FIVE TRIALS
We enjoy the Sunbeam Rapier and put it fully to the test
1 DAILY DRIVING
The Rapier’s grand tourer nature comes into play here. It’s comfortable cruising at the national limit, so motorways needn’t be avoided, there’s enough verve to get back up to speed again after leaving a junction or a roundabout, while the gearbox offers easy changes in traffic. What’s more, while you might expect those huge C-pillars to compromise rearward visibility, actually they don’t. If there is on negative to consider, it’s its large turning circle, which doesn’t lend itself to straightforward low-speed manoeuvres. However, the heating and ventilation system is top-notch, something that’s especially welcome at this time of year.
2 IN THE SERVICE BAY
The mounts for the MacPherson struts do eat into the under-bonnet space, but overall access is good. The carburettors are within easy reach, as are the dipstick, washer bottle and battery. Oil changes on these cars are recommended every 5000 miles (or annually), while the gearbox and axle oil should be swapped every 30,000 miles (or every five years). Brakes and suspension are all conventional and shouldn’t pose too many headaches, while the fact that there are no grease points to worry about is another big plus.
3 ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT
Given that ‘Arrow’ Fastbacks were in production for nine years, with just 46,000 built, they were hardly a common sight even in period. Today, estimates from HowManyLeft. co.uk suggest that there are fewer than 400 registered with the DVLA, either taxed or on SORN. However, we can think of no event organiser with the audacity to allow a genuine Rootesmobile such as this to be turned away from their event. The Sunbeam Rapier Owners’ Club can assist you with parts and advice to keep your car on the road, but also holds its own schedule of events, and is sure to welcome a fellow enthusiast.
4 THE LONG WEEKEND
The Rapier has a boot rather than a tailgate, but it is generously-sized nonetheless, while plenty of oddments can be placed on the huge rear parcel shelf (as long as you don’t mind them being on show). The front seats tilt forward, allowing access to the seating at the back – though whoever’s clambering inside will definitely feel as though they’ve drawn the short straw – and although the venerable 1.7-litre four-pot doesn’t exactly sip at fuel, it’s not terrible at around 28mpg. However, the generous 15-gallon fuel tank means that there’ll be far fewer interruptions to your faroff jaunts than you might have been expecting.
5 THE B-ROAD BLAST
Although we’ve established the Rapier isn’t a sports coupé, it can made to string a series of S-bends together. It helps that the gear ratios are such that overdrive third has the engine spinning at almost exactly the same speed as it does in fourth. It struck us as odd until we realised that on twisting roads, where you want to keep the engine in that mid-range sweet spot, you can do so without ever removing your hand from the wheel, by flicking the switch for overdrive instead. This is especially helpful because the steering does require some determined twirling at times. Still, that’s all part of the fun!