I hadn't heard about the Imp influence (brought out in '63?).
The 'Arrow' front end I thought was the standard Hunter layout, the Rapier
being different because of the proposed air con., and as for being fully
aware, this might have only caused despair; it sounds like initially they
were expected to make do with the designs the Hunter boys came up with.
Sorry, I haven't heard of the 'R' car.
The convertible looked good.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jan Eyerman" <jan.eyerman@usa.net>
To: "Mike Hooper" <mike.hooper@panavision.co.uk>; "Jan Eyerman"
<jan.eyerman@usa.net>; <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 6:43 PM
Subject: The "Big Fastbacks"
> 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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