ONE TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Roy Hedger's 1978 Sunbeam is one of two 1.6S Automatics remaining on the road and is a prime example of a key car in the history of Chrysler's UK operations. It is also a highly enjoyable vehicle with a sense of style – not to mention a starring role in one of ITV's most memorable advertisements.

ANDREW ROBERTS

The Sunbeam has the distinction of being the last wholly British-designed car to emerge from Chrysler's European operations, albeit under troubled circumstances. On 3rd November 1975, John L. Riccardo, the US corporation's chairman, told the British government that his Board of Directors could provide no more funds for their UK operations. Consequently, they planned to commence liquidating their subsidiary by the end of that month. Faced with the prospect of mass unemployment following the closure of factories in the West Midlands and Scotland, the government announced it would give the US firm a state grant of £162.5 million. The result of these funds was Project R424, a small hatchback intended to replace the Hillman Imp, sales of which were due to end in 1976. In fact, Chrysler UK had seriously…

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Classics World (Digital) - 1 Issue, September 2024

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