Sold Put a Sunbeam 90 into your life. (if its not already shit enough)

[cros]

Two days after posting my breakdown on here i'm offering the car for sale, I know how to sell eh?

 

It looks OK in the pictures but I painted it myself and its a piss poor job. On the plus side theres not a bit of rust on the car and even the chrome is pretty good. Tyres are new radials, 2.2 engine is in excellent shape using no oil and performs well for a '50's heap. This means it can wheeze up to 85 and cruise at 70. It has an overdrive so things aren't too frantic at this speed.

The exhaust is stainless, brakes and hoses were replaced 2 years ago and with decent sized drums it stops OK. If you're used to modern brakes and steering it will seem very heavy and you should look away now.

These cars have a chassis that is monstrous in size (a foot in deep in one place) and the body is way over the top with thick sills and heavy panels. Its been waxoyled.

 

On the electrical front I ditched the original flashing brake light winker system as no-one knows what the fuck you're trying to tell them, and have stuck an amber bulb under the clear rear lens. At the front is another amber bulb in what was the side light- these have migrated into the headlamps which are halogen replacements. There are hazard lights and the wiring has been altered to accommodate an alternator which is what let me down the other day. The alternator is new and will be fixed with a new old stock Lucas regulator as the modern ones seem to be as crap as The Voice. It has electronic ignition, no big deal, but the points for this one are hard to get. Dist. caps are easily available, and this, along with leads are new. Again no big deal, but I'm amazed how many old cars are spluttering around with rats nest wiring and plug leads like frayed knicker elastic. The only other deviation from standard is an electric fuel pump and proper remote glass fuel filter. This is to replace the mechanical original pump and filter which were bolted to the side of the engine and on a hot day vaporised modern fuels long before they reached the carb.

 

The steering is a sight to behold with about a million joints, lots of nipples needing tweaking. Likewise the front coil and wishbone suspension and kingpins, they're all good but you won't be able to forget about them if you want it to stay this way.

 

And now the bad bit. The car has column change gears and a feeble gearbox which was designed for an engine of half the power. As they go this one is in good nick with strong synchro although the column shift is an acquired taste, though one of the better ones. What's not so good is that it pops out of first and third if you use all the power in these gears, a very common problem. Theres lots of cures, some people fit a type 9, some use the later Rootes box. I just start off in second (recommended in the handbook anyway) and take it easy in 3rd.

 

 

The front seats have survived well, the rear has a tear which needs sorting. Carpets are new but I never got around to fitting the door seals. I have a roll of it which is included with the car. There are also the original tools which have two tool boxes to live in, and a 'carriage key' to get you into the spare wheel department. You also get an original handbook and part manuals which are probably worth more than the car. Lastly the number is very nice and is transferable and comes attached. If you want to rape the plate thats up to you, but I'm not putting an MOT on it the car to assist. I'm happy with no MOT, its not required, the subject isn't up for further discussion with me. Theres no seat belts or air bag either, if its a problem don't buy.

 

Theres quite a few quirky things on these cars, one being a 'log-glow' effect when you turn the fan on. A small bulb shines a red glow on the carpet. Ther is no front interior light, only one in the rear but you get a bulb complete with tiny lamp shade that can be switched on to illuminate the heater controls. The suicide rear doors have one massive hinge and a tiny streamlined outrigger hinge at the top.

 

Whilst inside I should mention that the sliding sunroof has been sealed up and a new headlining made and fitted by my misses. You could re-instate the sunroof but it makes the headlining even more complicated than it already is and experience with my Morris 10 has made me unappreciative of these types of roofs. They have channels and drainpipes which exit down the door pillers from the 4 corners but a modern cloudburst can overwhelm them and then the water pisses in all over you. I have the sunvisors, one has been covered the other one not but the material is included. The reason the drivers one isn't fitted is because it keeps drooping. Its old. There are a few jobs that need doing- the speedo isn't connected as it is noisy and noisy isn't good on the these. Another Rootes quirk was a speedo needle that looks concentric with the steering column- to achieve this there are a couple of gears and you ignore lubricating them at peril to your pocket.

 

Overall if you want an all original car in perfect condition this ain't it, but then again it isn't the 12 grand that a good one will set you back. You can be confident that it will get you home- I've only done long journeys in it and to date only the modern bits have failed.

[Tamworthbay]

That is gorgeous, someone will be very happy!

[Tickman]

That is very pretty!

[mercrocker]

Typical - a chap with very fair perceptions of value for money starts shedding his fleet when I haven't got any.... 

 

Hope this finds a good home - it is just the well kept, straight looking kind of old car that appeals to me.  Worth every penny.

[chrisjvm]

Wow ... What a lovely old mowtah... GLWTS

[Longblackcoat]

Awesomely shite - if I had a garage (that wasn't full of shedloads of other stuff like bikes and chainsaws and a hydraulic log splitter) and a more understanding wife then I'd love that.

[xtriple]

That is fucking superb! I have major want for her.

[tooSavvy]

I have just crowbarred a large figure, of many Zeros, out of a $hite pension fund....

 

I am surrounded by Double Glazing brochures and Fitted Kitchen blurb....

 

I have a very nice car already (...yes & am saddo)

 

 

GLWTS

 

 

TS

[forddeliveryboy]

Value-tastic! I particularly like the idea of a picture of a glowing open fire appearing when you turn on the heater. You create the perfect sense of an owner who thinks like it's the 50s when you say 'but a modern cloudburst can overwhelm'. So even the rain is worse than it once was! Glwts.

[Urko]

What a fabulous car and a great writeup. All I can say is where did we go so wrong as a car building nation?

[Tamworthbay]

I have just crowbarred a large figure, of many Zeros, out of a $hite pension fund....

I am surrounded by Double Glazing brochures and Fitted Kitchen blurb....

I have a very nice car already (...yes & am saddo)

GLWTSTS

and you have Windows already! If I had a choice between Windows and that I know which would be coming home with me.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Loverly old bus; need raincoat and Petersons to drive it. Colour is reminiscent of Humbrol I used on Airfix Wellington c1982.

[anonymous user]

I love these, just the job for ferrying Miss Marple around to solve another murder; the world was much better in black and white.

[brownnova]

Every journey would feel like a special occasion in this!!

 

As for buying it... I wish!!!

[purplebargeken]

Just ace!

[AlabamaShrimp]

This is the kind of car I would love to own even if it was just for a bit slow drive around town every so often. Can't ever happen though as I'm crap at remembering to do stuff like check the oil. So owning something that needs so much more maintaining would just lead to its early death.

[cort16]

When I think of cars older than 1972 my brain just fills up with fuzzy static but this looks excellent.

[wuvvum]

The only '50s car I've ever driven which felt genuinely at home at 70 mph.  Sadly I'm about £2,993 short of the asking price at the moment, or I'd be all over it.

[Partridge]

That looks like a lovely thing. Personally I like column changers - I find them oddly satisfying.

[xtriple]

I so want this but.... money! I already have one ungrateful bastard that tries daily to bankrupt me and while I feel that this beautiful Sunbeam wouldn't, there is still the chance.

 

I hope it sells really quickly so I can stop dreaming about it and trying to juggle money around!

[STUNO]

I have been in love with these since my aunt had one 60 years ago.

[Sudsprint]

Lovely car and one of the few pretty 1950s saloons (Palmer MG Magnette being another).

 

Hope it goes to a loving home.

[Guest Hooli]

That is wonderful, I hope it goes to a good home. I'd love it, but lack of time, funds, space etc all say no

[John F]

That is a truly beautiful car and a very fair price, but I'm supposed to be reducing my fleet this year... so ah'm oot. 

 

Nevertheless, GLWTS.

[Angrydicky]

Oooof, this is absolutely sweet and I want it, badly. However, I feel bad for you Cros, having to part with all these amazing vehicles.