Lot Ended
Description
Ex-New
Zealand; major mechanical overhaul about 12 years ago including MkIII engine;
floor-change gearbox; new tyres; runs beautifully; driven 15 miles to the
sale
The final motor car to proudly wear the
distinguished Sunbeam-Talbot name, the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 was unveiled in 1948 with confident Trans-Atlantic styling
clearly aimed at the crucial export markets. Its sweeping, chrome-laden
coachwork and luxuriously appointed interior —
trimmed in high-quality hide and accented with elegant white Bakelite fittings
—
perfectly captured the optimistic spirit of the early post-war
years.
Offered in period as either a four-door
saloon or the more glamorous two-door drophead coupé, the model evolved through
three iterations before production concluded in 1954. The MkII variant,
introduced in 1950, benefited from a stiffer chassis and independent front
suspension with coil springs, while the engine grew from 1,944cc to 2,267cc with
overhead valves. With 70bhp available, the car was capable of an impressive
85mph, and just 5,493 examples were produced before the arrival of the MkIIA in
late 1952.
Built in August 1951, the handsome
MkII Drophead Coupé offered here was coachbuilt by the esteemed firm of Thrupp
& Maberly and formed part of the marque’s important export programme. While
many crossed the Atlantic to North America, this desirable factory
right-hand-drive example instead travelled some 12,000 miles across the Indian
Ocean to New Zealand.
The original New Zealand
logbook confirms supply new via Gardner Motors of Dunedin in November 1951,
after which the car appears to have remained in the Dunedin area with four
owners through to 1974. An undated note on file records that it was believed to
be one of only six such cars in New Zealand and that it underwent a
comprehensive four-year restoration, including retrimming in new Connolly hide.
The same note highlights the presence of the optional tachometer and overdrive
gearbox.
Repatriated to the UK in March 1991, an
accompanying MOT records 10,794 miles at that time, with only around 4,000 miles
added since. The odometer currently displays 15,884 miles. The V5C lists five
former UK keepers, the first being Mr D. Herbert of Nottinghamshire, a plastic
surgeon, who retained the car briefly before selling to a Mr Radley of North
Yorkshire — only to reacquire it shortly thereafter and keep it until at least
2008. During this period the car was treated to a substantial recommissioning by
Sherwood Restorations at a cost of £1,037.
Subsequently owned by Mr Cornish of Monmouthshire until 2022, the
bulk of invoices on file date from 2012–2013, when the car was the subject of
extensive mechanical attention using parts supplied by Sunbeam Talbot Spares of
Barnsley. Most notably, a later MkIII engine of the same 2,267cc capacity — but
offering an additional 10bhp and raising the MkIII’s top speed to 94mph — was
installed at a cost of £3,000. It is believed the desirable floor-change gearbox
was fitted at the same time, a considerable improvement over the original column
shift, complete with overdrive on third and fourth gears.
Further expenditure covered a new clutch; comprehensive brake
overhaul with MkIII drums and new master cylinder; reconditioned carburettor;
rebuilt distributor; new HT leads and oil filter; replacement flywheel and core
plugs; new engine and gearbox mountings; fresh door, boot and windscreen
rubbers; new mirrors and boot handle; upgraded lighting including spot lamps and
reversing lights; and period-style raised letter number plates, among numerous
other items.
In May 2022, showing 13,971 miles,
the car was purchased by Mr Drew of Norfolk from the Goytre Car Company of
Pontypool for £19,000. Our vendor acquired the Sunbeam-Talbot from Brightwells
approximately twelve months ago and has continued careful maintenance, including
a further carburettor rebuild and routine servicing. We are advised that the car
drives every bit as well as it presents, and during our time on site it has
started promptly and run beautifully, displaying strong torque, a smooth and
easy gearchange, and a healthy 55psi oil pressure. The hood and tonneau cover
are reported to be in equally pleasing condition.
Having been driven some 15 miles to the sale, this charming and
well-sorted drophead is offered only reluctantly, the vendor feeling it deserves
more regular use than his current circumstances allow.
Contact james.booth@brightwells.com