Sunbeam-Talbot 90

Last updated

Sunbeam-Talbot 90
1955 Sunbeam MkIII sports saloon (29050565325).jpg
Sunbeam MkIII
registered July 1955
Overview
Manufacturer Sunbeam-Talbot (Rootes Group)
Production1948–1954
20,381 built [1]
Body and chassis
Class Compact executive car (D)
Body style 4-door 4-light sports saloon
2-door drophead coupe
Related Sunbeam-Talbot 80
Powertrain
Engine
  • 1944 cc I4 (until 1952)
  • 2267 cc I4 (from 1952)
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 97.5 in (2,476 mm) [2]
Length167.5 in (4,254 mm) [2]
Width62.5 in (1,588 mm) [2]
Height59 in (1,499 mm) [2]
Chronology
Predecessor Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre
SuccessorSunbeam Mk III

The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 is an automobile which was produced and built by Sunbeam-Talbot from 1948 to 1954 and continued as the Sunbeam Mk III from 1954 to 1957.

Contents

The 90 was launched in 1948 along with the smaller-engined Sunbeam-Talbot 80 but many features dated back to the pre war Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre. The body, available as a 4-door 4-light sports saloon or 2-door drophead coupe, appeared completely new though it continued some major pressings. The saloon featured the original Aero-Minx "pillarless" join between the glass on the rear door and the rear quarter window with its distinctive Sunbeam-Talbot reverse slope.

This car went through three versions before the name was changed to Sunbeam Mk III (without "Talbot") in 1954.

The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA was the last car to bear the Sunbeam-Talbot name.

Sunbeam-Talbot 90 1948–1950

Sunbeam Talbot 90 with its family's "pillarless" rear window and distinctive reverse slope Sunbeam Talbot 90 Rear Window.JPG
Sunbeam Talbot 90 with its family's "pillarless" rear window and distinctive reverse slope
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 sports saloon 1950 Sunbeam-Talbot (9608263524).jpg
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 sports saloon
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 drophead coupe Sunbeam Talbot 90 Convertible Gleaming in the Sunshine - Side - Westminster - July 2013 (9560880289).jpg
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 drophead coupé

Announced at the beginning of July 1948 this new car by then had been on display in New York, Boston and Toronto. [3] The 1,944 cc four-cylinder engine was redesigned from the preceding Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre and still fundamentally the design of the 1937 Hillman 14 now badged Humber Hawk. Now the engine had been given a new cast-iron cylinder head holding overhead valves, the pushrods rising through the old valve guides. Output could now reach 64 bhp (48 kW) at 4100 rpm. The sports saloon weighs 26.25 cwt (2,940 lb; 1,334 kg) The chassis with beam axles and semi-elliptic leaf springs all round was scarcely changed from the same 2 Litre model but provided a wider track. The old basic Lockheed brakes were updated to hydraulic operation. The inevitable post war steering column gear-change proved one of the better versions of this new fad. [4] Close-coupled sports saloon and drophead coupé bodies were fitted to the chassis and the rear wheel openings were covered by metal "spats".

The Times reported the 90 was fast, being capable of reaching 80 mph (130 km/h), (it was independently timed at 76.6 mph (123.3 km/h)), it was well-sprung and there was no wind-roar when cruising at 60 mph (97 km/h) to 70 mph (110 km/h). The intermediate gears were remarkably quiet. The steering column gear lever was light to operate but it required several tries to engage reverse. The springing was not up to the standard provided by the independent front suspension. The sports saloon on test leaked into the interior in several places. The tester liked the variable driving position, the seat height can also be adjusted. "This is one of the prettiest cars made today anywhere." [5]

4,000 were made from 1948 until 1950. [1]

Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkII 1950–1952

Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II sports saloon Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally 2016 DSC 0336 (cropped).JPG
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II sports saloon
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II drophead coupe Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk II cabriolet.JPG
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II drophead coupé

For September 1950 and the Earls Court Motor Show the engine was enlarged to 2267 cc by increasing the bore ¼ inch from 75 mm to 81 mm. The increased engine block capacity was shared with the company's 1950 Humber Hawk but the Humber retained (until 1954) the old side-valve arrangement. The 90 engine now developed 70 bhp (52 kW), and could pull a higher rear axle ratio for more comfortable cruising. [4] The new engine output compared with only 58 bhp (43 kW) for the Humber. The favourable power-to-weight ratio meant that the Talbot could be "geared quite high" and still provide impressive acceleration where needed for "quick overtaking". [6]

The existing chassis was fitted with independent front suspension using coil springs mounted on a specially shaped new cross-member. For some time this improvement was fitted only to export cars. [4]

The front of the 90's body was modified; the headlights were raised to meet international regulations and the fog and driving lights were moved and remounted to leave air inlet grilles on either side of the radiator. [4]

A coupé tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 85.2 mph (137.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.5 miles per imperial gallon (12.6 L/100 km; 18.7 mpgUS) was recorded. The test car cost £1393 including taxes. [2]

5493 were made. [1]

Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA 1952–1954

Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk IIA sports saloon pierced wheels without spats Sunbeam Talbot in profile.JPG
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk IIA sports saloon pierced wheels without spats
1954 Sunbeam Talbot 90 MkIIA (20566107986).jpg

The Mk IIA had a higher compression engine raising output to 77 bhp (57 kW). [1] To cater for the higher speeds the car was now capable of, the brakes were enlarged and to improve brake cooling the wheels were pierced.

Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA drophead coupe Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA.jpg
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA drophead coupé
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA drophead coupe Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA Rear.jpg
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA drophead coupé

The Sunbeam-Talbot MkIIA drophead coupé/convertible is the rarest of the Sunbeam-Talbots.

The rear wheel spats were no longer fitted. 10,888 were made between 1952 and 1954. [1]

Sunbeam Mk III

Sunbeam Mk III
Sunbeam MkIII.jpg
1956 Sunbeam Mk III
Overview
Manufacturer Rootes Group
Production1954–1957 [7]
2,250 built [7]
Assembly United Kingdom
Australia [8]
Body and chassis
Class Compact executive car (D)
Body style 4-door saloon [7]
2-door drophead coupe [7]
Powertrain
Engine 2267 cc Straight-4 [7]
Chronology
PredecessorSunbeam-Talbot 90 [7]

From 1954 to 1957 the car continued, but without the Talbot name and was marketed as the Sunbeam MkIII and badged on the radiator shell as Sunbeam Supreme. The drophead coupé was not made after 1955. [1]

There were some minor styling changes to the front with enlarged air intakes on each side of the radiator shell and three small portholes just below each side of the bonnet near to the windscreen. Duo-tone paint schemes were also available. Engine power was increased to 80 bhp (60 kW) [1] and overdrive became an option.

A Mk III tested by The Motor magazine in 1955 had a top speed of 93.6 mph (150.6 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.1 miles per imperial gallon (12.8 L/100 km; 18.4 mpgUS) was recorded. The test car cost £1191 including taxes. [9]

The main Rootes Group dealers in Leicester, Castles of Leicester, offered a conversion that moved the gearchange to the transmission tunnel, modified the cylinder head, fitted a bonnet air scoop and changed the way the boot lid opened. These models were not connected with the Sunbeam factory but are sometimes referred to as the Mk IIIS. Some 30-40 cars were modified. The revised gearchange was also offered as an after market accessory and was suitable for fitting to earlier models also. [10] [11]

Approximately 2250 were made. [1]

Sporting achievements

A Mk II was driven by Stirling Moss, Desmond Scannell and John Cooper to take second place in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally. [12]

A Sunbeam Mk III was outright winner of the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally.

In the Alpine Rally, Stirling Moss won a 'Coupe d'Or' (Gold cup) for three consecutive penalty-free runs in 1952, 1953 and 1954. The first in a Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II and the latter two in the Sunbeam Alpine derivative. The Sunbeam-Talbot team of Mk IIs won the team prize in 1952. [13]

A Mk III was the first car driven competitively by Jim Clark in driving tests and sprints around the Borders area of southern Scotland where he lived. Clark went on to become twice Formula 1 World Champion before being killed in a Formula 2 Race at Hockenheim in 1968. He is revered as being one of the best racing drivers of all time.

A 1951 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Drophead Coupé regularly appears as Bunty's car in British TV series "Father Brown" (2013). http://pics.imcdb.org/558/series5ep5-443_0312.jpg

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillman Minx</span> Motor vehicle

The Hillman Minx was a mid-sized family car that British car maker Hillman produced from 1931 to 1970. There were many versions of the Minx over that period, as well as badge-engineered variants sold by Humber, Singer, and Sunbeam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam Motor Car Company</span> Defunct British automobile manufacturer (1905-67)

Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited was a British automobile manufacturer with its works at Moorfields in Blakenhall, a suburb of Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, now West Midlands. Its Sunbeam name had been registered by John Marston in 1888 for his bicycle manufacturing business. Sunbeam motor car manufacture began in 1901. The motor business was sold to a newly incorporated Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited in 1905 to separate it from Marston's pedal bicycle business; Sunbeam motorcycles were not made until 1912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam Alpine</span> Two seat automobile built 1953–1975

The Sunbeam Alpine is a two-seater sports roadster/drophead coupé that was produced by the Rootes Group from 1953 to 1955, and then 1959 to 1968. The name was then used on a two-door fastback coupé from 1969 to 1975. The original Alpine was launched in 1953 as the first vehicle from Sunbeam-Talbot to bear the Sunbeam name alone since Rootes Group bought Clément-Talbot, and later the moribund Sunbeam from its receiver in 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam Rapier</span> Motor vehicle

The Sunbeam Rapier is an automobile produced by Rootes Group from 1955 until 1976, in two different body-styles, the "Series" cars and the later (1967–76) fastback shape, part of the "Arrow" range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riley RM</span> Motor vehicle

The Riley RM Series is an executive car which was produced by Riley from 1945 until 1955. It was the last model developed independently by Riley prior to the 1952 merger of Riley's still new owner Nuffield, with Austin to form BMC. The RM series was originally produced in Coventry, but in 1949 production moved to the MG works at Abingdon. The RM models were marketed as the Riley 1½ Litre and the Riley 2½ Litre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humber Super Snipe</span> Motor vehicle

The Humber Super Snipe is a car which was produced from 1938 to 1967 by British-based Humber Limited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lagonda 2.6-Litre</span> Motor vehicle

The Lagonda 2.6-Litre was an automobile produced in England by Lagonda from 1948 to 1953. It was the first model from that company following its purchase by David Brown in 1947, and was named for the new straight-6 engine which debuted with the car. The Lagonda straight-6 engine was designed by W. O. Bentley and would propel Lagonda's new parent company, Aston Martin, to fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lagonda 3-Litre</span> Motor vehicle

The Lagonda 3-Litre is an automobile which was produced by Aston Martin Lagonda from 1953 until 1958. It was the second Lagonda model of the David Brown/Aston Martin era. The 3-Litre was fitted with a higher displacement 2.9 L 140 bhp version of the twin overhead camshaft Lagonda Straight-6 engine designed by Walter Owen Bentley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daimler Conquest</span> Motor vehicle

The Daimler Conquest is an automobile which was produced by The Daimler Company Limited in the United Kingdom from 1953 to 1958. Based on the Lanchester Fourteen, the Conquest replaced the Daimler Consort. Sales were affected by increasing prices and by the fuel shortage caused by the Suez Crisis, and production ended by January 1958, before a replacement model was in production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standard Vanguard</span> Motor vehicle made in England

The Standard Vanguard is a car which was produced by the Standard Motor Company in Coventry, England, from 1947 until 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaguar Mark V</span> Motor vehicle

The Jaguar Mark V is a luxury automobile built by Jaguar Cars Ltd of Coventry in England from 1948 to 1951. It was available as a four-door Saloon (sedan) and a two-door convertible known as the Drop Head Coupé, both versions seating five adults. It was the first Jaguar with independent front suspension, first with hydraulic brakes, first with spats, first specifically designed to be produced in both Right and Left Hand Drive configurations, first with disc centre wheels, first with smaller wider 16" balloon tyres, first to be offered with sealed headlamps and flashing turn signals for the important American market, and the last model to use the pushrod engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humber Hawk</span> Motor vehicle

The Humber Hawk is a four-cylinder automobile manufactured from 1945 to 1967 by British-based Humber Limited.

British Light Steel Pressings Ltd was a company at Warple Way, Acton, London producing bodies for the vehicle industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam-Talbot</span>

Sunbeam-Talbot Limited was a British motor manufacturing business. It built upmarket sports-saloon versions under the parenthood of Rootes Group cars from 1938 to 1954. Its predecessor Clément-Talbot Limited had made Talbot automobiles from 1902 to 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillman Super Minx</span> Motor vehicle

The Hillman Super Minx is a family car which was produced by Hillman from 1961 to 1967. It was a slightly larger version of the Hillman Minx, from the period when the long-running Minx nameplate was applied to the "Audax" series of designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humber Pullman</span> Motor vehicle

The Humber Pullman is a four-door limousine which was introduced by the British Humber company in 1930 as a successor to the Humber 20/65 hp and long-wheelbase version of the Humber Snipe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillman 14</span> Motor vehicle

The Hillman Fourteen is a medium-sized 4-cylinder car announced by Hillman's managing director Spencer Wilks, a son-in-law of William Hillman, at the end of September 1925. This new Fourteen substantially increased Hillman's market share and remained on sale into 1931. During this time it was the main product of the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam-Talbot Ten</span> Motor vehicle

The Sunbeam-Talbot Ten is a compact executive car or small sports saloon manufactured by Rootes Group in their Clément-Talbot factory in North Kensington between 1938 and 1939, and then reintroduced after the Second World War and sold between 1945 and 1948. It was at first a two-door then a four-door sports saloon. A drophead coupé version and a sports tourer version were also available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre</span> Motor vehicle

The Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre is an automobile which was manufactured by Sunbeam-Talbot in the United Kingdom from 1939 until 1948. It was offered in 4-light sports saloon, foursome drophead coupé and 4-seater sports tourer body styles as well as a sports 2-seater. Production was suspended due to the Second World War and was resumed in 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam-Talbot 80</span> Motor vehicle

The Sunbeam-Talbot 80 is a 4-door 4-light sports saloon which was produced by English manufacturer Sunbeam-Talbot from 1948 to 1950.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Robson, Graham (2006). A-Z British Cars 1945–1980 . Devon, UK: Herridge & Sons. ISBN   0-9541063-9-3. OCLC   77797747.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Sunbeam-Talbot "90" Coupé". The Motor. 9 January 1952.
  3. A New Sunbeam-Talbot. The Times, Saturday, Jul 03, 1948; pg. 3; Issue 51114
  4. 1 2 3 4 Nickols, Ian; Karslake, Kent (1956), Motoring Entente, London: Cassell
  5. Testing A New Car. The Times, Friday, Sep 17, 1948; pg. 8; Issue 51179
  6. "Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Sports Saloon (road test)". Autocar . 22 September 1950.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945-1970, 1993, page 189
  8. Advertisement for Sunbeam Mk III and Alpine "Produced in the factory of Rootes Australia Limited", Modern Motor (magazine), March 1955, page 34
  9. "The Sunbeam Mk III Saloon". The Motor. 25 May 1955.
  10. Sedgwick, M.; Gillies.M (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945–1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN   1-870979-39-7. OCLC   29424733.
  11. "Conversion Kit Sunbeam Mk III Saloon". The Motor. 30 January 1957.
  12. Moss, Sir Stirling and Henry, Alan, All My Races, Haynes, 2009, ISBN   978 1 84425 700 3
  13. Martin Pfundner, Alpine Trials & Rallies 1910 to 1973, Veloce Publishing, 2005, ISBN   1-904788-95-5