Interesting article. It does provide some additional insight, but there are a
number of points that it is not clear on. The development of the "Arrow" cars
was long and drawn out. The cause of this was the initial plan to play upon
the success of the "Apex" design (Imp). The Curtis article is probably
referring to one of the early, "pre-Arrow" designs when the shape of the
"Arrow" front end is mentioned. The pictures of the models in the "Style
Auto" article show that the final "Arrow" front end was indeed considered for
the Rapier. The cost of tooling for the hood and front fenders was not
insignificant to Rootes/Chrysler UK, particularly for such a low production
vehicle.
In addition, the designing of teh Arrow and Rapier were essentially going on
next to each other, so the designers of the Rapier would be fully aware of
everything that was happening on the Arrow. Thus the changes in the Arrow
nose were no surpise to the Rapier design group.
The car I am most interested in finding out about is the Chrysler "R" car.
This was supposed to be a 1971 car using the 1725cc engine and trans in a USA
build sub-compact. Around 1969 the project was dropped and all I have ever
been able to learn is that such a thing was considered.
Jan Eyerman
1962 "Audax" convertible (aka Hillman Minx)
1973 "B" sedan (aka Hillman Avenger/Plymouth Cricket)
"Mike Hooper" <mike.hooper@panavision.co.uk> wrote:
Look at:
http://members.tripod.com/Sunbeam_Rapier/style.htm
or
http://members.tripod.com/Sunbeam_Rapier/history.htm
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jan Eyerman" <jan.eyerman@usa.net>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 4:20 PM
Subject: More details on the "Baby Cuda"
> Actually the Alpine GT and Alpine fastbacks were introduced in the USA in
1969
> and were sold into 1970. While the basic Alpine stayed more or less the
same
> for both years, there is some variation between the '69 Alpine GT and the
1970
> models. Most notable is the change in the dashboard. The '69s have a
wood
> verneer dash while the TRUE 1970 models (not '69 leftovers retitled) have
a
> wrap around dash made of plastic. In addition, the backup lights are in
the
> trunklid. There are a number of other subtle differences but those two
allow
> you to pick out the 1970's quickly. Roughly 3,500 '69s were sold and
maybe
> another 1,000 1970's. Total sales of Alpines, Alpine GT's and Arrows
appears
> to have been about 10,000 cars over 2 years in the USA. The Alpine GT's
were
> the biggest sellers with the Arrows and basic Alpines doing quite a bit
less
> well.
>
> Roy Axe of Rootes, then Chrysler UK and then Chrysler USA did the styling
of
> the Alpine GT (called the Rapier in England). Design work started at just
> about the time of Chrysler involvement so Chrysler input is possible. The
> Arrow seems to have a great deal of 1964-66 Valiant styling cues. The
oddity
> is that the Rootes cars show styling influences of PAST and current
Chrysler
> USA products, NOT future Chrysler products. If Chrysler styling had any
> notable input, the Rootes cars would have looked more like Chrysler
products
> of 1969 then 1965. "Style Auto" magazine had excellent articles on the
> styling of the "Arrow" and "Alpine GT" cars. It went into details of the
> background of the designs and showed the styling mockups from the
beginning.
>
> Jan Eyerman
> 1962 Hillman Minx Series IIIC convertible
> 1973 Plymouth Cricket
>
> "lauri lehtinen" <lauri.lehtinen@pp.nic.fi> wrote:
>
> After Chrysler bought Rootes people looked if there was influence in
styling
> (Like Opels had similiar characters as Chevrolets, "General Motors look").
> And 1968-69 Sunbeam Alpine GT looked really like Barracuda that was
washed
> in too hot wather and it had shrunken.
>
> Well, this is how I have understood it.
>
> Larry
>
> > Could someone please tell me what a baby Cuda is ?
> > Fred Levit
> > Wilmette, IL. USA
> > fle426@northwestern.edu
>
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