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vklemans
Australia
7 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Jul 2010 : 02:05:25
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The following link will take you to a Webshots page with some interesting photos.
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561736172YLKzYN
Most of us would say this car is a Humber Sceptre Mk 1. It's left hand drive and has a metric speedo, suggesting it was made for a European country, and someone has suggested the number plate is from Portugal.
A closer inspection shows that it is badged (including the grille) as a Sunbeam Rapier, and it has a wooden dash like a Mk 5 Rapier, not at all like the Sceptre dash with it's vinyl and hooded instruments.
Now, it's generally known that the Sceptre was originally intended to replace the Audax Sunbeam Rapier, and to take it's name - it should have been the Rapier 4. The Sceptre even has a chassis/engine number consistent with it being a Sunbeam Rapier. The decision to continue the Rapier and sell the Sceptre as a different make/model was taken at the last minute. So, is this car an elaborate fake/replica/mock up, Or could it be a genuine prototype/pre-production Sunbeam Rapier (Sceptre bodied)? Any ideas?
Cheers,
Vic |
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johnc
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2010 : 09:02:14
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I can't shed any light on what the car actually is or where it is,but I think whoever painted it had unusual taste,red,silver and black!
johnc |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2010 : 13:23:09
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| From what I remember of my 'Cars of the Rootes Group' book it does contain a picture of a such a car. I'll try to remember to have a look when I get home. |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2010 : 22:51:46
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| Nope, no pictures - it does mention it in the text but no pics. Sure I've seen a black & white photo somewhere but oh well... |
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bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2010 : 10:26:30
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| Yes, I think one of the club mags from years ago had a pic. I'm a bit sceptical about that one as it seems too good, too detailed. Agreed that it is documented that Mk1 Sceptre was going to be replacement for 3A Rapier, but would have thought prototype would have been RHD & less fussy with badges etc?? Nevertheless very interesting & looks great car, so thanks for bringing it to our attention. Someone out there might know, plus if I get time will look through my old club mags for the pic that has eluded Derek. |
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vklemans
Australia
7 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2010 : 01:36:51
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Thanks to all who have replied.
Yes, it does seem odd that it's left hand drive, unless it were made for display at a European motor show. Someone else has pointed out that the speedo is the later style (post 65) with the smaller font, the tacho is the early style pre 1965 - this may be an indication that it is a 'mock-up'. The car is also to be found on 'Motorbase'
http://staging.motorbase.com/profiles/picture/index.ehtml?i=518335267%3Bs=Sceptre%3Bp=3
I have been trying to contact the person who posted the pictures on Webshots, and on Motorbase, but haven't heard anything yet.
Cheers, Vic |
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mike L
18 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2012 : 00:55:58
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| If I was a betting man I would put my money on a mock up. the owner found a scrap rapier and pinched bits off it having preferred the wood dash style. Why not? It has us all interested |
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grumpy1
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2012 : 22:50:38
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I've Come in a bit behind on this discussion. For my money it is most definately a mock-up. If you look closely at the dashboard shots, you can see that it has very unprofessional screw fixinigs of the wood panelling on both the centre section and that behind the steering wheel. Also you can see that the warning lights between the intruments are not equally spaced indicating amateurish fixing. |
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Rapier or Sceptre?
