Sunbeam Rapier
Every Sunbeam Rapier generation in the Burbles catalogue — complete specs, rarity tiers, interactive 3D cards, and the collectors who have spotted them on the street.
- Lineage Span
- 1955–1976 7 generations · 9 published trims
- Power Evolution
- 62.5 → 91 hp Base lead-trim output across eras
- Catalogue Rarity
- 7 Legendary 7 Legendary
All 7 Sunbeam Rapier Generations
Each generation deals in its rarity tier’s alloy with its engine disc, lead specs, and first spotter record. Click into any generation for full trims and market figures.
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.
Collectors Who Spotted the Sunbeam Rapier
No member has published a public street spot of the Sunbeam Rapier yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Sunbeam Rapier Generation-by-Generation Comparison
Lead figures across every published generation, newest to oldest. Select any generation to inspect all trims and engine options.
| Generation | Years | Tier & Rarity | Engine | Power & Torque | 0–60 mph | Weight | Trims | First Spotter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapier Fastback (1967–1976) | 1967–1976 | Legendary | 1.7L I4 | 88 hp | — | — | 2 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Rapier Series V (1965–1967) | 1965–1967 | Legendary | 1.7L I4 | 91 hp | 14.1 s | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Rapier Series IV (1963–1965) | 1963–1965 | Legendary | 1.6L I4 | 84 hp · 91 lb-ft | 17.0 s | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Rapier Series IIIA (1961–1963) | 1961–1963 | Legendary | 1.6L I4 | 80 hp · 88 lb-ft | — | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Rapier Series III (1959–1961) | 1959–1961 | Legendary | 1.5L I4 | 78 hp | — | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Rapier Series II (1958–1959) | 1958–1959 | Legendary | 1.5L I4 | 73 hp | 20.2 s | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Rapier Series I (1955–1958) | 1955–1958 | Legendary | 1.4L I4 | 63 hp | — | — | 2 trims → | Unclaimed |
See a Sunbeam Rapier on the street, point Burbles at it, and that generation’s card goes in your binder with your own photo and serial number. Own one? Add it to your garage in the app.