1968 Sunbeam Rapier Fastback – Today’s Fastback Tempter

By: James Robinson, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 18.07.2017

Nothing like two-door ’60s motoring

The Sunbeam Rapier Fastback coupe was built between 1967 and 1976, with just over 42,000 being built in its life time.

The Rapier was part of the Rootes Arrow range of cars, which were vehicles produced under numerous different badge-engineered marques by the Rootes Group, later known as Chrysler Europe.

This model was designed to have sporting intentions from its inception, and featured a 1725cc, four-cylinder engine with twin Stromberg carburettors and produced 66kW (88hp).

This power was mated to either a three-speed manual transmission that came with overdrive as standard, or a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission.

Top speed for the Rapier was an impressive 166km/h and, when it was new, the Fastback was timed at roughly 13 seconds from rest to 100km/h.

Production of the coupe took place at the Rootes Group’s Ryton-on-Dunsmore manufacturing plant in Britain and, when production ceased in 1976, the Rapier was discontinued without replacement. 

This example is a 1968 model and, according to the seller, is an Australian delivered vehicle, making it quite rare.

The seller adds that the vehicle is equipped with the three-speed manual with overdrive and has only had three owners from new.

The Rapier Fastback coupe is $18,950 and anyone keen on this quaint British-made sports car can view the full listing here.

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