Forgotten Rootes: The Unsung Sporting Cars of the Rootes Group

The Rootes Group produced a range of sporting cars, including the Sunbeam Alpine, Rapier saloon, Hillman Avenger, Imp, Singer Coupe, Hunter Saloon, and Humber, but they are now largely forgotten. This book sets the record straight and celebrates these worthy but often forgotten vehicles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The Rootes Group's sporting cars have faded from public consciousness, with only a select few recalling the Sunbeam Alpine. Fewer still remember the contemporary Sunbeam Rapier saloon or the fastback that followed it. The Hillman sporting models are even less remembered. The Hillman Avenger saloons achieved greatness by becoming Group One Racing champions and British Touring Car champions. The humble Hillman Imp played a role in their rally team, and a sporty Singer Coupe version was also available. A Hillman Hunter Saloon triumphed in a London-Sydney marathon rally, while the luxurious Humber model inherited its sporting mechanics. The Sunbeam hatchback of the 1980s marked the final chapter in the Rootes Group's sporting range, giving rise to the sporty GLS, a Webber-fitted and aerodynamically enhanced Ti, and ultimately a Lotus-powered version that secured the RAC rally championship. This book aims to set the record straight and pay tribute to these deserving, yet often overlooked, vehicles.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 165 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398114135