It was inevitable that after all the dry weather earlier in the month, the forecast for the Rootes Heritage Day at Gaydon in late July was heavy rain. It’s a long way from Ipswich but undaunted we decided to make the trip and told ourselves it would be a good test of the car.
The car in question is a Series III Sunbeam Rapier, owned by my friend Chris Hurlock who I met a few years ago when he set up the Rootes Group East Anglia, a multi-marque club for all things Rootes. I have a 1960 Series 1 Alpine and have fond memories of riding around in a Hillman Super Minx when at collage. Unfortunately my Alpine is off the road being restored so the chance to co-pilot his car was too good to miss. My only reservation was the planned 5:30 am start, needed as Chris lives even further East than I do and this meant a 4:30 am start for me to get there !
Although Chris had owned the car for about 18 months, he had only really done short local runs while he spent time unearthing the odd problem to attend to (mainly due to lack of use) and getting used to the car. In our favour though was the low original milage (c43k) and the excellent overall condition of the car after it had been the pride and joy of the previous long term owner. I also had confidence in it having driven the car on a short run where I had to admit the steering was better, it was more comfortable and the hood leaked less than my Alpine. However, at just shy of 300 miles, the round-trip to Gaydon was going to be the longest journey it had undertaken by quite a big margin.
So with a certain trepidation we set off just after 5:30, only disturbing the dawn chorus and the odd sleepy Hare. Chris drove first as our route took us across country from his place to the A14 and then onwards past Cambridge where I was going to take over. Although the weather was kinder than we had expected - only drizzle - the back roads were flooded from the previous days’ deluge and we had to pick our way carefully though the deeper puddles to prevent the water splashing up into the electrics. Once on the main road we settled down to a steady 55-60 mph and watched the temperature and oil pressure gauges carefully.
We stopped as planned around 7:00 am and had a quick break, while I settled into the driver’s seat. The wheel is familiar from my Alpine and although the minor controls are different, everything is at hand. On we went on the A14 and I noticed that at 55 mph there was a slight ‘shake’ of the wheel. I pressed on and wondered what would happen if I accelerated past it. Here the car’s extra weight and smaller engine capacity counted against it vs my Alpine - so it took a while to get going to over 65 mph - but at that speed the ‘wobble’ seemed to go away and we had a more comfortable run from then on.
By the time we got to the Rugby turning I was in the groove, so much so that Chris was worried that I though we were on a rally stage as I swept through a series of round-abouts and long fast bends on the Foss Way. The car seemed to have enjoyed the run up too and I found that if I held it in third a bit longer the acceleration was more lively. Chris’ fears appeared justified however when we spotted another car – an early MK1 Alpine in rally livery a few miles on. This it turned out to be Stirling Moss' rally car which we had the privilege to follow all the way to Gaydon.
Parking up just after 9:30 I calculated the trip had taken almost four hours with only a short break. We stretched our legs, proudly unfurled the RGEA feather flag, chatted to a fellow East Anglian who parked up next to us and went to refuel ourselves with well earned coffee and bacon rolls.
During the course of the day Chris chatted to fellow Rapier owners and showed them his car. As a low mileage original example it was interesting to compare notes. I wondered off to take photos and find more friends who had travel up. Most people I met regaled me with tails of daring-do driving through torrential rain and wind the day before – so although they had had an easier start that morning than us they had had to suffer the bad weather on the Saturday.
It was great to see so many varied Rootes cars, from the early pre-war Hillmans and Humbers, a brace of Singer Le Mans, a number of early first series MK1, 2 and 3 Alpines, my later series Alpines and the Tigers, as well as the more modern Rootes range – the Hunters, Fastback Alpines and Imps. However I was very taken by the number of very well presented Rapiers and spent too much time taking pictures of them. I’d also hoped to see a few Series I Alpines to work out how my window channel fitted but I drew a blank.
We had a quick visit to the museum a bite to eat for lunch and then back to meeting owners and looking at the cars. Finally it was time to say a few goodbyes and think about heading back. As you know if you were there the weather was very kind to us all day and we even undid the roof for part of the journey back. Again Chris drove first and I took over at Cambridge, stopping for petrol and the change over where several people came up to us and admired the car.
It was my turn to complete the run and this time I knew what speed to maintain. The run was better on the return journey at the steady 65 and we even got several thumbs up and waves from passing motorists. I was still keen to see a bit more speed though and took the car up to 70mph with no issues as she remained steady and strait with no noticeable wobbles. As the wheels had been balanced recently we put the wobble we had experienced down to the prop shaft and put it on the list to be investigated.
I turned into Chris’s drive around 7:00 pm and we parked up. The car had performed extremely well and used little oil nor water on the run and felt fresher and more lively at the end – testament to the adage that old cars should be used. Chris has several more events planned this year with a long run on the list so you should see him and the car either here in East Anglia or further afield.
Thanks to everyone we met who admired the car and to the organisers for making the day run smoothly – and even sorting out the good weather !
