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JimDrewett
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jan 2015 : 20:06:14
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Hi
Me and my dad, Norman, have just purchased a 1968 Sunbeam Rapier Fastback on New Year's Eve - what a great start to 2015! It's an automatic and has lovely lot of history, original log book and service history. It's an automatic - first time for me - taking a bit of getting used to. It's had a bare metal respray 2 years ago in its original turquoise.
We bought a Triumph GT6 Mk.3 5 years ago when dad was due to retire, but until recently he has been still truck driving full time. Unfortunately, following a recent operation, he has had to take forced retirement (for now anyway) and found the GT6 too low to get into, so we sadly sold it in the summer. I was looking for something from the 60's and in our price range and loved the shape of the fastback.
Just a few small jobs that need sorting but not crucial: clock doesn't work, speedometer is inaccurate (works a bit when you give it a tap!), the trip meter doesn't work, one wing mirror needs replacing.
Main issues I'd love some advice on:
window washer jets aren't working (seems to be pumping ok - we've had the pipes off, made sure the jets aren't clogged etc) and window on drivers side is stuck down about 2 inches from top (I think needs new winder ratchet) - does anyone know where I can get a replacement - I couldn't find a part on the Rootes part list.
Anyway loving the car. Hope you like the picture and looking forward to taking it to the restoration autojumble at Shepton Mallet showground in February.
James
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2015 : 12:55:28
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Welcome to the forum & club?
- This is an early fastback (also slightly different interior!) , these had a small separate battery to work the clock which will probably be dead... (not sure about any replacement batteries available...)
- window washer not working... I've got the same problem on my car and I've narrowed the problem down to the return valve that's fitted to the inlet in the water box.. I think the valve must be stuck open because of dirt but haven't yet found anything else to use as a replacement. I tested this by priming the washer circuit than sealing the inlet and then pumping the button... which showed everything else worked...
 
'68 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO}
'73 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {AAD 781863 }
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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JimDrewett
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2015 : 20:32:34
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Thanks. Just chatted to my dad - sounds like the problem with the valve is exactly the same for us as dad has proved everything else is working - so I'll try and get a replacement somewhere.
Nice cars - is there much of an interest in Belgium in classics? |
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JPSH120
United Kingdom
1180 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2015 : 09:10:57
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Welcome to the forum, James. I'm pleased to see you have excellent taste in classics! Look forward to meeting you at some of this years events.
Jason.
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Stella
France
132 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2015 : 19:39:12
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Welcome Jim.. the car looks good...
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2015 : 12:38:40
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Hi Jim,
yes big interest in classic cars in belgium
though very little in the Rootes branch of classic cars...
Triumphs Jaguars MG's Rovers and Morgans are more the preference..
Might see you at the National this year?
'68 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO}
'73 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {AAD 781863 }
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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JimDrewett
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2015 : 09:53:24
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Where and when is the National event?
I've got my tickets for Autojumble at Shepton Mallet on February 14th (I'm not sure my wife is that pleased I'm off with my dad and our Sunbeam on Valentine's day...). It's only about an hour away from where we live - so hoping to find some parts that might come in handy.
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2015 : 13:50:47
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The National 2015 event will be held at The Gaydon motor museum the weekend of 25 & 26 of July celebrating 60 years of the series rapier..
But al these things will probably be arranged and announced shortly in the club's magazine and on the forum.
'68 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO} Restoration Project
'73 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {AAD 781863 } My Daily Driver
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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pruyter
Netherlands
323 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2015 : 10:02:13
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| Including that this celebration will be held together with the Humber Club (PVHCC) in England as is mentioned in Practical Classics (Februarry issue)> |
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JimDrewett
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2015 : 16:46:01
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Great, Gaydon doesn't seem to far to get to.
Latest on the car - Dad's been busy: speedo now working, window washer fixed and driver window fully up (not exactly fixed - but not going to wind it down again in this weather!). |
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commerute
Australia
10 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2015 : 09:05:29
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| The battery is an LR 50 , easily available at most battery shops . I fitted one to my 1968 rapiers clock , hey presto it works . The battery is in a separate plastic holder behind the dash on the right hand side clipped to a metal stay . You can see it easily without removing anything |
Edited by - commerute on 25 Jan 2015 09:08:30 |
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bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2015 : 15:11:08
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Don't forget that now you are club members you can get spares from the club at discount prices; albeit that it is on a best endeavours basis to supply as we don't have an official in the role at the moment 
quote:
Originally posted by JimDrewett
Where and when is the National event?
I've got my tickets for Autojumble at Shepton Mallet on February 14th (I'm not sure my wife is that pleased I'm off with my dad and our Sunbeam on Valentine's day...). It's only about an hour away from where we live - so hoping to find some parts that might come in handy.
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JimDrewett
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2015 : 21:49:12
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Great thanks for the info.
I thought the clock was working again because every time I get in it's showing the correct time - only to find out that dad has been setting it to the right time just before I come over to take the car out... |
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JimDrewett
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2015 : 20:24:16
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Hi - showed the Sunbeam off at the Wilton Wake Up in May - got some great pictures proudly parked in front of the historic Wilton House - early start, but bacon butty helped! Worried all the way home as the temperature gauge was in the red - but turned out it seems it's a faulty gauge - so that's a relief - just need to track down a replacement.
Also showed the car at the Vintage and Nostalgia rally at Stockton and am booked in to to show at Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally at Oare next Saturday 13th June - so we're getting it out there!
James
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JPSH120
United Kingdom
1180 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2015 : 20:47:37
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Car looks good James. Have you not got the sill trims for it?
It is the footman james show at shepton mallet this coming weekend. I know you're booked in to do a show on the Saturday but it's a good do if you can make it on Sunday?
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bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2015 : 08:26:25
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I'll second that on the show.
Good to meet you at Chippenham James & might see you at Shepton. I've remembered now, where I saw your car previously. |
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New Member, James, from Chippenham
