Sunbeam-Talbot Prewar to Postwar Continuity

Like most carmakers in countries engaged in World War 2, Sunbeam-Talbot had to cease automobile production and convert to war-related work.  And like most of the rest, its early postwar cars were essentially prewar models with perhaps a touch of "freshening."  It wasn't until the 1948 model year that new designs appeared.

Brand identity in the era of tall, vertically oriented grilles was preserved in the design of those grilles, especially in England.  So Sunbeam's new 80 and 90 series cars feature grilles similar to those of prewar Ten and 2-Litre models.

Interestingly, also carried over was the basic shape of rear side-windows.  That is the continuity we're dealing with in today's post.

Gallery

1938 Sunbeam-Talbot Ten - Gallery Aalderling photo
First, some quarter-views.  Above is a prewar Ten, the entry-level model.  Its wheelbase is 94 inches (2388 mm).  The profile of the after side window includes a dog-leg reverse curve at its rear.  This is the shape seen on other prewar Sunbeam-Talbots, and carried over to the postwar redesign.

1939 Sunbeam-Talbot 2-Litre - via PreWarCar.com
Here is a '39 2-Litre saloon.  It's perhaps slightly larger than the Ten, having a 96.5 inch (2451 mm) wheelbase.  That side window is what the British called "pillarless."  The missing pillar is at the aft end of the rear side door.  Were it there, this would be what was called a "six light" (six-window) car.  You can see a white vertical line of the glass there, which is where the pillar would have been.  The main part of the window might have been partly retractable (I'm not sure) and opens with the door.  But the glass area to its rear is fixed in place.

1950 Sunbeam-Talbot 80 - for-sale-car photo
Postwar Sunbeam-Talbot 80s and 90s had the same body, the difference being that the 90's motor was more powerful.  Wheelbase is 97.5 inches (2476 mm).  Compare the grille with the prewar designs.

1938 Sunbeam-Talbot Ten - Gallery Aaldering
Now for side-view comparisons.

1946 Sunbeam-Talbot Ten - for-sale-car photo
The Ten was continued through 1948, essentially unchanged from prewar.

1946 Sunbeam-Talbot 2-Litre - for-sale-car photo
The 2-Litre model also was phased out after 1948, and like the Ten, retained the prewar body.

1948 Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre - unknown source
The 2-Litre led to the 80 and 90 models.  This is the best right-side image I could find, early-June '23, when this post was drafted: apologies for its miserable quality.

1954 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 - for-sale-car photo
Side window shapes are remarkably similar to those of the 2-Litre and Ten, though door-hinging differs.  The "pillarless" feature is retained.  Otherwise, body-shaping is smoother, more integrated.  Front fenders fashionably curve into the front doors.