1986 Talbot Solara Rapier 1 6 Litre 5 SPD French Design RHD Ever Seen Another in NSW

1986 TALBOT SOLARA GL RAPIER 1. 6 LITRE 5-SPD: FRENCH DESIGNED. FACTORY RHD – UNIQUE IN AUSTRALIA?

Calling all SIMCA enthusiasts – you can trace the lineage of this car's engine all the way back to the “Rush” motor of the early 60's (& earlier!) This is a French designed UK market car. manufactured at a time when Chrysler Europe (which had purchased Simca in the past) was being sold to Peugeot. Talbot (part of their stable of names) is a very old & respected one. especially in the 1930's. Similarly Rapier has been used on all sorts of sporty cars over the decades (including Sunbeam). On this car you have the last use of both names – a prime example of badge engineering!

What you do have is a plush. well-equipped (for the era) mid-sized sedan of which very few were built. especially in RHD. And even fewer survive. the UK website “HowManyLeft” says there are just 3 Solara Rapier's still in the UK! You will not be seeing another any time soon!

I purchased this rare car in the UK over 12 years ago and privately imported it. It has been in storage in Australia ever since.

GOOD POINTS: Truly obscure & a great conversation piece at car shows! Excellent deep velour uphostery. carpet like new. good uncracked dash. excellent boot (both in size & condition). attractive 2-tone factory paint with the dark blue upper section nice & shiny. This is the luxury version with power steering – how many Simca's have that? Drives well & is very comfortable as French-designed cars tend to be. Has Veglia Italian instruments. Tinted Saint Gobain glass. Tyres have plenty of tread. Has only travelled 72. 77 MILES in the hands of 2 long-term prior owners. Has that distinctive Simca engine sound which those familiar with Aronde's will recognise!

Since purchase I have undertaken the following work:

Fitted a new Clutch

Changed oil. oil & air filters. added gearbox oil & coolent.

BAD POINTS: It has typical English RUST around the 4 wheel arches. to the LF & RR doors. RF guard. the filler cap & the battery tray. This is not extensive by UK standards & the floors. firewall. door pillars & (surprisingly) sills are sound. So it is cosmetic. not structural. The RF door has a small dent. It is missing 1 cap from the alloy wheels. which themselves need cleaning & repainting with clear coat. One mirror glass is cracked. It will need a NEW BATTERY.

SUMMARY: If you like unusual cars. French cars or Simca's then this is for you! And RHD Solara's are virtually extinct! It's a comfortable cruising car & with the 5th gear is quite economical. It does NOT require a full mechanical or body restoration. but does require attention to the arches & lower panels. I'm asking a modest amount of money. significantly less than the cost of freight from the UK (if you could find another) let alone the purchase price & costs of maintenance done since purchase.

It is now 30 years old so compliance & registration in any state is possible. A copy of the FORS import permit will be provided.

I am now retired & have other projects to keep me occupied so I will never get around to this one – hence the sale.

Please note where it is – Crookwell NSW which is 45 klms west of Goulburn. which in turn is 2 ½ hours south of Sydney. Clearly it is not registered so you will need either a trailer or transporter to collect. Please consider this before bidding. I can give some advice on carriers.

The usual Ebay rules apply. you are bidding to buy. not to inspect. change your mind or haggle over price. Payment only by electronic transfer or cash please. NO Paypal or other methods.

I am a long-term Ebayer with extensive & positive feedback – 16 years – when there was only an Ebay US site!

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