As an independent, Sunbeam established a solid reputation for producing good-looking sporting saloon cars throughout their history.

Never one of the key players, under the management of the Rootes Group Sunbeam’s stature in the UK car manufacturing industry in the Sixties failed to blossom, becoming a tool used to market better trimmed and badge-engineered versions of the Hillman range.

In Nineteen Sixty Sunbeam company were offering two models, one of them the Rapier saloon of distinctly sporty character, and the other the Alpine two-seater sports car which did not entirely aspire to the description as well as its saloon-car sister.

The Sunbeam Rapier, introduced originally in 1955, was available in Series III form using a 1494-cc overhead valve engine matched up with a pleasant four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the upper three ratios capable of producing 78 bhp,

A convertible model was also introduced in 1959, unoriginally labelled as the Sunbeam Alpine sports tourer.

The Alpine was a two-seat, two-door vehicle that featured rear seats that were barely enough to fit two children in comfort or one 'transverse-mounted' adult in acute discomfort.

Minor transmission modifications concerned the overdrive switch positioning and gearbox casing, while maintenance was cut by the elimination of eight chassis greasing points.

In January 1961 the Series III Rapier saloons and convertibles were discontinued, to be replaced by the new IIIA model fitted with a bored-out 1592-cc engine used in the Alpine unit that could produce 80.bhp

February of 1963 saw the Alpine Series II reach the end of its production life, replaced by the Series III in March.

Available as either a sports tourer or GT hard-top, the new Alpine had their twin Zenith replaced by a compound Solex 32 PA1A carburettor that generated 80 bhp.

An attractive GT hard-top version was also available, featuring an attractive walnut fascia, hinged rear quarter-lights, a heater and Deluxe trim as standard.

In January 1964 the Series III Alpine was discontinued and replaced by the new Series IV model.

This new design featured a slightly modified version of the original body shell with cut-down tail fins and an open radiator air intake with just one grille bar carrying a round badge on its centre.

Power output was 82 bhp, and a Borg-Warner Model 35 automatic transmission option was fitted as standard, further demonstrating the Alpine's evolution from a sports car in 1959 to a fast, comfortable two-seat tourer in 1964.

In October Sunbeam released their version of the low-roof-line fastback Hillman Californian coupe,the Sunbeam Stiletto.

An exceedingly attractive and luxuriously trimmed little car, using the 51-bhp Imp Sports engine, the Stiletto also featured reclining front seats a black Vinyl-covered roof, dual small-diameter headlamps, a padded fascia with circular instruments, three-spoke, leather-rimmed steering wheel and Amblair ventilated upholstery.