The Series IIIA looked and felt identical to the Rapier it replaced — every change under the skin was aimed purely at durability, not difference.
Median 95 hp across 49 similar cars
Lead trim: 1,592 cc OHV (80.25 bhp)
Sunbeam Rapier Series IIIA1961–1963
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Sunbeam Rapier Series IIIA 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.
FactThe Series IIIA looked and felt identical to the Rapier it replaced — every change under the skin was aimed purely at durability, not difference.
In 1961 the Series IIIA was announced with the Series II Sunbeam Alpine 1,592 cc engine, externally and internally identical to the Series III, with improvements directed solely at durability: engine capacity was increased and a stiffer crankshaft fitted, with larger-diameter connecting rod bearings and modified oil and water pumps. Power output increased from 78 bhp to 80.25 bhp at 5,100 rpm and torque from 84 lb·ft at 3500 rpm to 88.2 lb·ft at 3,900 rpm. The Series IIIA included an increased-diameter front anti-roll bar, a redesigned clutch bell housing and a fresh-air heater as standard, and its maximum speed was 90 mph, with 0–60 mph taking 19.3 seconds. When production ceased, 17,354 units had been built.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,592 cc OHV (80.25 bhp) | 1961–1963 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 80.25 hp | 88.2 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
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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