The MKI Sceptre was introduced in 1963 as part of the Rootes “light car range”. The 4 cylinder OHV unit of 1592cc produced 80bhp and gives a top speed of around 90mph, a 0-60 in about 17 seconds. Mechanically fairly simple, the 4 cylinder in line engine has twin Zenith carburettors a 4 speed manual overdrive gearbox and live rear axle. Brakes drums at the rear and discs at the front, perfectly capable with dealing with modern driving conditions.
With a bit of care could happily be used as an everyday car or a cherished classic. Service parts are available via specialist companies such as Speedy Spares and Alpine West Midlands. However body panels, interior parts and chrome is all now rather hard to find, but the odd parts do crop up from time to time on E-Bay.

The MKII Sceptre arrived in 1965 and would today be regarded as a “facelift” model. The most obvious feature from the outside was that the four headlamps are now flared into a new full width grille. Under the bonnet was the five bearing 1725cc four-cylinder engine that produced 85bhp. In addition to the standard 4-speed overdrive gearbox a Borg Warner automatic was available as an option. The MK II also had some interior update but overall drove as well as the MK I with basically the same suspension and brakes but with a little more performance.

The MKIII Sceptre was introduced in 1967 and was a complete change in body styleand shared the same basic body as the Hillman Hunter, but differed very much in finish and appearance. The 1725cc unit, now slanted slightly to accommodate a lower bonnet line, has twin Stromberg carburettors and produced 88bhp at 5200rpm giving a top speed of 98mph, and a 0-60 time of about 13 seconds. The front suspension now being by McPherson struts and anti roll bars front and rear. Making it the fastest and best handling of the Range until the introduction of the Hillman Hunter GLS.
Spares are probably a little easier than the MKI or MKII by nature of the number of common parts with the Hunter range. There is talk of some body panels being remanufactured, but trim parts are still quite rare. In 1974 the estate version was introduced, and in many peoples view it was one of the best looking and smartly finished estates around. The last Sceptres were built in 1976.

What to look for

Very much like any unitary construction cars from the 60s & 70s rust is the nightmare with the Sceptre range, having said that they are probably no worse than any other car of that era, and no doubt better than some. Check sills and wheel arches, and on the MKIII models the area around the headlamps and the rear edge of the front wings. Mechanically they are all quite strong, although the alloy cylinder heads can be problematical, but if looked after and maintained correctly they are not a real problem. Service parts can still be found, but interior and chrome trim is difficult.
Any one of the range, from a 63 MKI to one of the last MKIII will happily keep up with modern traffic conditions, and will cruise all day at motorway speeds (particularly with overdrive) Handling is best described as comfortable and relaxed.

Written by Allan Barnes

Sceptre Registrar Aubrey Pinchbeck

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