Great to hear from you Roger. Your information is fascinating. I hope to go
see Dons one day, as I understand they are really quite beautiful cars in
the flesh.
I notice the engine is rated about 8 horsepower higher than the sceptres,
which I understand is due to a different cam. Do you have any further info
on why this may be so?
I own 3 mark 1 sceptres, and one mark 2. The guy I bought the Mark 2 off,
was ready to convert it to V8, as there was a v8 sceptre prototype made too.
Big job though, and the proto was an auto as there was no room for a clutch
pedal. Steering was very heavy as well. They never really attempted to get
it sorted.
You have my blessing regards converting your "basket case" Venezia. I think
it would be great knowing one of these was on the road.
I visit Australia for work at times, where are you based?
Greg
----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Foote <roger@silverbrook.com.au>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, 6 July 2001 15:21
Subject: Sunbeam Venezias
> Hi Listers,
> Great to see so much interest in Venezias. Here is some more and some
> questions.
> The two in Australia are mine. One is green with red interior - it is
going
> to get a respray in its original silver colour very soon. It has the
> original 1600cc engine, overdrive (Standard) and I have fitted wire wheels
> to it. This alone made so much difference to the look of the car it was
> amazing - it lightened up the look soooo much! I have also converted this
> to right hand drive - a job not undertaken lightly. Worst part was
> fabricating a new dash board and glovebox with lid. I did not tell the
motor
> registry that it had been converted (they required engineers certificates
> for this which are expensive) and they did not pick it on their very
> thorough inspection for registration.
> The other car is very sad. It had been sitting in the English weather for
a
> long time and has considerable rust. Much work will be needed to replace
the
> floor pans, door frames and I don't know how much else. The rear
windscreen
> is smashed - any spares available (ha ha)? It also has had a significant
hit
> in the front. It is however interesting in the fact that it has the small
> grilles on the air intakes (above the headlights) which were known to be
> fitted to the prototype. I know this is not the prototype as that is still
> in the UK with Keith Poutain from whom I acquired my cars. This car is
> currently dark blue with black interior but was originally red paint. It
> looks to have come from Switzerland and has all the appearances of a rally
> car - Series V Alpine twin carbs, many extra switches on the dash, quick
> access fuses located in the radio opening, etc. The front badge has also
> been changed (very well) so that instead of saying "Sunbeam logo Sunbeam"
it
> now reads "RE logo CA". Does this name mean anything to European listers
> with rallying knowledge? The data plate containing the chassis number and
> codes also has MAXMEYER stamped in after the body? number. Does this name?
> mean anything to anybody? Perhaps it was a special order for a Mr
Maxmeyer -
> was he a rally driver?
> I do have plans to convert this car to V8 mechanics. There are rumors that
> a V8 Venezia existed (supposedly Brian Rootes car) and plans for Rootes to
> build one are well known (this was right at the time of Rootes demise so
> came to nothing). This car needs extensive work anyway, and it needs
> converting to right hand drive to drive in Australia. I am doing this
> conversion with bits that were available from the Rootes bins at the time
> (read Tiger parts) and have met some resistance accumulating those parts
as
> some suppliers refused supply if they knew the part was not intended for a
> Tiger. Others have been most helpful. Hence I have been collecting low key
> for the past few years. I now have almost all the major parts including
the
> very rare RHD steering rack.
> Is it a shame to convert this car? If it was a pristine example -
> certainly. As it is, maybe not. Will it increase value - probably not.
Will
> it decrease value - probably not as these cars are so rare. Will it
improve
> performance - I hope so. Will it be a nice car when finished - I hope so.
> Will I be trying to fool somebody that it is a genuine Rootes V8 - no
> otherwise I would not be writing here. Am I trying to justify my
> intentions - why - its my car.
> Some other information. The Venezia in New Zealand is owned by Don Willand
> (sp?) who has a very complete collection of Sunbeams. He obtained this a
few
> years back from Italy.
> The car was based on mostly Sceptre. (I have owned 4 Mk I Sceptres). The
> floorpan, firewall inner wheel arches are all standard Sceptre pressings.
> All the mechanicals are standard Sceptre (overdrive standard). All
> instruments are Sceptre except the clock which is a Veglia. Nothing on the
> interior trim is Sceptre except the brake handle boot cover. The front
wind
> screen is Sceptre but all the other glass is unique to Venezia. Windscreen
> seals and trim are Alfa. Front bumper is Alfa. Lots of the fittings are
from
> other Italian cars of the era, Ferrari door handles, Fiat sunvisors,
parking
> lights, Carello lights at front but Sceptre (late Alpine) tail lights. It
> all comes together in a very attractive package.
> Cheers
> Roger Foote
> Rootes enthusiast
> 1910 16/25 Humber
> 1934 Hillman Minx
> 1934 Snipe 80
> 1935 Humber Pullman
> 1953 Minx convertible
> 1954 Alpine
> 1955 Super Snipe (with OD)
> 1955 Alpine
> 1963 Venezia
> 1964 Venezia
> 1964 Imperial
> 1965 Sceptre Mk II
> 1968 Hillman Stilleto (convertible Imp)
> 1969 Hunter GT
> 1970 Sceptre Mk III
> 1971 Hunter 660
> Almost complete set of Modern Motoring and Travel 1930-66 (was W Rotes
> copy)
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