Sunbeam MK3 (Sunbeam Talbot 90) - the rally car loved by Stirling Moss
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- Опубликовано: 6 май 2023
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Sunbeam Talbot mk3 (Sunbeam Talbot 90)
Whilst this is a car sold in the mid 50s, the story of the Sunbeam Talbot mk3 begins with the 90 range which was unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show of 1948. They even featured a cut away model to show how everything worked, which is still in existence and featured in my recent video of the trip to the Isle of Man motor museum.
The 80 was launched alongside the 90, but today’s video focuses solely on the 90. For reference, the 80 was dropped in 1950 to concentrate on the 90, which is why you so rarely hear about them.
The 90 was a car heralding a new dawn for Sunbeam Talbot - the car was for its time - styled in a modern manner and had an overhead valve engine in a world where that was modern thinking some manufacturers wouldn’t catch onto for another decade due to budget and resource constraints.
Although we talk of the new dawn, it is worth mentioning the mechanical bits and pieces for both the 80 and 90 were loosely derived from the Talbot 10 and 2 litre models.
The car when it came to market was marketed as a respectable sports car for the family man, the bank manager with flair or sporting saloon for the motorist with good taste and set up to run as such: by the MK3 as we test here, a 2267cc engine was fitted offering over 90mph as a top speed.
Speaking of motorists with good taste, the Sunbeam Talbot 90, the 2A variant, was favoured by Stirling moss for his rallying pursuits. It was a success from the outset for Stirling and in the first instance, the competition department offered Moss £50 and he came second place in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally.
Something they got so right with the 90 is that they never rested on success: the MK1 was replaced by the MK2 just two years into production and the engine was whipped up to the 2,267cc engine, the chassis was stiffened with cruciform bracing and the front suspension is then made independent.
It’s worth mentioning these aren’t small changes and they aren’t cheap: there was big investment going into this car by the team at Rootes because they saw a future in it.
More changes appear again two years later in 52, with the 2A coming to market which has the improved steering and larger drum brakes and then in mid 53, you see the final guise: the MK3.
They go at it again power wise and bring in a higher compression cylinder head but then just after launch, drop the Talbot name, hence why this is called the Sunbeam mK3 - not the Sunbeam Talbot 90 MK3. There are some rare examples out there with floor change which might confuse you if you see them at car shows, but they were column as standard and this was a limited run of 30 cars for the floor change.
In 57 the car was brought to a respectable close and replaced by the far more modern looking Sunbeam Rapier. A well thought of classic car, then and now, but again just like the Sunbeam we test today, so rarely spotted. 
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Steph! You look incredible in the color matching dress next to the Sunbeam. What a lovely car and thanks a lot for showing it to us. 👍
Thank you SO much for watching ❤️
Beautiful car and lovely green colour.
She was perfect
Love your channel. The cars you test from the 50,s Are the cars I owned or desired when I started driving in 1962. The main difference in my mind is the improvements in braking in modern cars. Couldn't help smile at the push button start on these cars! Thse days manufacturers highlight this as a feature!
Yes, drum brakes are ok but modern brakes to cope with the sloppy standards of modern drivers are most welcome.
This was great to see because my late dad's first car was a Sunbeam Talbot 90 like this. It replaced a Triumph motorbike iirc. He was fed up with having to ride the motorbike in the rain so wanted a car. Late 1950s I think. He was probably sold on the model by Stirling Moss's recommendation. 😆
Haha that’s brilliant! Imagine getting something this posh!
Keep reviewing these british cars from the 1950s and 60s so many cars from my childhood as a l was a car nut when l was a child
Thank you! It’s definitely my favourite era
You're hair is looking really lovely Steph. Really beautiful car. 50s cars are the best. 😊👍
Aww thanks! Peter was/is hairdresser to the stars including some big stars of yesteryear. It was such a treat to get my hair done.
Nicely done Steph. Your outfit sets off the Sunbeam beautifully.
Thank you!
Awesome also looking amazing an your outfit goes good with this car to.
Thank you!
WOW Steph, what a fabulous example of this car. The condition is brilliant, compared to some I've seen on a famous 'on line' web site ! A luxurious vehicle with power to spare. Thanks Steph for another excellent review - you never cease to amaze us. Take care 🙂
Thanks so much Michael xx
Beautiful example of a beautiful car.
A great review there Steph. Thank you.
Thank you Paul!
The most intriguing thing for me was spotting those cars in American movies.
Oohhh which ones
Impressive gear changing…I’ve never tried a column change, but would love to. My grandad told me he loved them😀👍
Oh it was an easy peasy one on this one ❤️
I have always like these cars and this one is fabulous Steph.
Totally agreed!
Loved these!!
Beautiful classic British car, presented by a beautiful woman. (Who was never ugly to begin with, mind you!)
Aw I wouldn’t class myself as beautiful in the slightest but thank you.
Very nice 🙂 Same engine as in my Humber Hawk.
Indeed!
What a gorjuss car 👍🏾
Thanks ❤️❤️
There's nowt wrong with the scenery on Saddleworth Moor :)
Rude of Mother Nature not to lay on some sunshine
Lovely car - barely run in. She has years of motoring ahead of her.
Oh completely! Peter is such a lovely person, I’m glad she’s living with him.
in the 70s there were 2 of these at a dump i took all the clocks and speedometers from them
Glad to know bits lived on.
Continental-set windscreen wipers - designed for export? In the late 1980s, VW produced the Golf mk2 with UK-set wipers - so I bought one . . .
I mean ‘export or die’ really was the mindset.