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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