NO NO NO
You have it all wrong. :-)
The Rapier came first.
The Minx is almost identical to the Rapier, just two extra doors.
Series I Rapier released 1956.
Series I Minx released 1957.
Keith
55 Californian
57 Rapier
----- Original Message -----
From: <RootesRooter@aol.com>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Baby 'cuda]
> In a message dated 9/10/03 12:32:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> jan.eyerman@usa.net writes:
>
> << True, but the Rapier hardtop was essentially a Hillman Minx convertible
> with a
> roof welded on (the Rapier Convert was almost identical to the Minx
> convertible). Most body components will interchange between a Series
Minx
> and
> a Series Rapier. The same is true of almost all mechanical parts. The
> Fastback Rapier differed more from the Arrow then the Series Rapier did
from
> the Minx.
> >>
>
>
> I seem to remember a magazine interview with Rootes designer Roy Axe from
6-7
> years ago, who said much of the body structure was shared by Hunters and
> Rapiers, even though they were obviously different from outward
appearances. An
> example was the inner rear wheel wells - not what the fastback-body
designers
> wanted to use (apparently because they wanted to use a different rear
> suspension design for the long-tailed fastback), but costs dictated that
they share as
> much as possible.
>
> Dick Sanders
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