A Short History of Sunbeam
Bicycle-maker Sunbeam built its first motorcar in 1899. During three decades of extensive racing, Sunbeam became the first British marque to win a major international event, the 1923 French Grand Prix, with Sir Henry Segrave at the wheel. On five occasions, Sunbeams held the world land speed record.
Sunbeam became part of the Rootes Group in 1935 and shortly disappeared as a separate marque until after World War II, when Rootes revived the name for its new two-seater Sunbeam Alpine (derived from the Sunbeam-Talbot 90) in 1953. In major European rallyes, with up-and-coming stars such as Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorne, and women's champ Sheila Van Damm behind the wheel, Sunbeams won numerous individual and team trophies.
The Sunbeam Rapier (a sporty version of the Raymond Leowy-designed Hillman Minx) was introduced in 1955, followed in 1959 by an all-new Sunbeam Alpine sportscar. Influenced by the Ford T-Bird and other big-finned American cars, the Alpine was a styling departure from the usual British sportscars, and featured roll-up windows and a water-tight softtop. Rapier and Alpine rallyists collected more trophies for Rootes through the early 1960s. The Alpine's finest moment came at a different venue - the 24 Hours of LeMans. Co-driven by Rootes' top drivers, Peter Harper and Peter Proctor, a Harrington-prepared Alpine finished 16th overall at the 1961 LeMans, in the process capturing the second most valuable trophy - the Index of Thermal Efficiency.
Seeking ways to improve the performance of the Alpine led to the development of Rootes' most notable production car. Without knowledge of upper management, a Ford V8-powered Alpine prototype was built for Ian Garrard, Rootes' West Coast sales manager, by Carroll Shelby, creator of the Cobra. When finally shipped to England, the prototype quickly won over Rootes' engineers and company chairman William 'Billy' Rootes, who test-drove and personally authorized production of the Sunbeam Tiger, starting in 1964.
Named after the 1925 land speed record holder, the Tiger quickly became a formidable rallye and road circuit competitor. In the U.S., the Jim Adams-driven/Doane Spencer-prepared 'Hollywood Sports Tiger' regularly took on Cobras, Corvettes and Shelby Mustangs - and won! Total production reached over 7,000 by 1967.
Sunbeam became part of the Rootes Group in 1935 and shortly disappeared as a separate marque until after World War II, when Rootes revived the name for its new two-seater Sunbeam Alpine (derived from the Sunbeam-Talbot 90) in 1953. In major European rallyes, with up-and-coming stars such as Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorne, and women's champ Sheila Van Damm behind the wheel, Sunbeams won numerous individual and team trophies.
The Sunbeam Rapier (a sporty version of the Raymond Leowy-designed Hillman Minx) was introduced in 1955, followed in 1959 by an all-new Sunbeam Alpine sportscar. Influenced by the Ford T-Bird and other big-finned American cars, the Alpine was a styling departure from the usual British sportscars, and featured roll-up windows and a water-tight softtop. Rapier and Alpine rallyists collected more trophies for Rootes through the early 1960s. The Alpine's finest moment came at a different venue - the 24 Hours of LeMans. Co-driven by Rootes' top drivers, Peter Harper and Peter Proctor, a Harrington-prepared Alpine finished 16th overall at the 1961 LeMans, in the process capturing the second most valuable trophy - the Index of Thermal Efficiency.
Seeking ways to improve the performance of the Alpine led to the development of Rootes' most notable production car. Without knowledge of upper management, a Ford V8-powered Alpine prototype was built for Ian Garrard, Rootes' West Coast sales manager, by Carroll Shelby, creator of the Cobra. When finally shipped to England, the prototype quickly won over Rootes' engineers and company chairman William 'Billy' Rootes, who test-drove and personally authorized production of the Sunbeam Tiger, starting in 1964.
Named after the 1925 land speed record holder, the Tiger quickly became a formidable rallye and road circuit competitor. In the U.S., the Jim Adams-driven/Doane Spencer-prepared 'Hollywood Sports Tiger' regularly took on Cobras, Corvettes and Shelby Mustangs - and won! Total production reached over 7,000 by 1967.
The end of Rootes Motors
Financial troubles forced Rootes into the arms of Chrysler beginning in 1964, culminating in a 1967 takeover. What happened? In June 1964, Rootes Motors announced Chrysler Corporation would take a 30% interest in their ordinary capital, offering current shareholders double the market price, and a 50% share in the non-voting preference capital for almost three times market price. The purchase would leave control in British hands. On completion, Rootes family holdings would still exceed those of Chrysler Corporation. The purchase was completed in October 1964.
During 1966, the holdings were increased to 45% of ordinary shares and 65% of non-voting shares. In January 1967, holdings were increased to about 2/3 of Rootes capital. Rootes Motors Limited changed names to Chrysler UK Limited at midnight on June 30, 1970.
Within a year, the new U.S. managers, who had little interest in competition or in producing a car with a competitor’s engine, discontinued both the Tiger and Alpine.
During 1966, the holdings were increased to 45% of ordinary shares and 65% of non-voting shares. In January 1967, holdings were increased to about 2/3 of Rootes capital. Rootes Motors Limited changed names to Chrysler UK Limited at midnight on June 30, 1970.
Within a year, the new U.S. managers, who had little interest in competition or in producing a car with a competitor’s engine, discontinued both the Tiger and Alpine.
Police Tigers?! A fun story from 1966
The Rootes Archive Centre Trust
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The Rootes Archive Centre Trust was founded in 2004 by members of the Association of Rootes Car Clubs (ARCC) to preserve the history of the Rootes Group.
You can visit them in person. They're located at: Rootes Archive Centre Trust, Unit 15, Apollo Park, Ironstone Lane, Wroxton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 6AY, UK You can support them in various ways. Find out how on their website: https://www.rootesarchive.org/become-a-friend-of-the-archive/ |
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