The Sunbeam Sceptre was the Sunbeam-badged version of the Humber Sceptre, the most luxurious car in the Rootes range. The Sceptre was produced in Britain from 1963 to 1976 in three marks: the Super Minx-based Mk I and Mk II, and the Arrow-based Mk III, which was the version sold under the Sunbeam name in some European markets.
Sunbeam Sceptre at a glance
| Maker | Humber, Rootes Group, later Chrysler UK |
|---|---|
| Production | 1963–1976 |
| Marks | Mk I (1963–1965), Mk II (1965–1967), Mk III (1967–1976) |
| Basis | Hillman Super Minx for the Mk I and Mk II, Rootes Arrow for the Mk III |
| Engine | 1,592 cc (Mk I), 1,725 cc (Mk II and Mk III) |
| Power | 80 bhp (Mk I), 87 bhp (Mk III) |
| Mk III equipment | wood-veneer fascia, full instrumentation, vinyl roof, extra brightwork |
| Mk III gearbox | four-speed manual with overdrive, or automatic |
| Mk III estate | introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1974 |
| Built | 17,011 Mk I/IA, 11,983 Mk II, 43,951 Mk III |
The Sunbeam Sceptre was the Sunbeam-badged version of the Humber Sceptre; this page is based on the English Wikipedia articles on the Humber Sceptre and the Rootes Arrow.
History of the Sunbeam Sceptre
Mk I: a Humber instead of a Rapier
The Sceptre Mk I was introduced in 1963 as a luxury car based on the Hillman Super Minx, with a unique roof, glass and upper rear bodywork not shared with the Super Minx or the related Singer Vogue. It had originally been intended as a four-door replacement for the Sunbeam Rapier but was launched as a Humber, while the Rapier continued with little modification until 1967; that gave the Sceptre a sportier character than traditional Humbers. It sat at the top of the mid-range Rootes cars and used an 80 bhp version of the 1,592 cc Minx engine. Equipment included front disc brakes, overdrive, screen washers, a reversing lamp, a rev counter and a full set of instruments, with automatic transmission available later. A Mk IA followed in 1964, and production of the Mk I and IA totalled 17,011.
Mk II (1965–1967)
The Mk II of 1965 brought revised front-end styling and a twin-carburettor version of the 1,725 cc engine. It was produced until 1967, with 11,983 built. A test by Motor magazine, published on 16 April 1966, recorded a maximum of 94.8 mph, 0–60 mph in 12.5 seconds and a standing quarter-mile in 19.5 seconds.
Mk III: the Arrow-based Sceptre
The Mk III of 1967 was a derivative of the Rootes Arrow design and the best-appointed version of that model offered by Rootes. It continued Humber’s tradition of luxury cars with a wood-veneer fascia, complete instrumentation, an adjustable steering column, a vinyl roof and extra brightwork on the wheel arches and rear panel. Its 1,725 cc twin-carburettor engine produced 87 bhp. Manual cars had either the D-type or the later J-type Laycock de Normanville overdrive, the J-type from chassis numbers L3 onwards in July 1972, and an automatic gearbox was optional as on all Arrow models. A closer-ratio G-type gearbox was fitted to later cars. An estate variant appeared at the London Motor Show in October 1974 with a built-in roof rack, a carpeted loading floor protected by metal strips and a rear window washer and wiper, rare on British estates of the time. The Sceptre was discontinued in September 1976 along with the Humber and Hillman marque names; 43,951 Mk III cars had been built. The name reappeared in 1990 on some SRi versions of the Peugeot 205, 405 and 605.
Design and features
- Luxury equipment: wood-veneer fascia, full instrumentation and a vinyl roof on the Mk III.
- Overdrive: D-type or later J-type Laycock de Normanville units on manual cars.
- Estate version: from 1974, with a built-in roof rack and rear wash-wipe.
- Sunbeam badge: the Arrow-based Sceptre was also sold as the Sunbeam Sceptre in some European markets.
Sunbeam Sceptre versions
- Mk I (1963–1965): 1,592 cc, based on the Hillman Super Minx.
- Mk IA (1964): the updated first-series car.
- Mk II (1965–1967): 1,725 cc twin-carburettor engine and revised front end.
- Mk III (1967–1976): the Arrow-based car, 87 bhp.
- Mk III estate (1974–1976): the estate variant with roof rack and rear wash-wipe.
- Sunbeam Sceptre: the Sunbeam-badged version sold in some European markets.
The Mk III shared its platform with the Sunbeam Arrow range and its place in the Rootes hierarchy with the Sunbeam Rapier. More cars are in the Sunbeam collection.
Video: Holbay engine in a humber sceptre mk3
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Humber Sceptre, English Wikipedia: marks, engines, equipment, production
- Rootes Arrow, English Wikipedia: the Sunbeam Sceptre name in the Arrow range
