Sunbeam Alpine

by Chris Dugdale

 

 

The Alpine, a product of the Rootes Group first hit the streets of the U.K. in 1959 and compared to many other sports type vehicles remained on the market for a relatively few years, nine in all to be exact, the Tiger (a Ford V8 being shoe horned into the engine bay) was only produced for a mere third of this period.

 

The press reports of the time referred to the model as a "gentleman's tourer", a polite way of saying that it went like a saloon whilst looking like a sports model. During its production period there was a continuos development programme and by 1967 the car certainly justified being called a sports car due to the handling, performance and steering all having been upgraded to answer the demands of more discerning sporting drivers.

When first introduced it had a 4 cylinder 1.6 litre engine with aluminium cylinder head and a compression ratio of 9.1 to 1 which developed 85 brake horse power at 5000 rpm whereas by 1967 the cubic capacity had been increased to 1,725. compression ratio to 9.2 to 1 and developing 92.5 bhp. A quote from Jack Brabham, World Champion Racing Driver in 1959 and 60 "This engines packed with power and ready to go".

 

The Roots brochure of the day states " Here in this superbly designed and spacious interior, driver and passenger are surrounded by generous comfort. Before you is an impressive array of instruments, conveniently grouped for quick reading at speed and mounted in a smart facia panel finished in grey - everything arranged for perfect handling ease. The two spoke steering wheel, ideally situated, is sprung and gives finger light response. This, plus a wide range of seat movement and unique adjustable foot pedals, offers a driving position that is tailor made. The clutch is fitted with a hydrostatic slave cylinder that automatically takes up any play and removes the need for clutch adjustment. Wide individual seats, specially formed and cushioned for maximum comfort, hold you well when taking sharp bends. The interior trim is styled with elegance - finished throughout with the quality craftsmanship that has made Sunbeam famous".

 

The press spoke well of the car when it came out, The Daily Telegraph saying "I found the Alpine fun to drive in the Alps. It would climb with the agility of a young goat, sit all square through bends and corners, and descend passes in safety at speeds which would be impossible in the average car". The Vancouver Sun, Canada stated "The Alpine seems to me a sports car possessed of a quality of gentleness, plus comfort with little, or no sacrifice of the performance one expects of its type".

 

In 1967, the penultimate year of production the Alpine could be purchased for £938. 5s 5d, this included £163. 5s 5d purchase tax, Laycock-de-Normanville Overdrive which operated on top and third gears an extra £54. 7s 6d.