I can easily say that I have stretched the envelope of acceptance at Sunbeam club meets with my fleet, and have NEVER gotten a negative reaction with the folks in TE/AE. I joined years ago when I only had my Alpine. I added a few Tigers along the way, and subsequently sold them. I preferred my Alpine. Then I went a little off the deep end. I found my Highwayman advertised in Hemmings. For anyone who has never seen one of these, check out :
http://members.aol.com/rootes/pics/67beam.jpg
This vehicle was a major project, and I busted my hump to get it to that years United in Pennsylvania. The crowd loved it, and it was christened the "Tigers East/ Alpines East Mobile Hospitality Suite". It never fails to attract attention at a show. Now, I've gone a little further into left field. I often thought about finding a Humber, and then, within one year, I found TWO. One too close to turn down, and one too cheap to turn down! I've had them to a couple club meets, and everyone gets a kick out of them, Tiger and Alpine owners alike. They may not be point cars yet, they may NEVER be, 'cause I enjoy driving them. But you can be darn sure I'll do everything in my power to see that they stick around longer than I do! I guess my viewpoint is, I like Rootes Group products. I can find the appeal in an Imp or a Husky just as easily as a Tiger or Alpine, and I'm glad to see others starting to do the same. The Group has taken a back seat to other marques for too many years. It's about time we owners start recognizing the "other" cars built by our favorite company! Hmmm..... I DID see an ad for a Rootes inboard/outdrive system in a magzine once, using fresh-water cooled Alpine or Super Snipe engines. Maybe I need a boat.......
Jon Arzt Rootes(at)aol.com
61 Humber Super Snipe 62 Humber Super Snipe 66 Sunbeam Alpine 67 Sunbeam Highwayman 72 Plymouth Cricket
