The Gunmetal Grey paint is smooth and consistent all around the car. There are a few very minor stone chips from normal use in and around the front of the car as well as on the edges of the doors, some of which have been touched up. There is also some minor cracking in the paint around the corners of the rear trunk lid, but nothing that takes away from the overall appearance of the car. The body is smooth and straight with no signs of problematic metal or other issues underneath. Panel fitment and body gaps are all relatively consistent and within tolerance. The removable soft top was replaced back in 2004 and retains good fitment and hardware cosmetics. The top stows neatly behind the seats on its tracks. There is a slight run in the paint on the soft top crossbar that sits above the windscreen when the top is in the deployed position.

The front windshield is clean and clear with no issues to note. The removable plastic side curtains are also in good condition, mount with ease, and slide open and shut as they should. Headlights and tail lights are in good order, clean, clear, and free of fogging or cracks. The chrome throughout the car is in great condition with excellent shine and smooth clean metal underneath. There are a few pieces of chrome work that exhibit minor pitting such as the horn grills in the front as well as some trim pieces that show a bit of waviness to the metal underneath, specifically the piece that runs the beltline of the driver's side. Most of the rubber trim appears newer and is in good supple condition, although there are a few pieces such as around the headlights that exhibit minor aging and cracking.

The wheels are finished very nicely in the same Gunmetal color as the rest of the body and topped with bright chrome center caps. The painted surfaces are consistent and smooth and the center caps have excellent shine and colorfully painted centers.

For the most part, the exterior restoration of this car remains in excellent shape however there are a few rock dings from normal use, some of which have been touched up as well as some minor cracking of the paint in the corners of the rear trunk lid.

The interior of the car is trimmed in a very nice contrasting red leather. The seats remain in great condition with minimal wear to speak of and a tight and smooth finish. The door cards fit nicely on both sides with no pulling or separation. The leather-trimmed door handle sections are a bit “lumpy” but remain clean and issue-free. The carpets retain good fitment and color with some very minor staining in high traffic areas. The exquisite art deco style dash retains good paint and smooth surface as well as nice tight, well-trimmed leather on top. The only real issue to note is that portions of the kick panels where it appears paint was laid down over the top of some rough metal, leaving the area rough and corroded looking.

The doors of the car open and close with ease and good solid shut. The steering wheel appears that it may be original still and retains good color and solid structure with the exception of a few small cracks behind the central horn button. The gauges also appear to be original and retain good clarity but do show some very minor fading and discoloration. All gauges appear to read their respective functions as they should. The unique twist dial seat adjusters located underneath each seat operate as intended. The centrally mounted shifter retains a nice clean shifter boot and moves easily through its range of motion although a bit of corrosion has shown up on the stalk. Brightwork throughout the cabin retains excellent color and finish. All buttons, knobs, pull handles, etc. appear in good cosmetic as well as mechanical condition. The tool to open the rear-mounted spare tire well is tucked away in the nicely trimmed glove box. The heater box mounted below the dash shows a bit of patina on it but remains in great condition although we have not tested the functionality of it.

The only real issue to note is that portions of the kick panels where it appears paint was laid down over the top of some rough metal, leaving the area rough and corroded looking.

The engine bay appears properly looked after and shows no signs of any real issues. Proper tags and stampings are in their correct locations. Finishes and surfaces appear to be correct and although they are a bit rough in certain areas, show no signs of any issues cosmetic or mechanical. Hoses, wires, and tubes all appear for the most part to be solid and well looked after.

The trunk area is finished in black painted bare metal which shows some scratching and signs of usage but remains solid and free of issues. The trunk lid struts hold it firmly in the air with no issues. The jack and tools for changing out the spare are located in the trunk and appear to be of original condition.

The underside of the car appears in dry and original condition with signs of usage. The frame and floor pans all appear solid with no signs of any issues past or present. There is a slight bit of surface corrosion on suspension components etc. from normal age but everything appears in good cosmetic and mechanical condition.

This Sunbeam-Talbot Roadster remains in good running and driving condition. Although thorough testing was not carried out, the engine fires to life with a little help from the choke and settles into a smooth idle once up to temperature and off of the choke.

The transmission shifts smoothly between gears and holds power well. The clutch has solid pickup and feedback and holds good power.

Thorough testing of the car was not carried out but from our brief time behind the wheel the brakes bring the car to a smooth and controlled stop and the suspension appears to be solid and compliant.

The car wears period looking Firestone “Deluxe Champion” tires on all 4 corners. Looking at the date codes it appears that the tires were produced in 2008 and remain in great condition with plenty of tread.

The Sunbeam-Talbot roadster was designed from the beginning to be thoroughly driven, a fact that is backed up by its fantastic reputation on the 1950’s rally circuit. The little roadster handles very well given the technology of the time and makes ample power to still be a blast to drive today. This particular car has been gone through to bring both the cosmetics and the mechanicals up to a very respectable level. As they are not often seen, these little roadsters are true head turners and conversation starters and the fantastic colors of this example are sure to add to the effect. This 1954 Sunbeam-Talbot roadster is one of only a handful left in the world and would make for an excellent vehicle to do vintage rallying and tours.