The Sunbeam Rapier Owners Club National Rally 2007
July 26th to 29th
Quainton Road - Buckinghamshire

SUNBEAMS SHINE THROUGH THE RAIN IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

The biggest gathering of classic Sunbeam cars that the world has seen this year, and possibly this century, used the backcloth of the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton Road from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th July as they staged their combined National Rally of 2007. While many outdoor events have been cancelled in this rain-soaked summer, the two seat sports cars and four seat coupes and convertibles made by the Rootes Group from 1955 to 1976 braved the wet conditions on the event field at Quainton to enable the show to be run.

The rain soaked ground was a real trial, but road trips that explored the tranquil beauty of Buckinghamshire and the bargains at the Bicester Village Outlet Centre supplemented the joys of the Rail Centre itself. A marquee housed the barbeques on Thursday and Friday evenings, where the many campers relaxed with a couple of drinks without the worry of having to drive anywhere afterwards, and for more serious matters the marquee housed the SAOC AGM on Sunday morning. The station building that was built at Rewley Road in Oxford and now rebuilt at Quainton Road was the scene of the Saturday evening dinner dance, where owners enjoyed a hog-roast dinner while a very entertaining jazz group supplied the music. Huge pictures of the cars were hung and the whole scene was very festive.

 

All of the Sunbeams on show were originally similar; both types using the Rootes overhead valve four cylinder unit which began its life at 1390 cc and finished with the powerful 1725 cc Holbay engine. Classic car owners of all types will know what dedication is needed to keep their cars in top condition, and many of them are in better shape that modern cars straight off the production line. Although not having the performance of the modern tin box they are a joy to drive and give an enormous pleasure to their enthusiastic owners. Just pop along to any classic car rally and engage the owner in conversation and you will most likely find a very happy individual.


The Peking to Paris Rapier and a concours line up


The star of the show was the Rapier of Pamela Reid and Nicola Wainwright, who were one of only two lady teams to compete in the recent centenary re-run of the 1907 Peking to Paris Race and won a silver medal by finishing 9th in class and 12th overall from over 130 competitors in the 11,000 mile run, following in the great tradition of ladies such as Rosemary Smith rallying these very competitive cars. They continued their success at the National Rally by winning the Commuters Cup.

The sun beams at last shone on the Sunbeam sports cars on Saturday when their concourse competition revealed some amazingly beautiful cars, representing thousands of hours of painstaking restoration. It was our turn on Sunday, and although there was heavy rain overnight the day was fine and the masterclass competition was very close.

Masterclass Fastback Winner - Mike LeSeeleur's H120


Very rare Brabham Rapier

 

As the Two Ronnie's used to say " In a packed programme..." - and so it was at Quainton, and we are glad to say that the owners joined in with all the events with gusto. The Sunbeams will be elsewhere in 2008, but everyone attending will remember The Railway Centre and the other local attractions such as Waddesdon Manor, the soft gentle scenery and most particular the people of Buckinghamshire, with great warmth in the years to come.


Those of you who could not attend the Rally missed out on a landmark event, with the two clubs integrating perfectly. To all those who did make it in the changeable conditions the organisers wish to pass on their sincere thanks - without you there would be no event.

Ron Atherton (Sunbeam Rapier Owners Club)

Pictured right
Neil Lamond presents the Atherton family with the 'Classic Car Cup'. Awarded for all their hard work organising this years National Rally.
...well done from all SROC members


Left to right: David, Neil (Lamond) Ron and Anne Atherton. and not forgetting 'Merlin'




....captions on a post card please

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