Rootes slimmed the windscreen pillars and dropped the scuttle line on the Series III Rapier for a 20% bigger windscreen — the subtlest change nobody noticed.
Median 90 hp across 34 similar cars
Lead trim: 1,494 cc OHV (78 bhp)
Sunbeam Rapier Series III1959–1961
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Sunbeam Rapier Series III yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactRootes slimmed the windscreen pillars and dropped the scuttle line on the Series III Rapier for a 20% bigger windscreen — the subtlest change nobody noticed.
The Series III was introduced in September 1959, with subtle changes to the body which together considerably altered its appearance, including a lowered scuttle line giving a 20% increase in windscreen area, a redesigned interior with burr walnut dashboard and, for the first time, deep pile carpets. Mechanically it benefited from the design of the Sunbeam Alpine sports car with which it shared its engine: still 1,494 cc, it had a new eight-port aluminium cylinder head with an increased compression ratio, redesigned valves and a sportier camshaft, with the twin Zenith carburettors on a new water-heated inlet manifold, a power increase of 5 bhp to 78 bhp at 5400 rpm. New front disc brakes significantly improved the braking capability, and 15,368 were produced.
Collectors Spotted in the Sunbeam Rapier Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Sunbeam Rapier yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,494 cc OHV (78 bhp) | 1959–1961 | 1.5 L Inline-4 | 78 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rootes tilted the Fastback Rapier's engine to the right — purely so the bonnet line could sit lower, a styling trick shared across the whole Arrow range.
The most improved Rapier was also the one nobody bought — just 3,759 Series Vs were built before it was dropped in 1967, making it the rarest of the whole Series run.
The real new 'Series IV' Rapier never came out as a Rapier at all — Rootes redirected that design into the Humber Sceptre, and reworked the old car to wear the Series IV badge instead.
The Series IIIA looked and felt identical to the Rapier it replaced — every change under the skin was aimed purely at durability, not difference.
Rootes slimmed the windscreen pillars and dropped the scuttle line on the Series III Rapier for a 20% bigger windscreen — the subtlest change nobody noticed.
Rootes launched the Rapier Series II by flying nine cars out to Monte Carlo so the press could try them right as the 1958 rally wrapped up.
Building a single Series I Rapier took three cities: Pressed Steel built the shell, Thrupp & Maberly in London painted and trimmed it, then it shipped again to Coventry just to get its engine.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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