Description

1955 Sunbeam MkIII

Few owners; only 58,500 miles indicated; recent new tyres; one of only 2,250 made; runs beautifully; utterly charming all round! 

The first Rootes design of the post-war era, the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 was launched in 1948 and featured a modified pre-war 2-litre chassis and an overhead valve version of the 2-litre Humber Hawk engine.
In 1950 the car was much improved in MkII form with a new cruciform chassis frame, independent front suspension, better brakes and an enlarged 2,267cc 70bhp engine. Stirling Moss proved the ability of the new car by coming second overall in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally, while works entries walked off with the Team Prize in the French Alpine Rally later in the year.
In 1952 the car was further upgraded to MkIIA spec now with 77bhp and in 1954 came the best model of all, the 80bhp Sunbeam MkIII, easily distinguished by the three portholes on either side of the bonnet. Blessed with fine handling for its day with spirited acceleration, a top speed of 95mph and bullet-proof reliability, it made for a very sporting saloon and won the Alpine Rally outright in 1955. Only around 2,250 were made before production came to an end in 1957.
First registered in Chester in July 1955, this lovely Sunbeam MkIII looks wonderful in Island Mist with a nicely mellowed red leather interior and has clearly been cherished by its previous owners. Nothing is known of the car’s early history, but an old green logbook shows that by 1970 it was owned by a Clarice Owen of Crewe who appears to have bought it from the Anchor Motor Company of Chester, the 53,000 miles on the clock at that time being said to be genuine.
In 1982 it was acquired by a Mr Wainwright of Northwich who appears to have used it until 2000, a dozen old MOTs showing that it only covered 4,500 miles during that 18-year period with various invoices to show routine maintenance including a complete new exhaust system in March 1993 at 57,947 miles.
It seems that the car was then taken off the road in 2000 and remained unused until 2019 when it was recommissioned, with invoices for five new tyres, new wheel cylinders, new brake hoses and a fuel pump rebuild. It then flew through its MOT in June 2020 with no advisories recorded and has barely covered 100 miles since, the odometer currently showing 58,543 miles.
Starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with a notably sweet-sounding engine, it really is a most charming car all round and retains its original Chester-issue number plate, XFM 761, which is transferable. We like it a lot!
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com