1960 Sunbeam Rapier Mark III

Convertible Roadster Convertible

1,494 cc (91.2 cu in)

Manual

b3002923

Clear

Gasoline

This 1960 Sunbeam Rapier Convertible was 1 of only 452 convertibles ever made / making it extremely RARE. Go ahead and search the web and you will not find another one for sale.If you go to www.britishcarlinks.com you will find one that sold for $22,900.00Hagerty Valued this car at : average-- $19,995.00 excellent-- 25,950.00This car was appraised at $25,000.00 / Museum Quality CarThe car for sale here is at the excellent caliber / a Rare preserved exampleBody is a 9 / 10 with just a few minor imperfections interior is a 9 / 10 showing slight wearCar has a clear Title / not a registrationthe car has only 49k miles / and drives like a dreamthe manual trans shifts smoothly / with overdrivelook at that dash / burl walnut / British Jaeger instrumentsThe top can be positioned 3 ways / once again RareThe top is original as well as the bootThis car has the overedrive engine / same as the Alpine engineCar as original owners manual as well as other maintenance booksCar has original spare tire and jackRear windows are unusual in that they roll at a 45 degree angle as they go down The Sunbeam rapier Series III was introduced in September 1959.Rootes made subtle changes to the car's body which individually were insignificant but when combined, considerably altered its appearance. For example, the number of horizontal bars in each of the side grilles was increased from three to four and the boot lid acquired an oblong number plate recess and surround in place of the square one of the earlier cars. The most striking change was the redesigned side flash, now narrower and lower down the side of the car with the Rapier script on its rear end. The most subtle change, however, was a reduction in thickness of the windscreen pillars and a lowering of the scuttle line to give a 20% increase in windscreen area.Inside the Series III the changes were more evident. Rootes stylists completely redesigned the seats and interior panels and specified that they be trimmed in single colour vinyl with contrasting piping. For the first time, deep pile carpets were fitted as standard in the foot-wells (previous versions had rubber mats). The steering wheel, control knobs and switches were in black plastic instead of beige. The dashboard, instead of being, as in the earlier cars, padded metal and plastic, was made of solid burl walnut surmounted by a padded crash roll fitted with black-faced British Jaeger instruments.Mechanically, the Series III benefited from the design of the Sunbeam Alpine sports car with which it shared its engine. Although the engine's displacement was still 1,494 cc (91.2 cu in), it was fitted with a new eight-port aluminium cylinder head with an increased compression ratio and redesigned valves, and used a new, sportier camshaft. The twin Zenith carburettors from the Series II remained but were mounted on a new water heated inlet manifold. The result of these changes was a power increase of 5 bhp (4 kW; 5 PS) to 78 bhp (58 kW; 79 PS) at 5400 rpm.Gearbox changes included higher second, third and top gear ratios, and a reduced angle of gear lever movement to make for shorter lever travel and snappier changes. New front disc brakes significantly improved the Rapier's braking capability and widened its front track to give greater stability and improved road-holding. The Series III, of which 15,368 units were built (hardtop and convertible) Only 452 Convertibles were produced making this extremely rareI Invite you to come and look at CarDon't let this one get away / it should be in a MuseumAll questions text or call jeff 815-768-5335This Car is being sold locally / so make those offers