Lot Ended
Description
Only 34,000
miles from new; restored to Concours-winning condition in 1991 and meticulously
cared for since; few owners; multiple show-winner; transferable number plate;
huge history file; a peach of a car in all respects
As you can
imagine, we get to drive a huge variety of machinery at Brightwells, spanning
every decade of the motoring age, but it is always a pleasure to get behind the
wheel of a Sunbeam-Talbot 90. These are really fine cars with wonderful
build quality, supple ride and a fantastically smooth and willing engine,
offering a ‘feel-good factor’ that is hard to match this side of a Bristol or a
Rolls-Royce.
Launched in 1948, the 90 was built by the Rootes Group in
Ryton and was the last car to bear the Sunbeam-Talbot name. Available as a
four-door saloon or two-door drophead coupé, the 90 went through three versions
before production ended in 1954.
While the original version had a 64bhp
1,944cc side-valve four-cylinder engine derived from a pre-war Humber unit, the
MkII version had 70bhp courtesy of an enlarged 2,267cc engine plus a
much-improved chassis with independent front suspension. Uprated to 77bhp MkIIA
spec in 1952, the last and best model was the 80bhp MkIII of 1954, easily
distinguished by the three chromed portholes either side of the bonnet. The
Talbot name was dropped and it was marketed simply as the Sunbeam MkIII and
badged on the radiator shell as the Sunbeam Supreme.
Immensely strong and
blessed with fine handling for its day with a top speed nudging 100mph for the
MkIII version, the 90 enjoyed great success on the international rally circuit,
most famously in the hands of Stirling Moss and Shelia Van Damm on gruelling
events like the Monte Carlo and Alpine rallies.
This fabulous Sunbeam
MkIII comes with an extensive history file from new which will take the next
owner many happy hours to digest. First registered in March 1957, 1081 F was
originally used as a demonstrator by Sunbeam agents Warwick Wright of St Johns
Wood, London. In October 1957 when it had just over 1,000 miles on the clock, it
was sold to a Surrey bank manager, Frank Woodgate, the original purchase invoice
showing that it cost him £1,125 plus another £15 for full underseal
treatment.
It remained in the family for the next 22 years, Mr Woodgate
keeping a meticulous log of all the servicing carried out on the car up to 1974
by which time it had still only covered 16,650 miles (the speedo had failed in
March 1966 at 12,100 miles so it was replaced with a new one set to zero, as
recorded in the log book - see last photo). Ownership then transferred to his
wife Matilda, who finally sold it to the Penta car dealership in Reading when
her husband passed away in 1979.
It then had two more owners, both in
Reading, before being acquired by a Mr Geoff Leeks of High Wycombe in December
1985, by which time it was showing 8,600 miles. He promptly embarked on a
meticulous five-year restoration to restore the car to showroom condition, as
detailed in copious invoices and correspondence on file.
The car was sent
to Paul Stott of Personal Auto Services in Uttoxeter where it was stripped down
for a bare metal, glass out, doors off repaint in the original Dawn Mist over
Corinth Blue cellulose. All the door/window/boot rubbers were replaced along
with any trim items that were less than
perfect.
Despite the low mileage, the engine was
stripped and rebuilt with new piston rings, bearings, timing chain etc, the
cylinder head being rebuilt at the same time. The overdrive gearbox was also
completely rebuilt and a new clutch kit fitted, along with an overhaul of the
brakes, steering and suspension. A new cloth-bound wiring loom was fitted and
many of the electrical components were replaced. A full stainless steel exhaust
was specially made and fitted.
The interior was also refreshed with new
carpets and headlining, the original grey leather upholstery needing little more
than a deep clean.
Finally finished and back on the road in
1991, it was inspected for insurance purposes by the Chairman of The Association
of Rootes Car Clubs who adjudged that: “In view of its excellent condition, very
low mileage and exceptional originality, its replacement value must be not less
than £9,000”.
Mr Leeks kept the car for 25 years, adding a modest 7,000
miles to the odometer before finally selling it to a Worcestershire gentleman in
September 2010 by which time it was showing 15,734 miles. He was to
keep the car for 16 years and continued to look after it assiduously, as
detailed in invoices on file.
Aside from regular servicing and waxoil
treatment, noteworthy new parts during his ownership include: new aluminium fuel
tank; new fuel pump; new water pump; new brake linings and wheel cylinders; new
front dampers and new window seals.
In June 2014 at an indicated 18k
miles it got a new set of Avon Turbospeed tyres. In 2020 at 20,500 miles, the
gearbox and the overdrive unit were fully reconditioned by Nicol Transmissions
of Kidderminster, the gearbox being removed and refitted by Midland Classic
Resorations of Ombersley who also fitted a new clutch, the bill for this lot
coming to a whisker under £4,000.
The previous owner also took the car to
various shows and scooped several awards, including Best Saloon at the Sunbeam
National Rally in 2013; Best in Show at Arley Arboretum in 2014; Best in Class
at Shelsley Walsh and Best in Class at Stafford Castle in 2015; Best Saloon at
the Sunbeam National Rally at Charlecote Park in 2019.
As Mr Woodgate did
in the 1950s and ‘60s, the previous owner also kept a detailed log of every
journey made in the car during his 16-year ownership and kept it stored inside a
Carcoon in a nice dry garage when not in use.
The
current owner acquired the car via Brightwells earlier this year. A competent
mechanic who ran a fleet of classic cars for wedding hire use before he retired,
he has improved the Sunbeam still further. This includes: two new front tyres;
steering idler pin and bushes replaced; new electric fuel pump; charging system
rectified; 74 degrees C summer thermostat fitted plus a careful
tune-up.
He has covered around 100 miles in the
car and tells us that it runs beautifully and does not overheat, even
in the extreme temperatures we have been enduring lately, with good 50psi oil
pressure when hot. He advises that the brake linings fitted by the previous
owner are not fully bedded in yet so the car needs to be driven carefully until
they are.
The large history file includes no
fewer than 37 old MOTs from 1963 – 2024 to warrant the mileage which currently
stands at 21,788 miles plus 12,100 miles prior to the speedo change in 1966
which gives 33,888 miles in total.
As you can see in the photos, this
pampered and much-loved Sunbeam is in wonderful condition throughout, with
excellent paintwork and beautifully mellowed original upholstery. It has been
starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with
healthy oil pressure and bags of grunt from that lovely Alpine Rally-winning
engine. The icing on the cake is the original 1081 F number plate, which is
transferable and no doubt has a significant value of its own.
It is only
reluctantly being sold because, regrettably, our vendor has recently suffered a
fall which means he can no longer drive the car.
Surely the nicest and
lowest mileage example remaining, this Sunbeam MkIII is no doubt
capable of scooping more silverware on the show circuit, should the fortunate
new owner feel so inclined.
Consigned by James Dennison –
07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com