Rootes Archives - Just British

Westcoast Invasion 2017 – Rootes Gathering

February 12, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Please join us for a weekend of Celebration of the Rootes Group Cars. The enjoyment of driving and owning these cars is shared only by a special few. If your desire is to park and sit for 6 hours at a car show, then this is not the venue for you. Driving, visiting, sightseeing and eating are the plans. While there certainly will be time to “show” your car, the pleasure of driving and visiting is the main venue. Our schedule and times will be a bit loose. Creekside Inn 2618 Main St. Cambria, Ca. 93428 805-927-4021 800-269-5212 Room Rates: Single Queen (3) Thu $59. Fri/Sat $109 Two Queen Standard (2) Thu $69. Fri/Sat. $129. Two Queen Balcony (7) Thu $89. Fri/Sat $159. We are encouraging a Parts Corral, so if you have parts that you would like […]

Rootes Cars of the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s – Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam & Talbot by David Rowe

November 1, 2016 Staff 1

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. Rootes Cars of the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s – Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam & Talbot by David Rowe is a new reference to these cars. 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 […]

VotW – The Hillman Imp

September 9, 2015 Staff Comments Off

We are going a little more rare and esoteric this week, though when they were new they weren’t that odd. Our Video of the Week returns again to the BBC series The Car’s the Star with an episode on the Hillman Imp. The Hillman Imp was also badged as the Sunbeam Imp, and there were other variations as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jEzkfjPtEE The Hillman Imp is a small economy car made by the Rootes Group and its successor Chrysler Europe from 1963 until 1976. It was the first mass-produced car with the engine block and cylinder head cast in aluminium. Being a direct competitor to the BMC’s Mini, it used a space-saving rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout to allow as much luggage and passenger capacity as possible in both the rear and the front of the car. It used a unique opening rear hatch […]

Report on Dayton Sunbeam Convention

August 14, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Tigers East / Alpines East had a huge crowd at their Rootes United XXXIV in Dayton Ohio last the first weekend of August. Nearly 90 Sunbeams and over 170 people attended. Below is a time lapse video of owners leaving for the show last Saturday morning. Note the two Harrington’s in the first two parking spots. This show was held in conjunction with the Dayton British car show. With the 90 Sunbeam cars, they had a total of 370 British cars at the show which made a new record for them. Another record for them was the long distance award which was given to a couple from the Sunbeam club who drove their Tiger from British Columbia 2800 miles to attend! Note: This report courtesy of Eric Gibeaut – owner of the first of the two Harringtons.

Sunbeam Gathering – Rootes United XXXIV

March 24, 2015 Staff 1

Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers unite! Preparations are underway for Rootes United XXXIV to be held in Dayton, Ohio July 30-August 2, 2015. This event is being hosted by Tigers East / Alpines East. “The purpose of Tigers East/Alpines East is to promote interest in the Sunbeam Marque, in general, and the Tiger/Alpine segment in particular; to aid in the restoration, preservation, and enjoyment of these vehicles; to promote cooperation among other similar Sunbeam organizations; and to increase communication and fellowship among those persons so inclined.” Thursday will be arrival day with registration, parts room, and hospitality room set up. Friday morning will feature a tour of the US Air Force Museum where they will have a special reserved parking area for Sunbeam cars. From there the Sunbeams will take a country drive and tour to the world famous Young’s Dairy […]