Spanning two decades between 1955 and 1976, the Sunbeam Rapier was produced by the Rootes Group and underwent several revisions during its lifetime.
This 1:76 scale miniature is based on the two-door Series III which was introduced in September 1959. Improvements over its predecessors included modified side grilles, a different shaped number plate recess on the boot and a redesigned side flash with the Rapier logo on its rear end. The windscreen pillars were reduced in thickness which increased the windscreen area by a fifth. Inside, the seats and interior panels had also been redesigned and upgraded and the controls were now black instead of beige. Registered VWS 437, incorporates several of these features where possible and appears in two tone-blue with silver front grille and wheels. The chassis is black, the interior is blue and the steering wheel is black. The Sunbeam marque appears in silver and blue on the boot catch and on the top of the radiator grille, with the Rapier lettering is printed towards the rear of the side flash, just like the real thing!