Rootes Group Series Sunbeam Talbot

Rootes Cars of the 50s, 60s & 70s is the only full-colour comprehensive guide to all Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam, Singer & Talbot cars & vans, built from 1950 until the end of production in the 1970s. With model-by-model descriptions and detailed technical information, this is an invaluable Rootes resource.

Motoring historian Michael Burgess explores this forgotten chapter in the history of the iconic Rootes Group.

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 author gives a thoroughgoing account of the evolution of the Sunbeam-Talbot and Alpine models through to the end of production in 1957.He provides detailed 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. In the 1950s Sunbeam-Talbots and Alpines earned a very good name in rallying, consistently gaining awards in international events and even achieving an outright win in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1956. A full account of the cars’ illustrious competition history is also given, and appendices cover technical specifications, chassis numbers, production figures and rally entries. The illustrations include specially commissioned color photography of outstanding surviving examples of the cars and more than 100 black-and-white archive shots. In its thorough examination of these desirable cars this book provides a rich store of knowledge for the many owners and enthusiasts who care passionately about them..

During the 1960s, the automobile finally secured its position as an indispensable component of daily life in Britain. Car ownership more than doubled from approximately one car for every 10 people in 1960 to one car for every 4.8 people by 1970. Consumers no longer asked "Do we need a car?" but "What car shall we have?" This well-illustrated history analyzes how both domestic car manufacturers and importers advertised their products in this growing market, identifying trends and themes. Over 180 advertisement illustrations are included.

The Rootes Story – The Chrysler Years focuses on the Rootes Group during the 1960s and 70s, the vehicles produced by the company, the people that created them and the events that led to Rootes selling out to Chrysler Corporation of America and eventual acquisition by the French Peugeot company. A valuable backdrop to the events is provided throughout the book by ex- Rootes employees and management. Chronicles the Rootes Group's efforts to survive as a major car and truck manufacturer in Britain's turbulent 1960s and 1970s. From a position as a respected global name in manufacturing, the Rootes Group found itself struggling to compete in a new buyers' market, in which foreign competition was starting to overtake British manufacturers. Despite the challenges that confronted them, Rootes designed and built some of the most popular cars of the period: the Hillman Minx and Super Minx, the Singer Vogue and the Humber Sceptre, and the iconic but ill-fated Hillman Imp, as well as some of the most rugged and well-purposed vans and trucks, built by Commer, Karrier and Dodge. The book highlights the competition pedigree of the Sunbeam Rapier, the Alpine, the Imp and the Ford V8-engined Tiger. Famous names such as Paddy Hopkirk, Rosemary Smith and Peter Procter all give their stories as works drivers for Rootes, while engineers at 'comps' tell the background stories of how races and rallies were won and lost. Andrew Cowan, Rootes' works rally driver and winner of the 1968 London–Sydney Marathon in a Hillman Hunter, shares his story in what was a remarkable and unexpected victory for Rootes. This complex story is told through the eyes of ex-Rootes and Chrysler personnel, giving 'from the horse's mouth' accounts of the company and its exploits. Geoff Carverhill takes you inside the boardroom, into the drawing office and on to the production line to give the reader an insider's view of Rootes, Chrysler and Peugeot.