Alpiners,
Although I have been on the Alpine list for a couple
of years I have never formally introduced myself so I'll do
so and also make it short.
My interest in foreign cars was sparked by my father
as when I was growing up in Westmount (Montreal) Quebec, he
usually bought a new car every two years some I wish we stll
owned now. The list includes a MK IV Jaguar, a 3.8 Jaguar with
a four speed with O/D and chrome WW (super fast!), Alfa Romeo
Giulietta Spider (beautiful engine and gearbox), a NEW Sunbeam
Tiger 260, a Sunbeam Rapier H.T., then into a series of
Mercedes Benz including a 1968 280SE which I now own.
My first British car I bought in 1962 is the 1954
Sunbeam Talbot drophead coupe which I still own and drive
regularly. I 1966 bought a 1956 Jaguar XK140 F.H.C. in Toronto
for $200.00 with a seized engine and a _brush_ paint job!
Managed to get that running and was forced to sell it (for
$800.00 in Halifax) in 1972 due to the needs of a growing
family and the $2,000.00 start price for a complete body job
(it was rough on the edges). Still kept the Talbot.
About three years ago my wife encouraged me to buy a
1953 "proper" Alpine advertised in Los Angeles. Not to say
that the Series Alpines are "improper", but that the '53-'55
Mk models marked the true beginning of the Sunbeam Alpines and
even today many Alpine owners have never heard of them.
Last year we added the final model of Sunbeam Talbots
produced to our collection, a 1954 Saloon. It had been sitting
in the garage of the original owner (90 years old!) in
Allentown, PA since 1964, minus the engine. This is in the
process of a minor restoration (the body is very solid but
needs paint) and now have the brakes rebuilt and an engine
machined ready to reassemble. Last night I placed a battery
in it and flashers, lights, horns, wipers, heater all work
after 33 years of rest! It still won't start ;-) and I must
fix the interior light though - bulb burnt out!
In two moments of weakness last year (that I can
remember), I succumbed to a 1973 Midget (my cousin's) which
sat in a barn for the past five years (not good news) and in
November a 1979 Midget (Spitfire!) from British Columbia
found me after being driven across Canada without a problem.
That is the story of my affliction with British cars.
I hope it explains the reason why I have the word "proper"
in my signature file! The cars are "proper", well, maybe me
occasionally!
Regards,
Bob - all cars tucked away for three more months :-(
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Robert A. C. Hamilton, Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada
The "Proper" Sunbeam Man!
1953 Alpine & 1954 90 MK IIA Drophead Coupe and Saloon (+1973 & 1979 Midgets)
See Sunbeams (at) BATANS: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/BATANS/index.html
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