Rootes Archive Centre - Catalogue.

Rootes Car Prototypes.

This page gives information about prototypes which were not manufactured but may be of some historical importance.

In 1919 the R34 Zeppelin made its first round trip from UK to USA. It was powered by 5x Sunbeam Maori V12 DOHC engines.
Sunbeam 30 (1936) - Two prototypes. The full story of the Sunbeam 30 is told by Tim Sutton in Devonshire House, issue 6, Summer 2009. Devonshire House is the newsletter issued free to Friends of the Archive Centre.
Gillie (1964) - In mid 1964 Rootes Limited designed a utility version of the Imp closely modelled on the Mini Moke which had appeared from the BMC stables. The vehicle was named the "Gillie" (after the Scottish name for a gamekeeper), and the job of producing a prototype was given to the Rootes' Diesel Engineering and Special Products Division, Tilling Stevens of Maidstone. Only two prototypes were built and served for many years on Lord Rootes' private estate at Glenalmond. One still exists.
Asp and Cub (1966) - One fully built prototype and one model. The Imp-based drophead coup\'e is now believed to be in Portugal. Possible production was handed over to Alan Fraser Racing who's independent company was responsible for the works-supported circuit-racing Imps. The Cub was an open-topped version of the Asp.

We received the following note from Geoff Newland in June 2012.

My involvemement is quite small, but unusual: From 1966-72 I worked for the Beadles Group, latterly as Workshop Manager of their newly acquired (from Cripps Brothers) Morris/ MG/ Wolseley/ BMC delership in Sidcup, Kent.

Occasionally Sir Reginald Rootes and Timothy Rootes would visit the Sidcup premises as their Managing Director, Dudley Baker, had his office there - the original Beadles business was based in Dartford but as Dudley lived in Reigate it saved him several extra miles travelling.

I have two particular memories of Sir Reginald and Timothy: The latter usualy had a chauffeur driven Triumph 2000 or 2500 and on one visit the Lucas fuel injection was playing up ... Far more interesting was Sir Reginald's visit when he came by prototype Humber Super Snipe (or was it a Pullman?) with V8 engine - I cannot remember if it was the Ford or Chrysler unit. The power steering was leaking and I was asked to have a look at it. There was little we could do without spares, but seem to remember we tightened everything we could and topped up the reservoir. Naturally I had to personally road test the car to ensure my Group's supremo was safe to get home to Smarden in Kent. The performance was electric in a straight line, but cornering and roundabouts were less enjoyable, to put it diplomatically. The standard car was similar from memory but the V8's massive performance must have raised a safety issue and one of many reasons for the V8 model not going into production?

What happened to the car? Does it survive or has anyone made a replica?

Ginetta GRS Tora
Humber Imperial V8 (1965)
Singer SMX Prototype (1956)
Sunbeam Sonic
Swallow - Designed by Prof. Tony Stevens, the prototype car is in the Coventry Museum collection and many drawings and photographs are in the Archive Centre.
Sunbeam Tiger - The Archive Centre has the original drawings showing how the Alpine morphed into the Tiger. These have been under close scrutiny from members of STOA and CAT clubs of USA and we contribute to authentication of remaing Sunbeam Tigers through the Heritage Certificate and TAC schemes.
V8 Imp Engine - Tony Stevens also built this and donated a photo. It is not known which car it was intended for.
BRM Avenger - The Archive Centre provided drawings and information for the BRM day at Bourne, 7/10/2012. This was known as "Project P147".