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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Jun 2013 : 08:39:19
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I'm pretty certain that Rootes never produced a V engine. The Tiger engine was a small block Ford V8 that they imported from the US. I believe the arrangement with Ford to supply engines was terminated when Chrysler took over in the mid to late sixties.
Is too bad that they didn't make some of the American or Aussie Chrysler engines available as options. You can get the whole story on the Rootes/Chrysler era here.
http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/
This page is interesting too.... cos I had a Chrysler 180 in the late 70's, was a '73 model. On this page you can read about a 2 door coupe model that they built as a prototype. Maybe they planned to replace the Rapier but ran out of money.
http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-180.html
Despite the reputation the 180 had, it was as good as, if not better, than a Cortina. Just poor marketing as usual by Chrysler and not offering a bigger engine spec' option to compete with the Granada, Rover SD1 or the Victor Transcontinental.
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
Edited by - arrocuda on 18 Jun 2013 08:56:41 |
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janmarine3
South Africa
286 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2013 : 22:48:38
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quote:
Originally posted by arrocuda
Lets keep those customs comin'!
Don't you just love the airhorns on the 'hood'! 
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda').
I second that...I am all for any Rootes car that has been tittivated ...whuch brings me to a question I have been wondering about - Did Rootes ever make a V6 or V8 engine ? Geezzzz..I forgot completely about the Tiger...V6 then ? |
Edited by - janmarine3 on 16 Jun 2013 22:50:50 |
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2013 : 09:14:56
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Lets keep those customs comin'!
Don't you just love the airhorns on the 'hood'!
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
Edited by - arrocuda on 16 Jun 2013 09:28:51 |
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2013 : 12:36:40
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quote:
Originally posted by janmarine3
Is there a prettier sight and sound than a sensibly seriously customised old school series Rapier that leaves black stripes on the tar ?
I think the blue and white in pic goes very well together too.
Errrmmmm.... nopers! Only possible exception to this rule... maybe a fastback! .... but I'm more late 60's early 70's influenced so I could be biased. I was into that whole mural thing in the 70's but never attempted it myself. The thing about that airbrush caper is that when it was done by someone with the natural flair of an artist it could look truly stunning, but when it was attempted by someone 'having a go'..... it looked bloody awful!
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
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janmarine3
South Africa
286 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2013 : 06:28:45
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Is there a prettier sight and sound than a sensibly seriously customised old school series Rapier that leaves black stripes on the tar ?
I think the blue and white in pic goes very well together too.
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jun 2013 : 10:40:42
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Just thought I'd 'bump' this thread with some more custom Rapier pics to keep it alive for when Chas gets back to us to tell us he's the proud new owner of 'Golden Graham'! 
 
Outrageous!!
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
Edited by - arrocuda on 12 Jun 2013 11:56:15 |
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chazr
United Kingdom
72 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2013 : 22:56:24
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| last on the road 2009, yes it is a shame and i will try and get in touch with the owner to see what is happening with it |
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bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2013 : 17:12:02
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| Yes, it would be a shame for it to just rust away. I know I had seen it in the flesh and yes, must have been our last National at Blenheim as JPSH120 says. I think that was 2008?? |
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JPSH120
United Kingdom
1180 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 09:32:21
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Might be worth trying to find the owner and help get it re-homed. I appreciate it would be difficult to sell on if it was owned by a family member but better to do that than leave it to rot.
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Edited by - JPSH120 on 20 Mar 2013 09:34:47 |
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 07:57:18
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I found another pic......
With the exception of the added rear side panels, I quite like the mods. Is too bad it's being stored outside though.
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
Edited by - arrocuda on 20 Mar 2013 07:57:55 |
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chazr
United Kingdom
72 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 07:06:46
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| I was told about it on saturday while having tyres fitted on my car, apparently it's not moved in a couple of years, just sits there, it's in wolverhampton |
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JPSH120
United Kingdom
1180 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2013 : 23:00:09
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This car was at blenheim a few years ago. It's an alpine underneath the disguise and whilst the styling divided opinion I think there was a general appreciation of the owners efforts. Speaking of which I seem to remember reading the owner had passed away and the son had taken the car on. That could explain why it has been left to the elements which is a shame.
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2013 : 19:58:35
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Really special!
I feel like we should try and get it at the national in august!!!!
What do you guys think?
'68 sunbeam rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO}
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2013 : 19:02:31
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Found 'em!
 [/quote]
This is the magazine article that Custom Car magazine printed.
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
Edited by - arrocuda on 19 Mar 2013 19:05:10 |
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2013 : 18:49:56
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This is the car that was featured in 'Custard Cart' magazine a few years back. IIRC it has the rear fins off of a Ford Zephyr but I could be wrong. I have some more pics of it on one of my other computers but can't remember which one, but will try to root them out and post them below.
Where is it now?
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
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chazr
United Kingdom
72 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2013 : 18:04:15
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sitting in a garden
