I agree with this. Modifying the body, other than a simple trim
of the front valance to clear larger tires, is where I draw my line as
well. I have seen several Tigers with flaired Fenders, and I though
that it ruined the look of the car. My old series IV had great seats,
and interior appointments. I never had any plans to change anything
with the body or the interior. Only the drive train. My plan, when I
get another one, is to keep it looking stock other than wheels and
tires, only the drive train will be changed.....once the stock engine
has had it. It's a great looking body then, and even today. Imagine
how ugly it would look with the Halogen rectangle head
lights.....Shiver!!!
Rich
> ----------
> From: rootes(at)ix.netcom.com[SMTP:rootes(at)ix.netcom.com]
> Sent: Thursday, April 10, 1997 1:31 PM
> To: Alpines(at)autox.team.net
> Subject: Restoration Mania
>
> I agree with Ramon that a "factory perfect" car would be hard pressed
> to
> score compared to some of the cars at Sunbeam meets. However,
> perfection takes different forms.
>
> At a Tigers United a few years back, I asked the owner of a beautiful
> "more than perfectly" restored Tiger if she minded if I opened the
> passenger door and looked at the interior. She said, yes, which I took
> to mean, OK, you can look. She was very upset when I did open the door
> though, as it took them 10 minutes to get if closed properly again!
> The
> driver's door fit fine, apparently, and they figured the judges
> wouldn't
> open the passenger door, which they must not of, since the car got
> such
> a high score!
>
> In 1967 I picked up my brand new BRG 1967 Series V Alpine from Kramer
> Motors in Santa Monica, California. I had gone all out, paying an
> extra
> $100 for the hardtop, $40 I think for the clock, 20 or $30 for the
> ammeter, and I forget how much for the cigarette lighter and the
> tonneau
> cover. I negotiated the deal down to around $2700 out the door,
> including tax & license.
>
> I had mentioned to the salesman that when you look down the sides of
> the
> car, the metal looked a little "wavy". He said they were all like that
> and, sure enough, when I looked at a few lother Alpines & Tigers on
> the
> lot, they were all that way!
>
> A few days later, I noticed a bit of oil under the car in the
> driveway.
> I called the salesman at the dealership who said something to the
> effect
> of "That's a good sign. It means it still has oil in it!". It was my
> first exposure to British car humor. Ha! Ha! Ha!
>
> I took the car back to the dealer who told me that it was normal for
> Alpines to leak a bit from around the front cover due to, I think, the
> reverse thread on the crank. Anyway, years later, in having my engine
> rebuilt, (my terminology may well be off here), and ordering some
> parts
> from Sunbeam Specialties, I paid a dollar or so for something called a
> crank end gasket that fit in the front cover. Never had a leak from
> that
> spot again! The factory probably saved a dollar or two a car by not
> having that part in in the first place!
>
> My final point is, other than the stories being maybe of some interest
> to you, is that our Sunbeams had plenty of room for improvement even
> when they were brand new, the factory was trying to improve things
> under
> difficult economic conditions, and there's nothing wrong, to me,
> making
> the cars work better, more reliably, and go faster.
>
> I only draw the line (and for me only), at altering the look and
> "feel"
> of the car. I don't think the interior design and exterior shape of
> the
> cars has too much room for improvement.
>
> Anyone else out there have any stories to tell about buying their
> Sunbeams or odd experiences through the years?
>
>
>
> Steve Sage
> Torrance, California, USA
>
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