Sunbeam Rapier History

The Sunbeam Rapier was announced at the London Motor Show in October 1955 as a stylish two-door performance derivative of the Rootes 'Audax' range — a sporty pillarless hardtop above the Hillman Minx in the lineup, with Studebaker-influenced styling. The Series I ran 1955–58 (7,477 produced); subsequent series peaked with the Series II (15,151 units, 1958–59) and Series IIIA (17,354 units, 1961–63). A competition Rapier finished fifth on the 1958 Monte Carlo Rally driven by Peter Harper.

In October 1967 the Rapier moved to the new Rootes Arrow platform — shared with the Hillman Hunter — in a completely new fastback coupé body. This generation ran until 1976 and produced 46,204 units, far outstripping the earlier cars. The performance H120 variant, introduced in October 1968, used a Holbay Engineering-tuned 110 hp engine with twin Weber carburettors and was identifiable by a bootlid spoiler and blacked-out front grille.

The Arrow Rapier ran essentially unchanged until production ceased in 1976, making it one of the last cars to carry the Sunbeam badge. It was discontinued without a direct replacement — Chrysler had no equivalent coupé in its post-Rootes range.