Back To Rootes Sunbeam Venezia
1964 Sunbeam Venezia
(Featured on 28th May 2014)
Make: Rootes Group
Model: Sunbeam Venezia
Year: 1964
Sellers original description:
Launched in 1963 in St.Marks Square Venice, from a gondola! Only 203 of these expensive cars were manufactured with just 7 allocated to the UK market. Using the Superleggera method of construction with tubular steel frame clad in aluminium body panels; Hand finished by Touring of Milan a mere 26 Venezias are known to survive. This example is considered to be one of the rarest being low mileage and is completely original. A Holbay cylinder head conversion was fitted to boost performance.
Hand built and necessarily expensive, the alloy bodied Venezia struggled to find buyers and this car remained in Rootes warehouse in Belgium until 1st July 1969 when it was purchased and imported to the UK by Sunbeam enthusiast Keith Pountain and was registered 8 RKP.
Extraordinary rare and exceptional condition. Just 16,000 miles from new with supporting history. Overdrive gearbox, a fresh set of chrome wire wheels. Huge and comprehensive history file confirming ownership and continuous maintenance; press cuttings and original Venezia parts list and manual.
The paintwork is original, and therefore has some blemishes and chips as you'd expect, but considering the car is nearly 50 years old, the condition is quite extraordinary!
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