UNUSUAL CARS MODEL GUIDE
The Talbot Sunbeam Ti deserves to stand beside the better-known Sunbeam Lotus rather than beneath it. Launched as the Chrysler Sunbeam Ti in 1979 and renamed Talbot during 1980, it used the Avenger Tiger’s 1,598 cc engine with twin Weber carburettors to produce about 100 bhp. Its light body, rear-wheel drive and vivid stripes made it an effective road car and a natural club-rally machine.
Quick answer: the Sunbeam Ti was sold in Britain from 1979 to 1981. It paired a 1,598 cc overhead-valve engine and twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors with a four-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Rust, accident history, carburettor condition and missing Ti-specific trim are the main buying concerns.
Featured image: 1981 Talbot Sunbeam Ti. Photograph by Kieran White from Manchester, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; locally hosted.
A fast Sunbeam before the Lotus
Chrysler’s compact Sunbeam was developed quickly from shortened Avenger underpinnings and built at Linwood in Scotland. The Ti brought performance and showroom theatre to the range before the Lotus-engined homologation car dominated the headlines.
The 1.6-litre engine was familiar from the Avenger Tiger, but in a smaller three-door body it delivered urgent performance. Front and rear spoilers, side stripes, fog lamps and sports trim made the Ti easy to recognise without relying on the Lotus car’s larger engine and competition hardware.
Specifications and model details
| Feature | Sunbeam Ti |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1,598 cc inline four, overhead valves |
| Induction | Twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors |
| Power | Approximately 100 bhp |
| Transmission | Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive |
| Production | About 10,000 Chrysler- and Talbot-badged Ti models |
Specification changed during the short run. Early cars wore Chrysler identity and often used contrasting tartan seat centres; later Talbot cars had revised colours and trim, while the Amil alloy wheels associated with the Lotus became optional. Verify a car against period information rather than assuming every stripe or wheel is original.
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How it differs from the Sunbeam Lotus
The Ti retained the Avenger-derived pushrod engine and four-speed gearbox. The Lotus used a 2.2-litre twin-cam engine, five-speed transmission and substantial changes for homologation and rallying. The Ti is therefore not a detuned Lotus, but a distinct model with its own lighter, simpler character.
That distinction matters when buying. Lotus-style wheels, paint or badges do not convert a Ti into a Lotus, while modified Ti cars may have lost rare original fittings. Check chassis identity, engine numbers and period photographs where authenticity affects value.
Rallying and driving character
Rear-wheel drive, compact dimensions and readily tuned mechanicals made the Ti attractive to club competitors. Many cars were rallied, modified or repaired, which is part of the model’s story but makes shell inspection essential.
The engine should pull cleanly once warm. Spitting, hesitation or fuel smell can indicate worn carburettors, manifold leaks or poor balance. Steering should be direct, the rear axle quiet and the four-speed gearbox clean through every ratio. Harshness, wandering or uneven tyre wear may point to accident damage or tired suspension.
Rust, identity and buying checks
Inspect the front valance, inner wings, strut tops, bulkhead, windscreen surround, sills, floors, rear arches, boot floor and suspension mounts. Look for ripples, mismatched seams and poor alignment from competition damage. The hatch and tail-lamp area also deserve close attention.
Correct spoilers, lamps, stripes, dashboard, instruments, seats and wheels add considerable value because replacements are scarce. A mechanically tired but complete Ti can be a better proposition than a freshly painted shell assembled from uncertain parts. Club verification and a documented history are worth seeking.
Research sources
- Avenger and Sunbeam Owners Club: Sunbeam Ti
- Rootes Heritage archive catalogue
- Lancaster Insurance: Sunbeam performance history
- Sunbeam history: Chrysler and Talbot Sunbeam
Continue the Talbot story
The Ti is the accessible, Avenger-engined half of the Sunbeam performance story. Explore the complete Talbot hub. Compare the Sunbeam Lotus. Read the Talbot Avenger guide.
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the Sunbeam Ti use?
It uses a 1,598 cc Avenger-derived overhead-valve engine with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors.
Is a Sunbeam Ti the same as a Sunbeam Lotus?
No. The Ti uses an Avenger-derived 1.6-litre engine and four-speed gearbox; the Lotus has a 2.2-litre twin-cam engine and five-speed transmission.
Was it sold as both Chrysler and Talbot?
Yes. The model launched as the Chrysler Sunbeam Ti in 1979 and became the Talbot Sunbeam Ti during 1980.
How much power does a Sunbeam Ti have?
Period specifications quote approximately 100 bhp, although condition and tuning affect surviving cars.
What should be checked before buying one?
Check structural corrosion, accident or rally damage, engine and chassis identity, twin-carburettor condition and the presence of Ti-specific trim.
