Sunbeam Car Books - History and Models

The Rootes Group : Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam, Singer, Commer, Karrier

The Rootes Group once dominated the British motor industry, and its legacy lives on in thousands of carefully maintained cars - most notably Hillmans, Humbers, Singers and Sunbeams.

In this book, using beautiful images from the Rootes Archive Centre, Richard Loveys details the Group's history and leading car models, from its creation as a car dealership by William and Reginald Rootes, through its transition into motor manufacture, and expansion by taking companies over and developing their car and commercial vehicle ranges.
It was a significant contributor to the war effort in 1939-45, producing large numbers of military aircraft and vehicles, and in its post-war heyday produced such icons as the Sunbeam Alpine and Hillman Imp.

The Rootes Story (Volume 2) - The Chrysler Years

NEW

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the Rootes Group's pivotal role in the 1960s and 70s, encompassing the vehicles they manufactured, the individuals behind them, and the circumstances leading to Rootes' acquisition by the Chrysler Corporation of America and, subsequently, its purchase by the French Peugeot company.

Throughout the narrative, former Rootes employees and management provide essential context, enriching the historical account. The book traces the Rootes Group's endeavors to maintain its standing as a prominent British car and truck manufacturer during the tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 1970s. Facing a shifting consumer landscape and intensifying foreign competition, Rootes grappled to remain competitive.

Despite these challenges, the Rootes Group designed and produced several iconic vehicles of the era, including the Hillman Minx, Super Minx, Singer Vogue, Humber Sceptre, and the memorable yet ill-fated Hillman Imp. The company also excelled in the production of durable and purpose-driven vans and trucks under the Commer, Karrier, and Dodge brands.

The book spotlights the competition achievements of Rootes vehicles, featuring well-known racers like Paddy Hopkirk, Rosemary Smith, and Peter Procter, who share their experiences as works drivers. Rootes' rally driver, Andrew Cowan, recounts his remarkable victory in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon driving a Hillman Hunter.

The book provides an intimate perspective on Rootes, Chrysler, and Peugeot, conveyed through the insights and experiences of former Rootes and Chrysler personnel, offering an insider's portrayal of these companies' boardrooms, design offices, and production lines.

Louis Coatalen : Engineering Impresario of Humber, Sunbeam, Talbot, Darracq

The only published biography of Louis Coatalen, an important engineer and personality in the industry. The story behind great motor racing successes and some failures. New research into family and links across the automobile design world.

Includes many previously unpublished photographs.

Sunbeam Aero Engines

The first great British aircraft engine manufacturer, the Sunbeam Motor Car Company turned to the sunrise industry of aviation in 1912, and was among the first to buy an aircraft to test their engines, flown by a full-time test pilot, the famous Jack Alcock.
Through the First World War Sunbeam was a vital supplier, of both engines and aircraft, particularly to the Royal Naval Air Service. Consistently Sunbeams were the most powerful British engines available, and they were fitted to the first aircraft to torpedo an enemy ship, the only aircraft to fly at the Battle of Jutland, and the first seaplanes to operate in the heart of Africa.

After the War they powered the greatest of British Airships the R.34, the first aircraft to fly the Atlantic east to west, and the first to make the double crossing, and the R.33, the British dirigible with the highest flying hours.
As Sunbeam reverted to car manufacture their aero engines were fitted to a succession of land speed record-breaking cars, including the first to exceed 150 mph and the first to exceed 200 mph, ironically, faster than any Sunbeam-powered aircraft.

The Rootes Story - The Making of a Global Automotive Empire

This book traces the meteoric rise of the two Rootes brothers, William and Reginald, development of one of Britain's most important motor vehicle manufacturers. The Rootes Group acquired some of the most famous names in the British motor industry: Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam and Singer cars, as well as Commer and Karrier commercial vehicles.

Over the years, some of the models built by Rootes would become household names: the Hillman Minx, Humber Super Snipe, Sunbeam Alpine, Singer Gazelle, Commer Superpoise and Karrier Bantam.
In its heyday in the late 1950s, Rootes was the fourth largest manufacturer of cars and trucks in Britain, exporting to over 180 countries worldwide, becoming a global automotive empire.

In this book, the people and various companies involved with Rootes are profiled, as are the cars and commercial vehicles built by them, with specifications of principal models. Personal insight from employees is given along with valuable contributions from the Rootes family themselves.

Rootes Cars of the 50s, 60s & 70s - Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam & Talbot - A Pictorial History

The Rootes Group, although only achieving a 10-12 per cent market share, were the sixth largest British car manufacturer: more importantly, during the 1950s, more than half the cars they produced were exported.

With every model produced from 1950 onwards featured in full colour and with detailed information - including colour schemes, optional equipment, technical specifications, plus other manufacturers' cars built using Rootes components - this is the ultimate book for all Hillman, Humber, Singer and Sunbeam enthusiasts.
Cars produced by Chrysler/Talbot and Peugeot after their acquisition of the Rootes Group are also included.

This book includes hundreds of original photographs, taken by the author at many car shows over a number of years, and provides a unique pictorial history of Rootes-manufactured cars.

Features:
- Detailed model-by-model comparisons
- Extensively illustrated with colour photographs
- Includes body and styling differences
- Lists colour scheme options
- Detailed technical information
- Standard and optional equipment details
- Dashboard instrument layouts and photographs
- Includes export models
- Covers cars built using Rootes car components.

Forgotten Rootes: The Unsung Sporting Cars of the Rootes Group

NEW

The sporting cars manufactured by the Rootes Group have seemingly faded from public memory. While some may recall the Sunbeam Alpine, few seem to remember its contemporary counterparts like the Sunbeam Rapier saloon or the subsequent fastback model.
The Hillman sports models, even more obscure, merit remembrance. The Hillman Avenger saloons achieved distinction as Group One Racing and British Touring Car champions.
The unassuming Hillman Imp played a role in their rally team, complemented by the sporty Singer Coupe version. A Hillman Hunter Saloon made a mark by winning the arduous London-Sydney marathon rally, while the luxury Humber model inherited its sporting attributes.

The final chapter in the Rootes Group's sporting legacy unfolded with the Sunbeam hatchback in the 1980s. It spawned a sporty GLS variant, a Webber-enhanced and spoiler-equipped Ti model, and culminated in a Lotus-powered version that triumphed in the RAC rally championship.
This book rectifies the oversight and pays homage to these deserving yet often overlooked vehicles.

Sunbeam-Talbot and Alpine in Detail 1935-1956

Sunbeam-Talbot was a marque created by the Rootes brothers in 1938, following their acquisition of the British arm of Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq. The cars were derived from contemporary Hillmans and Humbers with a more glamorous and sporting flavor.

This books begins with the humble but pretty Talbot Ten, based on the Hillman Minx, which became the Sunbeam-Talbot Ten. A 2-litre version was not as exciting as it might sound, having only the Humber Hawk's sidevalve engine under the bonnet.
Things started to look up in 1948 with the introduction of the 80 and 90 models, wearing the handsome bodies we all now associate with Sunbeam-Talbots, which also benefited from new overhead-valve versions of the Hillman and Humber engines, but independent front suspension had yet to arrive. This it did in 1950 with the Mark II 90, and suddenly the cars were transformed in character and performance. From then on the specification was continuously improved through the Mark IIA to the final Mark III, now badged only as a Sunbeam. Alongside the saloon models there was a pretty convertible, and the star of the range was the Sunbeam Alpine, a glamorous yet purposeful sports two-seater.

After outlining the story of the Rootes Group and its acquisition of the Sunbeam and Talbot marques, the author gives a thoroughgoing account of the evolution of the Talbot and Sunbeam-Talbot through to the end of production in 1957. He provides detailed technical descriptions of all models, covering every aspect of chassis, running gear, engine and transmission, with information on differences from previous models, revisions and production changes. A full account of the cars' illustrious competition history is also given. Appendices provide details of technical specifications, chassis numbers, production figures and rally entries.
The illustrations include 130 specially commissioned colour photography of outstanding surviving examples of the cars and some 250 black-and-white archive shots.