Coches Sunbeam: libros - historia, modelos y técnica

The only published biography of Louis Coatalen, an important engineer and personality in the industry. The story behind great motor racing successes and some failures. New research into family and links across the automobile design world.

Includes many previously unpublished photographs.

The first great British aircraft engine manufacturer, the Sunbeam Motor Car Company turned to the sunrise industry of aviation in 1912, and was among the first to buy an aircraft to test their engines, flown by a full-time test pilot, the famous Jack Alcock.
Through the First World War Sunbeam was a vital supplier, of both engines and aircraft, particularly to the Royal Naval Air Service. Consistently Sunbeams were the most powerful British engines available, and they were fitted to the first aircraft to torpedo an enemy ship, the only aircraft to fly at the Battle of Jutland, and the first seaplanes to operate in the heart of Africa.

After the War they powered the greatest of British Airships the R.34, the first aircraft to fly the Atlantic east to west, and the first to make the double crossing, and the R.33, the British dirigible with the highest flying hours.
As Sunbeam reverted to car manufacture their aero engines were fitted to a succession of land speed record-breaking cars, including the first to exceed 150 mph and the first to exceed 200 mph, ironically, faster than any Sunbeam-powered aircraft.

Traces the meteoric rise of the two Rootes brothers, William and Reginald, development of one of Britain's most important motor vehicle manufacturers. The Rootes Group acquired some of the most famous names in the British motor industry: Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam and Singer cars, as well as Commer and Karrier commercial vehicles.

Over the years, some of the models built by Rootes would become household names: the Hillman Minx, Humber Super Snipe, Sunbeam Alpine, Singer Gazelle, Commer Superpoise and Karrier Bantam.
In its heyday in the late 1950s, Rootes was the fourth largest manufacturer of cars and trucks in Britain, exporting to over 180 countries worldwide, becoming a global automotive empire.

In this book, the people and various companies involved with Rootes are profiled, as are the cars and commercial vehicles built by them, with specifications of principal models. Personal insight from employees is given along with valuable contributions from the Rootes family themselves.

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 Rootes Group, although only achieving a 10-12 per cent market share, were the sixth largest British car manufacturer: more importantly, during the 1950s, more than half the cars they produced were exported.

With every model produced from 1950 onwards featured in full colour and with detailed information - including colour schemes, optional equipment, technical specifications, plus other manufacturers' cars built using Rootes components - this is the ultimate book for all Hillman, Humber, Singer and Sunbeam enthusiasts.
Cars produced by Chrysler/Talbot and Peugeot after their acquisition of the Rootes Group are also included.

This book includes hundreds of original photographs, taken by the author at many car shows over a number of years, and provides a unique pictorial history of Rootes-manufactured cars.

Features:
- Detailed model-by-model comparisons
- Extensively illustrated with colour photographs
- Includes body and styling differences
- Lists colour scheme options
- Detailed technical information
- Standard and optional equipment details
- Dashboard instrument layouts and photographs
- Includes export models
- Covers cars built using Rootes car components

Sunbeam-Talbot was a marque created by the Rootes brothers in 1938, following their acquisition of the British arm of Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq. The cars were derived from contemporary Hillmans and Humbers with a more glamorous and sporting flavor.

This books begins with the humble but pretty Talbot Ten, based on the Hillman Minx, which became the Sunbeam-Talbot Ten. A 2-litre version was not as exciting as it might sound, having only the Humber Hawk's sidevalve engine under the bonnet.
Things started to look up in 1948 with the introduction of the 80 and 90 models, wearing the handsome bodies we all now associate with Sunbeam-Talbots, which also benefited from new overhead-valve versions of the Hillman and Humber engines, but independent front suspension had yet to arrive. This it did in 1950 with the Mark II 90, and suddenly the cars were transformed in character and performance. From then on the specification was continuously improved through the Mark IIA to the final Mark III, now badged only as a Sunbeam. Alongside the saloon models there was a pretty convertible, and the star of the range was the Sunbeam Alpine, a glamorous yet purposeful sports two-seater.

After outlining the story of the Rootes Group and its acquisition of the Sunbeam and Talbot marques, the author gives a thoroughgoing account of the evolution of the Talbot and Sunbeam-Talbot through to the end of production in 1957. He provides detailed technical 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. A full account of the cars' illustrious competition history is also given. Appendices provide details of technical specifications, chassis numbers, production figures and rally entries.
The illustrations include 130 specially commissioned colour photography of outstanding surviving examples of the cars and some 250 black-and-white archive shots.

The first generation of Sunbeam Alpine was produced in 1953-54 and was named after the prestigious Alpine Rally which ran through the mountains of France and Italy.
The name was resurrected in 1959 for a new model, the principle subject of this book. It was launched in July of that year on the French Riviera and remained in production until 1968.
The Alpine was used in racing and rallying in many places including Britain, continental Europe, the United States and Canada.

In this book, author John Willshire looks at the history of the Sunbeam Alpine, its development and production history, the different variants produced and its use as a rally and race car as well as advising those who want to own and operate their own Alpine today.
The first book dedicated to the history of the Sunbeam Alpine alone for more than twenty years, this is the first book on the subject with such a wide range of historic and modern photographs.

Un livre de Brooklands consacré aux voitures Sunbeam Alpine des années 1959-1968. Description des modèles Sunbeam Alpine Mk I, II, III et IV, de GT et de Harrington Le Mans coupé.

• Les 39 articles, parus à l'époque dans la presse automobile anglo-saxonne, sont une bonne source d'information sur l'histoire, l'évolution des modèles et la technique.
• Cet ouvrage contient aussi des impressions de conduite, des tests routiers et comparatifs, des données techniques, etc.

Rootes' Sunbeam Alpine sportscar was the flagship of its car range. Here, all the various models and production changes are described and illustrated in detail, along with what it's like to own, drive and live with an Alpine - one of the best engineered, stylish and practical cars of its time, and still satisfying to drive today.

If you're thinking of buying an Alpine, this book will help you decide which model you really want, and learn exactly what to look for when you go to view a car. By using a thorough points-based assessment, you can decide with your head - not your heart - so you can make the right decision, and pay the right price.
Benefit from the author's forty years' of Alpine ownership experience and engineering expertise, all in one book!

Features:
- Definitive detail on each model of Alpine, year by year
- 40+ years' experience of Alpine ownership in one book
- Written by a professional engineer, author and historian
- Answers the questions 'what exactly is it?' and 'is it what you want?'
- Helps you decide if an Alpine is really as good as it seems - and what it's worth
- Photographs of common problem areas
- Gives links to the Alpine community, worldwide.

Un livre de Brooklands consacré aux voitures Sunbeam Tiger des années 1964-1967. Description des modèles Sunbeam Tiger 260 V8 et Tiger II 289 V8.

• Les 37 articles, parus à l'époque dans la presse automobile anglo-saxonne, sont une bonne source d'information sur l'histoire, l'évolution des modèles et la technique.
• Cet ouvrage contient aussi des impressions de conduite, des tests routiers et comparatifs, des données techniques, etc.