British car makers had for some time been doing well out of small and big roadsters in the US. Of course some firms after a while saw a space for medium-size models, giving rise to the Austin-Healey 100, Triumph TR2 and Sunbeam Alpine. The Rootes Group’s entrant used a stiffened 90 saloon chassis (“to make sure the tail will not wag the dog”) with 53%-firmer front springs, quicker steering and a higher compression ratio and other small mods for the 2.3-litre four. Stirling Moss took it to an excellent 120mph on the Jabbeke highway, but it didn’t become a hit, with just 1582 built over two years.