1951 Sunbeam Talbot 90 MkII

Description

Four owners from new, the current since 2008; uprated brake drums; original wheel spats; a usable example of this sporting saloon

Launched in 1948, the Sunbeam Talbot 90 was a sporting car built by the Rootes Group in Ryton, Coventry, and was the last car to bear the Sunbeam Talbot name. The body was completely new and available as a four-door saloon or two-door drophead coupé. The car went through three versions before production ended in 1954.

The original version had a 64bhp 1,944cc side-valve four-cylinder engine derived from a pre-war Humber unit carried over from the Sunbeam Talbot 2-Litre. The chassis was based on the Ten model but with wider track and had beam axles front and rear and leaf springs. The brakes were updated to have hydraulic operation and the rear wheel openings were covered by removable spats.

In 1950 the MkII version got a new chassis with independent front suspension using coil springs while the engine was enlarged to 2,267cc and the cylinder head changed to overhead valves. Power was up at 70bhp. A coupé version tested by ‘The Motor’ in 1952 had a top speed of 85mph and could accelerate from 0-60 in 20 seconds. They were sporting cars in their day and were very successful in International Rallies, driven by Shelia Van Damm amongst others.

First registered in Kent in July 1951, this MkII has had just four owners from new, according to the V5C. Our vendor inherited the car in 2008 from a friend who had owned it since 1993. Always kept in running order, the car has been very lightly used in the current ownership, mainly to attend local shows.

We are told that it has been fitted with radial tyres to improve roadholding and the brakes have been uprated with larger drums to enhance stopping power. Flashing indicators have been fitted to make it more suited to modern road conditions. Shortly before the auction it was fitted with a new battery and the fuel pump was overhauled.

It has been repainted in two-tone silver-over-blue at some point in the past and it retains its original wheel spats which are in good condition and currently stored in the boot – rare items which have usually gone astray by now. An original maintenance chart is also present, along with a copy of a period Autocar road test and an invoice for some service/MOT work in 1997.

As you can see in the photos, it is in generally presentable condition with a nicely mellowed original red leather interior. Starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with good 50psi oil pressure, it is only reluctantly for sale due to an impending house move.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com