Rapier got the nod from our Jack

0 0 December 23, 2025 Edit this post

by David Burrell

The 1955 Sunbeam Rapier was the first in a line of new cars from Rootes in the UK.

Called the “Audax” range, meaning bold or courageous in Latin.

Hillman and Singer were Rootes’ other marques to be wrapped in the new sheet metal that encompassed sedan, convertible station wagons and coupe variants.

However, only the Rapier was given the coupe body.

The pillarless styling ensured it stood out in the UK on roads filled with dowdy Austin A40s and dumpy Morris Minors.

Its shape was the work of an American, Holden ”Bob” Koto.

Koto was a key designer in the Raymond Loewy design consultancy, which had an association with Rootes.

Essentially, the Audax cars were downsized 1953 Studebakers, which Loewy’s team had also designed.

The Rapier took its lines from the Starliner coupe, over which Koto has a significant influence.

A strategic objective for the styling was to ensure the Rapier (and all the Audax range) appealed to American buyers, where Rootes had export ambitions.

Released with a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine, it was subsequently upgraded to 1.6 litres and then 1.7 litres.

The styling was also tweaked over the next few years, with modest rear fins applied along with a bit more chrome and an upright grille.

A convertible was added to the range in 1958.

The significance of the Rapier is that it was the UK’s first relatively affordable and aspirational “personal car” of the post WWII era.

Positioned as a stylish and sporty, it was created for someone enjoying increasing affluence.

They wanted to reward themselves, and let everyone know it.

Stirling Moss gave it the thumbs up.

That Moss drove for the Rootes Rally team may have been a factor.

Jack Brabham later extolled its virtues.

Rootes, and then Chrysler, got value for money from the 1955 body shell.

It was only replaced in 1967 after almost 70,000 had been sold.

David Burrell is the editor of retroautos