Sunbeam-Talbot 90
| Sunbeam-Talbot 90 | |
|---|---|
 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkI | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Sunbeam-Talbot (Rootes Group) |
| Production | 1948–1954 20,381 built [1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact executive car (D) |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 2-door drophead coupe |
| Related | Sunbeam-Talbot 80 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1944 cc Straight-4 till 1952 2267 cc Straight-4 from 1952 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 97.5 in (2,476 mm) [2] |
| Length | 167.5 in (4,254 mm) [2] |
| Width | 62.5 in (1,588 mm) [2] |
| Height | 59 in (1,499 mm) [2] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre |
| Successor | Sunbeam MkIII |
The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 was a compact executive car produced and built by Sunbeam-Talbot from 1948 to 1954 and continued as the Sunbeam Mk III from 1954 to 1957.
The car was launched in 1948 along with the smaller-engined Sunbeam-Talbot 80 but many features dated back to the pre war Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre. The body was completely new and available as a 4-door saloon or 2-door drophead coupe. The saloon featured a "pillarless" join between the glass on the rear door and the rear quarter window.
The car went through three versions before the name was changed to Sunbeam Mk III (without "Talbot") in 1954.
The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA was the last car to bear the Sunbeam-Talbot name.
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkI 1948–1950
The original version had a 64 bhp (48 kW)[1] 1,944 cc side-valve four-cylinder engine derived from a pre-war Humber unit carried over from the Sunbeam-Talbot 2-Litre. The chassis was derived from the Ten model but with wider track and had beam axles front and rear and leaf springs. The brakes were updated to have hydraulic operation. Saloon and Drophead coupé bodies were fitted to the chassis and the rear wheel openings were covered by metal "spats".
4000 were made.[1]
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkII 1950–1952
The Mk II got a new chassis with independent front suspension using coil springs. The engine was enlarged to 2267 cc. The increased engine block capacity was shared with the company's 1950 Humber Hawk, but in the cylinder head the Humber retained (until 1954) the old side-valve arrangement. The Sunbeam's cylinder head was changed to incorporate overhead valves, giving rise to a claimed power output of 70 bhp (52 kW),[2] compared with only 58 bhp (43 kW) for the Humber.[3] The favourable power-to-weight ratio meant that the Talbot could be "geared quite high" and still provide impressive acceleration where needed for "quick overtaking".[3]
The front of the Talbot 90 body was modified; the headlights were higher and there were air inlet grilles on either side of the radiator
A Coupé version tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 85.2 mph (137.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.5 miles per imperial gallon (12.6 L/100 km; 18.7 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1393 including taxes.[2]
5493 were made.[1]
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA 1952–1954
The Mk IIA had a higher compression engine raising output to 77 bhp (57 kW).[1] To cater for the higher speeds the car was now capable of, the brakes were enlarged and to improve brake cooling the wheels were pierced. The Talbot MkIIA coupe/convertible is regarded as the rarest of the Sunbeam Talbots.
The rear wheel spats were no longer fitted.
10,888 were made.[1]
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Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk IIA Saloon -
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA Drophead Coupe (1953) -
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA Saloon -
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA Drophead Coupe -
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA Drophead Coupe
Sunbeam Mk III
| Sunbeam Mk III | |
|---|---|
 1956 Sunbeam Mk III | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Rootes Group |
| Production | 1954–1957 [4] 2,250 built [4] |
| Assembly | United Kingdom Australia [5] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact executive car (D) |
| Body style | 4-door saloon [4] 2-door drophead coupe [4] |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2267 cc Straight-4 [4] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Sunbeam-Talbot 90 [4] |
From 1954 to 1957 the car continued, but without the Talbot name and was marketed as the Sunbeam MkIII and badged on the radiator shell as Sunbeam Supreme. The drophead coupé was not made after 1955.[1]
There were some minor styling changes to the front with enlarged air intakes on each side of the radiator shell and three small portholes just below each side of the bonnet near to the windscreen. Duo-tone paint schemes were also available. Engine power was increased to 80 bhp (60 kW)[1] and overdrive became an option.
A Mk III tested by The Motor magazine in 1955 had a top speed of 93.6 mph (150.6 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.1 miles per imperial gallon (12.8 L/100 km; 18.4 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1191 including taxes.[6]
The main Rootes Group dealers in Leicester, Castles of Leicester, offered a conversion that moved the gearchange to the transmission tunnel, modified the cylinder head, fitted a bonnet air scoop and changed the way the boot lid opened. These models were not connected with the Sunbeam factory but are sometimes referred to as the Mk IIIS. Some 30-40 cars were modified. The revised gearchange was also offered as an after market accessory and was suitable for fitting to earlier models also.[7][8]
Approximately 2250 were made.[1]
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Sunbeam Mk III Saloon -
Sunbeam Mk III Drophead Coupe
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Sporting achievements
A Mk II was driven by Stirling Moss, Desmond Scannell and John Cooper to take second place in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally.[9]
A Sunbeam Mk III was outright winner of the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally.
In the Alpine Rally, Stirling Moss won a 'Coupe d'Or' (Gold cup) for 3 consecutive penalty-free runs in 1952, 1953 and 1954. The first in a Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II and the latter two in the Sunbeam Alpine derivative. The Sunbeam-Talbot team of Mk IIs won the team prize in 1952.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Robson, Graham (2006). A-Z British Cars 1945–1980. Devon, UK: Herridge & Sons. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3. OCLC 77797747.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Sunbeam-Talbot "90" Coupé". The Motor. January 9, 1952.
- ^ a b "Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Sports Saloon (road test)". Autocar. September 22, 1950.
- ^ a b c d e f Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945-1970, 1993, page 189
- ^ Advertisement for Sunbeam Mk III and Alpine "Produced in the factory of Rootes Australia Limited", Modern Motor (magazine), March 1955, page 34
- ^ "The Sunbeam Mk III Saloon". The Motor. May 25, 1955.
- ^ Sedgwick, M.; Gillies.M (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945–1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7. OCLC 29424733.
- ^ "Conversion Kit Sunbeam Mk III Saloon". The Motor. January 30, 1957.
- ^ Moss, Sir Stirling and Henry, Alan, All My Races, Haynes, 2009, ISBN 978 1 84425 700 3
- ^ Martin Pfundner, Alpine Trials & Rallies 1910 to 1973, Veloce Publishing, 2005, ISBN 1-904788-95-5