If ever an adage described me best with respect to this project, I’m guessing it would have to be:

the best way to make a small fortune, is to start with a large one.

After a long and hard battle with myself, the decision was finally made to scrap our first Sunbeam Rapier(A3811473) for the necessary parts to complete our Rapier Project. Aside from the many, parts this vehicle was missing, the frame, floor and lower 6″ of the car was completely rusted out. I also discovered, as I began cutting, that the rear quarter panels were filled with Bondo and much of it was not worth saving.

So, what started out as a $1500 investment, quickly turned into an $11.05 scrap metal payout. After our trip to the scrapyard, We stopped by 7eleven and cashed out our funds on 2 slurpees, a drink and a Classic Motorsports magazine. I think I missed my calling as an investment banker…

I was, however, mindful of sparing the usable parts this vehicle while dismantling. So, as time permits, I’ll be adding these parts to the Rapier Parts page for those in need of random spares.

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Today was my birthday, Hmmm 36, not sure how I feel about that yet.

The day started out pretty great, first, I got to sleep in for a bit, then Liz made my favorite breakfast and after that, she was kind enough to give me a few hours of kid free silence as I puttered around the garage and clean up some lingering Vespa debris. We had dinner at a great little restaurant downtown called the Tin Angel Cafe and I had, by far, one of the best tenderloins I think I’ve ever eaten in my life. It was AMAZING!

After dinner, we met at my folks house for cake and presents. As we arrived, the kids were watching Young Frankenstein with my parents. There’s nothing better than hearing your 5yr old daughter repeating, “his name is Dr. FRAWNK-en-STEEEN or Frankenstein”, in her little munchkin voice. I had forgotten how much I liked that movie.

I’m pretty excited about the presents that I received. The kids got me a fun Fedora hat and Liz and my parents got me a sandblasting cabinet for the garage, cant wait to use this on some Rapier bits.

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well I’ll be damned! SNOW.

Nothing new to update, other than it started snowing last night. Liz and I were in Park City watching David Byrne at the Eccles Art Center (ie Park City high school) and when we walked out, a nice blanket of snow was waiting for us. The valley just got a skiff of snow, but just enough to blanket the rapier. She looks cute with a bit of snow.

Still waiting on the shipper for Version 2.0, it’s on the highway in Idaho somewhere, hopefully the snow doesn’t hold him up. i’m getting anxious!

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Well progress has come to a complete hault pending the arrival of our Rapier version 2.0
In the meantime, i’m making concrete pavers, fun stuff!

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Liz and I took the kids to the British Field Day event at Liberty Park today. The turn out seemed to be on par with past events. Lots of your typical British livery present, TR’s, MG’s, a bunch of series Rovers, a few minis (old and new) and only a hand full of British bikes (I heart old British bikes). We did manage to get a few photos of the kids standing next to their favorite cars at the show. Ironically 2 of the 3 were cars we’ve owned in the past.

The kids striking a pose next to a fun coral and white Metropolitan.

Our met from our living room. Liz circa 2001 next to her met.

Ruby loved the MINI too. Liz circa 2000 in our 67 Mini mk1.

Miles really liked the Jaguar. He said it looked so “fancy” that a “rich” person must own it.
if he only knew

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