Lot Ended
Description
Ex-New
Zealand; major mechanical overhaul about 12 years ago including MkIII engine;
floor-change gearbox; new tyres; runs beautifully; driven 15 miles to the
sale
The final motor car to proudly wear the
distinguished Sunbeam-Talbot name, the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 was unveiled in 1948 with confident Trans-Atlantic styling
clearly aimed at the crucial export markets. Its sweeping, chrome-laden
coachwork and luxuriously appointed interior —
trimmed in high-quality hide and accented with elegant white Bakelite fittings
—
perfectly captured the optimistic spirit of the early post-war
years.
Offered in period as either a four-door
saloon or the more glamorous two-door drophead coupé, the model evolved through
three iterations before production concluded in 1954. The MkII variant,
introduced in 1950, benefited from a stiffer chassis and independent front
suspension with coil springs, while the engine grew from 1,944cc to 2,267cc with
overhead valves. With 70bhp available, the car was capable of an impressive
85mph, and just 5,493 examples were produced before the arrival of the MkIIA in
late 1952.
Built in August 1951, the handsome
MkII Drophead Coupé offered here was coachbuilt by the esteemed firm of Thrupp
& Maberly and formed part of the marque’s important export programme. While
many crossed the Atlantic to North America, this desirable factory
right-hand-drive example instead travelled some 12,000 miles across the Indian
Ocean to New Zealand.
The original New Zealand
logbook confirms supply new via Gardner Motors of Dunedin in November 1951,
after which the car appears to have remained in the Dunedin area with four
owners through to 1974. An undated note on file records that it was believed to
be one of only six such cars in New Zealand and that it underwent a
comprehensive four-year restoration, including retrimming in new Connolly hide.
The same note highlights the presence of the optional tachometer and overdrive
gearbox.
Repatriated to the United Kingdom in
March 1991, an accompanying MOT records 10,794 miles at that time, with only
around 4,000 miles added since. The odometer currently displays 15,884 miles.
The V5C lists five former UK keepers, the first being Mr D. Herbert of
Nottinghamshire, a plastic surgeon, who retained the car briefly before selling
to a Mr Radley of North Yorkshire — only to reacquire it shortly thereafter and
keep it until at least 2008. During this period the car was treated to a
substantial recommissioning by Sherwood Restorations at a cost of
£1,037.
Subsequently owned by Mr Cornish of
Monmouthshire until 2022, the bulk of invoices on file date from 2012–2013, when
the car was the subject of extensive mechanical attention using parts supplied
by Sunbeam Talbot Spares of Barnsley. Most notably, a later MkIII engine of the
same 2,267cc capacity — but offering an additional 10bhp and raising the MkIII’s
top speed to 94mph — was installed at a cost of £3,000. It is believed the
desirable floor-change gearbox was fitted at the same time, a considerable
improvement over the original column shift, complete with overdrive on third and
fourth gears.
Further expenditure covered a new
clutch; comprehensive brake overhaul with MkIII drums and new master cylinder;
reconditioned carburettor; rebuilt distributor; new HT leads and oil filter;
replacement flywheel and core plugs; new engine and gearbox mountings; fresh
door, boot and windscreen rubbers; new mirrors and boot handle; upgraded
lighting including spot lamps and reversing lights; and period-style raised
letter number plates, among numerous other items.
In May 2022, showing 13,971 miles, the car was purchased by Mr Drew
of Norfolk from the Goytre Car Company of Pontypool for £19,000. Our vendor
acquired the Sunbeam-Talbot from Brightwells approximately twelve months ago and
has continued careful maintenance, including a further carburettor rebuild and
routine servicing. We are advised that the car drives every bit as well as it
presents, and during our time on site it has started promptly and run
beautifully, displaying strong torque, a smooth and easy gearchange, and a
healthy 55psi oil pressure. The hood and tonneau cover are reported to be in
equally pleasing condition.
Having been driven
some 15 miles to the sale, this charming and well-sorted drophead is offered
only reluctantly, the vendor feeling it deserves more regular use than his
current circumstances allow.
Contact
james.booth@brightwells.com