> Many of you have been saying that tall people can fit into cars like
> the TR-4's, MGB's and Sunbeam Alpine's. Well, I happen to know of
> someone in the area selling a Sunbeam Alpine. He wants about a grand
> for it. Actually, he's a friend of a friend and my friend is trying
> to get some more information on it. I don't even know what year it is.
>
> The car doesn't run, but he's got extra everything!!! 10 wheels,
> 2 tops, 2 engines (the one in the car is shot, I think), etc.
> Supposedly, everything to get the car running is there.
This might not be too bad a price, if you are willing to spend the time
getting the thing running. According to the latest Motor Trend
(Feb '90), Alpines are a 'Best Buy on a Budget.'
If you want a car that runs, you can expect to pay from $1500 for a
basket case to $6000 for a fully restored mint model.
> What I'd like to do is to start reading up on Sunbeams. So, does
> anyone know of a store in the South Bay area (Silcon Valley) that
> has a good selection of British car books?
Classic Motorbooks has a fairly decent selection of Sunbeam books.
Before buying an Alpine, get _Sunbeam Tiger and Alpine Gold Portfolio_
by R.M. Clarke. This is one of the Brooklands Book series. It
contains road tests, specs, historical advertisements, etc. A good
book for Sunbeam beginners.
There is another book, which is out of print, called _Alpine: The
Classic Sunbeam_, by Chris McGovern, which I have been unable to find.
According to an article in Restoring Classic Cars magazine (see below),
this book is "acknowledged as the standard reference book on the model."
> Also, are there things to look out for on Sunbeams? Bad years?
> Trouble areas? Etc.
You also must get the June 1898 issue of Restoring Classic Cars
magazine. The Alpine is the spotlight in the "Restorer's Guide"
column. A short history is given, and a very good article titled
"Buying & Restoring." Several pictures (alas, black & white only)
show you which areas to check closely. I wish this article had
been available when I bought my Alpine. Definitely a must-have.
If you can't find the June issue, e-mail me and I'll send you a
photocopy.
Alpines come in 5 different versions, called 'Series'.
Series 1 (1959-60) 1494cc
Series 2 (1960-63) 1592cc
Series 3 (1963)
Series 4 (1964-65)
Series 5 (1965-68) 1725cc
As the years passed, the interior got more refined and the drivetrain
evolved to remain competitive with the TR4 and MGB. All-synchro gearbox
was introduced in 1964 on the Series 4. Alternators replaced generators
on the Series 5. An auto trans was option on Series 4, but discontinued
on Series 5. On the Series 3, the fuel tank was broken into 2 smaller
tanks, with 1 of the small tanks put in each rear fender, and the spare
was mounted upright at the front of the trunk. These 2 changes more
than doubled the size of the trunk.
The feature I like most about the early Alpines, the long tail fins
with their rakishly cut tail-lights, was changed on the Series 4, to
a more muted, conventional look.
Only 69,000 Alpines were built (I don't know how many of these made it
across the pond). It's uncommon, yet parts are easy to get. The
styling, with the tail fins, is unusual yet attractive. As with any
British roadster, the fun quotient is enormous.
> And, what's the performance like? I realize that they won't move
> like the Tigers, but can they hold their own on the roads? Currently,
> I'm driving a '67 Mustang with a 289-V8. It's not the fastest
> around, but it's got plenty of get-up-and-go.
I couldn't tell you that last time I drove a car with a V8, so I
can't give you any comparisons. Compared to my B2000 pickup and my
wife's 626, the Alpine ('Eddie the Eagle') is a street burner. It's
a '67 Series 5 with the 1725cc engine. You won't win many races with
an Alpine, but that's not the reason I bought one.
I loaned my truck to a friend for a couple of days, and he let me
drive his Probe GT Turbo. The Probe is *much* faster than the Alpine,
but it's not really much of a comparison. I know that's not much
performance info, but I hope it helps.
I have a list of parts houses. Holler if you want a copy.
> Larry Schwarcz
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T.J. Higgins uunet!ingr!higgins (UUCP)
Intergraph Corp. M/S CR041 higgins@ingr.com (Internet)
One Madison Industrial Park
Huntsville, AL 35894-0001 "Well-weathered leather, hot metal
(205) 730-6191 and oil, the scent of country air"
-Rush
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