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Niche model seeks enthusiasts - Sunbeam Rapier in (historical) test

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Created on August 22, 1970

Text:

Dr. Paul Simsa

Photos:

mot / J. F. Drkosch

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mot / J. F. Drkosch

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Archiv

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - similarities with the Plymouth Barracuda are purely coincidental

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - there is a certain similarity to the Plymouth Barracuda

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Sunbeam Rapier (1967) - the new coupé in the Rootes-Arrow series

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - side view

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - sporty coupé with attractive lines

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - sporty-chic fastback coupé for four people

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - sporty cockpit with six instruments and perforated steering wheel spokes

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Sunbeam Rapier H 120 (1969) - Sport version with tear-off edge, rally stripes, two Weber twin carburetors and 110 SAE hp

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Sunbeam Rapier (1971) - hardtop coupé with fully retractable side windows without center pillars

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Sunbeam Alpine (1971) - entry-level model with painted C-pillar and 67 hp

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Sunbeam Rapier H 120 (1971) - the sporty top model

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - The 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine with two Zenith Stromberg carburetors produces 84 hp

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Sunbeam Rapier (1970) - Dimensions and weights

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Sunbeam Vogue (1970) - Diagrams for acceleration, speed and rpm compared to the Rapier

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Summary

The thinner the dealer network, the more difficult it is for foreign models on the German market - often unfairly. The Sunbeam Rapier was certainly not a perfect car. But it did offer a number of advantages such as an independent line, plenty of fresh air and the overdrive that never really arrived in continental Europe. This historical test report explains why the English coupé would have been well worth considering.

This article contains the following chapters

Well-used space
Wunderding Overdrive
mot overall verdict
Plus points
Minuses

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

One year after the sedan, the coupé was presented in the fall of 1967, based on the same chassis, but with its own body in all parts. Two-door, hatchback with lots of glass, side windows retractable without pillars. With 84 hp under the hood, it is a sporty motorized car, the ample dashboard equipment and the somewhat bucket-like shape of the seats also suit buyers with this tendency, but the Rapier does not have a sporty figure. The low roof section makes the beltline appear unusually high, the sides are very flat, and more than in the saloons, it is noticeable that it is a rather narrow car.

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