Hear me out: sometimes, passing on the more powerful and often times more expensive sports car may be the smarter play in the current era of somewhat over-inflated vintage automobile prices. The sad truth is, it seems many buyers aren’t as worried as they used to be about overpaying for a car, so if you’re chasing the top banana of performance models, you’re likely going to have to step up and pay the price. But if you’re willing to settle for still having the wind in your hair but at a lower top speed, you could save a chunk of change. That’s the argument for this barn find 1967 Sunbeam Alpine, listed here on eBay for $3,990.
The Alpine is the fun-loving sibling of the celebrated Tiger, which is a legitimate performance car with a connection to the legendary Carroll Shelby. So, yes, the heritage factor is through the roof in addition to the out-of-the-box performance, which is why it’s also a fairly expensive car to buy these days. The Alpine gets you 90 percent of the looks of a Tiger with a sizable reduction in performance. But if you’re simply looking to put the top down on a great-looking British roadster, the Alpine will give you everything you’re looking for. Despite being a barn find, the interior looks to be in restorable condition.
There are the little details, too, that make this Alpine look like an intriguing buy. Seeing this trunk compartment with the presumably original spare tire and hubcap, along with what I’d predict to be a factory jack, suggest that this is an undisturbed example. It’s not to say the Alpine was a model that was abused or modified by its owners in the 70s and 80s, but more that you just don’t see them pop up all that often with all of these boxes checked as it relates to original equipment being accounted for. The seller is correct when he calls it, “….very complete.”
And while it appears cosmetically tired in the photos, there’s no meaningful rust to report, which is a testament to maintaining a California residence all of its life. The seller also has a Tiger “clone” that we have featured in the past for $18,000, and he’s indicated in this listing that he’s willing to put together a package deal for both cars. That’s an interesting idea, as I wonder if $20,000 would get you the clone car and this restorable Alpine. The only barrier I see to a deal like this coming together is perhaps the limited audience for the Alpine these days, which has flown under the radar for years. Would you buy one or both of the seller’s Sunbeams?
I’d much rather have nicely set up Alpine over a Tiger.
I know a guy who has a ’67 Alpine that’s been sitting in
his garage for about 25 years.I’ve been after him to get it
done & back on the road,but he seems to get sidetracked
constantly.It’s BRG,& in really nice shape.
Someday…..someday.
You have to press him, Anglia! Whereabouts do you live? I have always hankered for an Alpine….
Good price, good project, especially in what looks like a pretty solid chassis. Cars are fun to drive and are very comfortable.
Hard top a bit plus.
Big plus. Much too hard to bite.
Stock hardtops are worth a lot. Aftermarket? Not so much.
It seems like these are 1 out of every 10 cars featured on BF lately.
My mom had a Sunbeam food mixer when I was growing up. It was white.
Are Sunbeams Metric or Whitworth?
Neither. Alpines and Tigers were built in the UK for the US market and are 100% ASA.
Looks solid and restorable and you can’t beat the asking price. In the trunk, I’d say that’s a window regulator and not the jack.
Nice project that shouldn’t break the bank.
The poor Alpine, always lived in the shadow of the Tiger. The Tiger had so much hype, if we saw a “lowly” Alpine, we’d look the other way. Stupid kids, while the Tiger did get all the thunder, it completely missed the point that the Alpine was really a nice car. Sunbeams were a higher class British car, say like our Pontiacs, just a bit nicer than the rest. In a continuation of my views, bunch of “watchers”, but nobody is going to want this anymore. Now, if it was in nice shape, be a whole different story, but like the MGBGTs from before, that nobody wants, this falls in the same category.
Contrary to your post, Howard, the Sunbeam Alpine has a solid following and are in demand because of their low price. I have been selling Alpines and parts for Alpines for over 25 years and the demand now is stronger than ever. This is a good looking, good driving, fun two seater. Prices are rising so now is the time to buy projects like this at a very good price.
‘Good morning, Howard…I disagree (nobody wants these). There is a big following and, hopefully, someone will take on the task of making this one driveable. I’d keep the patiena and drive it if I could still use a clutch (replaced hips a while back).
There was a time when the Alpines were considered a bit “sissy” because they had roll up windows, and a nice fold down top that disappeared under a flush panel while the MG’s, TR’s etc. still had side curtains and tops that were sort of like a camping tent. The name itself had a sort of hippie connotation in an era when a lot of kids adopted names like “sky or moonbeam”. But the Alpine was a solid car with decent performance and did well in SCCA racing.
No, not “sissy”. The Sunbeam drophead coupe received it’s Alpine (Mark I) designation following wins in the early 1950’s Alpine Rally driven by the likes of Sir Sterling Moss and John Fitch. The Sunbeam Alpine Mark 2 (seller’s car) and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta were civilized sports cars with water-tight cockpits and good SCCA track records at a time when the typical British two seater’s erector-set top’s rainproofing was easily exceeded by that of an Army issued shelter half.
The Seller’s car is a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine Series V car. There were no Alpines built from 1959 – 1967 that were designated as ‘Mark’ cars even though they are often incorrectly referred to that way. The Series Alpines were built starting with the Series I cars in 1959 and ending after the II, 3 and IV models with the Series V cars in 1967. The Mark I and Mark III Alpines (no Mark II was ever made) were built between 1953 and 1955.
I bought one of these back in ‘67 in Minneapolis. It was “moonstone white”, just like this one. Had it for two years while I was in the army. Real chick magnet. Moved to New York City and within 5 minutes I knew that you could not park it on the streets of Manhattan (assuming you could even find a parking place). Drove it to Pittsburgh a week later and told my brother to sell it. Don’t know where it went but I’ve missed it ever since. Maybe this is it!
When I was 17 and lived in New Jersey, I got a job working for TB Maguires foreign car sales in Ridgewood. I washed cars and did the normal stuff a “ lot boy” does. One day I was given my most exciting and first big job; drive a brand new Sunbeam Alpine up into the mountains of New Jersey to deliver to the new owner. It was an exhilarating experience for me. Stick shift. All alone and a big responsibility for a young kid.
In retrospect that was one of the early experiences that resulted in becoming a lifetime Car Guy and twenty years later becoming the winner of the first Great American Race in 1983.
Decent little car, decent price. Just too far away, as it would cost as much or more to have it shipped. Be a fun project to tackle.
I wondered about the Alpines until a friend let me drive his. I don’t know how large the engine was… about 1700 cc ? I don’t know – – somebody correct me.
But, I do know that having driven B’s, A’s, 4’s I thought the Alpine had nice pedal response and accelration for a 4 banger. I liked all the 4 cylinder cars I drove – they were simple, good on gas, and easy to work on.
That’s why I have my TR4.
GLWTS !!
Window regulator in trunk. Perfect spot for a small block Ford.