DECEMBER: 1963 SUNBEAM RAPIER IIIA

Paul Hughes and Sue Kennaby are this Sunbeam Rapier IIIA’s current custodians and told us how the Sunbeam was purchased as stopgap while Sue’s Minor was off the road having a new floor fitted. After fitting a new clutch and sorting of a few mechanical issues, the Rapier was pressed into action with the intention of selling it on when the Morris returned to the road. Before advertising the car, the couple decided to have the Rapier resprayed, although before the new paint could be applied, a lot of new metal needed to be welded into the bottom half of the car. What was first intended to be a budget renovation prior to selling the car, eventually turned into a major project and today this two-tone 1.5 litre Series IIIA Rapier is considered to be one of the best in the country.