Sunbeam Rapier Series V

Production	1965 to 1967
Class	Motor Car
Produced	3759
Body style	2 door saloon
Engine	cylinders: 4 1,725 cu cm
wheel base	86 in, 2,184 mm
overall length	156 in, 3,962 mm
overall width	60.50 in, 1,537 mm
overall height	52 in, 1,321 mm
dry weight	2,091 1b, 948 kg

The Sunbeam Rapier Series V  was the last of the classic shape Rapier Series built in the 1960s from  1965 to 1967.

History

 Rootes decided to have one more go at updating the well-liked old Sunbeam Rapier Pending completion of the new Fastback Rapier. In September 1965 they introduced the Series V version which looked exactly like the Series IV inside and out except for badges on wings and boot which now said "1725", revealing the presence of an important new engine.

Rootes had extensively redesigned their old four cylinder engine to increase its capacity to 1725 cc. Along the way it had acquired a new crankshaft with five main bearings, making the unit stronger and smoother. This was the strong engine that would power the Series V Rapier and be developed for many subsequent models.capacity 105.2 cu. in. (1 ,725 c.c.), push-rod operated, overhead valve unit, developing 91 gross b.h.p. at 5,500 r.p.m.5-bearing crankshaft; 3-bearing camshaft; aluminium head, aluminium alloy pistons with fully floating gudgeon pins; cooling by centrifugal pump and 4-blade fan; full pressure lubrication system by high efficiency eccentric lobe-type pump; full flow Oil filter Solex compound twin choke carburetter; mechanical fuel pump; 10 gal. fuel tank coil ignition, centrifugal and vacuum ignition control; 4-point 'cushion power' engine mountings.

To further update the car, they changed its polarity from positive to negative earth and fitted an alternator in place of the dynamo. They also devised a new twin pipe exhaust system so that the new engine could breathe more easily.The effect of these changes was to increase the Rapier's maximum speed to 95 mph (153 km/h) and reduce its time from rest to 60 mph (97 km/h) to 14.1 seconds.

Gearbox single dry plate in. diaphragm clutch with hydraulic operation; 4-speed gearbox, synchromesh on all forward gears, centre floor gear control; needle roller, reverse spline propeller shaft, hypoid final drive, ratio 3.89:1For the braking Lockheed hydraulic servo assisted disc front brake, drum rear the suspension  independent coil spring front suspension, semi-elliptic rear springs; anti-roll bar at front,telescopic direct acting shock absorbers. Burman recirculating ball-type steering with triple track and linkage; all greasing points eliminated; 2-spoke adjustable steering wheel with horn ring; pressed disc wheels; 6.00-13 tubeless tyres; 4-corner jacking system; spare wheel, with cover and tools in luggage compartment.The electrics 12-volt lighting and starting equipment; built-in head lamps and separate side lamps; twin stop/tail lamps; separate flashing indicators; separate reflectors; independent rear number plate illuminations; reverse lamp.

Inside and body,indirect instrument lighting; dual 2-speed automatic park windscreen wipers; screen washer, interior lamp; cigar lighter; water temperature gauge, fuel gauge and ammeter, speedometer, rev. counter and warning lights on walnut veneered facia, the whole surmounted by foamed plastic crash roll. 2-door all-steel Body with integral' underframe; individual front seats adjustable fore and aft, with rake, side armrest on passenger's door and at rear;curved screen and wrap round backlight, lockable no-draught front ventilators and retractable rear quarter lights; fresh air heater and ventilation system with controls; push-button exterior door handles with private lock on each side; facia glovebox; rear parcel shelf and front parcel tray; ashtrays front and rear; 2 sun visors; balanced bonnet and spring-assisted boot lid; full width bumpers and overriders with generous wrap round; roof trimmed in special washable material.

Optional extras
as follows: Laycock de Normanville overdrive; clock; whitewall tyres; radio.

Unfortunately, for all its good features, the Series V just didn't sell. By the time it was discontinued in June 1967, only 3759 units had been built, making it the rarest of all the "Series" Sunbeam Rapiers. 

PERFORMANCE
Engine capacity: 105.26 cu in, 1,725 cu cm
Fuel consumption: 28.5 m/imp gal, 23.8 m/US
Max speed: 102 mph, 164.2 km/h
max power (SAE): 100 hp at 5,500 rpm
max torque (SAE): 110 1b ft, 15.2 kg m at 3,700 rpm
max engine rpm: 6,400
specific power: 58 hp/l
power-weight ratio: 20.9 lb/hp, 9.5 kg/hp
acceleration:0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 8.6 sec
speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 17.8 mph,28.7km/h.
max speeds: 36 mph, 58 km/h in 1st gear; 57 mph, 91.8 km/h
in 2nd gear; 88 mph, 141.7 km/h in 3rd gear; 102 mph, 164.2 km/h in 4th gear