Regular readers have probably realized that I have a bit of a soft spot for classic British sports cars. They represent an attempt by manufacturers to combine some basic mechanical components from the company’s Parts Bin to produce cars that typically added affordable excitement to their model ranges. This 1967 Sunbeam Alpine is an excellent example of that philosophy that represents a promising project candidate. This beauty runs and drives, but is begging for someone to treat it to the TLC it deserves. The seller has listed the Alpine here on eBay in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Bidding has reached a mere $410 in a No Reserve auction.
The Rootes Group has a fascinating history, and could well have become a post-war vehicle manufacturing powerhouse. It was famously offered the entire Volkswagen empire as war reparations in 1945, but seeing no future in either the factory or the humble Beetle, it declined the offer. As history shows, that proved to be one of the most catastrophic errors in automotive history. It followed a growing trend in 1959 when it released the Alpine Series I as a stereotypical affordable British sports car. The Alpine received ongoing updates, culminating in the Series V that emerged in 1965. Production ended in 1968, with this little project candidate emerging the year before. The seller admits that it requires a total restoration and that there are rust issues requiring attention. The first owner ordered this Alpine in Carnival Red, a shade that was available from Day One until late in the 1967 model year. The paint is tired, and the soft-top has seen better days. The deal includes a factory hardtop, meaning this Sunbeam can cope with all weather conditions. It appears that a previous owner may have repaired some panel rust, and there is some evidence of a return visit beneath a layer of Bondo. However, the issues appear to be prime candidates for patches, while the underside shots confirm that the floors and frame are rock-solid. The bumpers and some trim pieces require a trip to the platers, and the Alpine rolls on aftermarket alloy wheels.
One of the most profound changes to the Alpine came with the release of the Series V version. It featured a new 1,725cc four-cylinder engine that inhaled through a pair of Zenith-Stromberg carburetors. While the Series IV placed 82hp at the driver’s disposal, Series V owners had 99hp beneath their right foot. A four-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels, and the company offered an optional overdrive that improved the Alpine’s open-road cruising ability. The seller confirms that this little gem runs and drives well, but has a few issues that will eventually require attention. These include the typical British sports car oil leaks, while the motor also appears to suffer from blow-by, which contributes to its above-average oil consumption. Pulling the engine during the restoration would provide an ideal opportunity to rebuild it and address the shortcomings. Purists will welcome the news that the factory carburetor setup is included if they wish to remove the aftermarket unit for authenticity.
I would describe this Alpine’s interior as serviceable, but it would benefit from some TLC. The dash looks nice, featuring the gauges and toggle switches that almost define classic British sports cars from this era. However, the pad is cracked, the seatcovers are split, and the wheel has cracked in a couple of spots. None of the issues are insurmountable, due to parts availability and affordability. It doesn’t feature luxury touches like air conditioning or a radio, allowing the buyer to focus on the pure driving pleasure these classics provide.
Although the listing statistics suggest this 1967 Sunbeam Alpine has generated significant interest, it has attracted only three bids at the time of writing. I believe that tally will climb markedly before the hammer falls, but provided potential buyers keep their heads, it should remain an affordable option for enthusiasts seeking a project candidate. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you to monitor the listing and strike at the right time? I wish you luck if you do.
Looked at one of these over 40 years ago, and it was about in the same condition as this one. This is going to take a lot of work and money.
It’s now up to $810.
With no reserve auctions, people are finding out what this kind of stuff is really worth to buyers.
And as with most auctions, that will happen in the last few minutes…
Agreed. What do you think it will go to? I’ll guess $1500, as it’s a vey good parts car.
Well… if I was looking for a project (which I’m not, as I have a couple going now) I’d be willing to pay more than 1.5k for this one…
Luckless – nobody else is looking for a project car, either.
The guys who used to fix-em-up don’t do that anymore.
The younger guys live in subdivisions with a garage full of kayaks, motorcycles, kids old toys, and the wife’s dresser refinishing project.
Well… it’s at $2300+ with over 2 days left to go… I’m guessing it’s going much higher… These are interesting and pleasant little cars… and there are plenty of us guys out there ready to fix these up… besides, I already finished my wife’s dresser ;-)
I have owned 2 of these, and many other British sports cars over the last 40 years. I still maintain that the Sunbeam Alpine was still the most drivable, comfortable of all I have owned. And easy to work on. The seat bolsters are done just right for hours of comfortable driving, and the steering and shifting is light, quick and nimble… and, the first British convertible to introduce roll-up windows over removable side curtains. Someone could have some cheap fun with this one!
I would agree! I had a 67 in high school and is still one of my favorite vehicles I’ve ever owned. I was thinking about buying a nice restored one recently but I ran across an immaculate Tiger that I just couldn’t pass up, which of courses what we all wanted back in the day!
This, the TR3 we saw earlier and the MGB that Michelle wrote about all point in the same direction-if you ever wanted a fun Brit machine this is the time as they’re coming out in droves.
But you’d best have time, money, patience and maybe a whole lot of Guinness (or Harp).
GLWTA.
Maxwell Smart(Get smart) drove one, and didn’t Caroll Shelby take a few and drop a 289 ford V-8 in them…
A few? How about over 7k.
Actually the one on Get Smart really was a true Tiger rather than the Alpine, which Don Adams kept after the TV series left and ultimately gave it to his daughter.
Just an FYI… Today, 99 is 93… Barbara Feldon who played agent 99 was born March 12, 1933.
Carroll Shelby dropped a 260 in them. Most of them anyway. The only factory 289 cars came late in the run and just 536 were built. They were the Mk II Tigers. Rootes went to the 289 after they used up the supply of 260s.
Looking at the bottom shots, this looks to be a pretty solid start… ya, there is some panel rust that won’t be cheap to properly put right, but I’ve seen sooo much worse on Sunbeams. This is a project, a labor of love, no question… but in IMO a very manageable one… GLWA…
I had a 65 and it still had the 3 main motor which cause some problems with the front crank keyway. The other problem was the starter, it would stick and the cure was a tap of a hammer.
I drove it from the SF Bay area to Atlanta a week before Christmas of 67 and 3 months later drove back.
I left it with a friend when I went to work in VN and he sold for me when I decided to stay for a couple of years.
I almost got back what I paid for it.
I owned a 67, red just like this. Paid $1800 for it back when I was 23. Owned a 72 MG Midget at the same time, still lived with my parents. I loved the Alpine and the Midget, but got tired of constantly wrenching on them. Sold the MG to our youth Pastor and traded the Alpine for a brand new 82 Mitsubishi (Dodge) pick-up.
Well, I just happen to know where a Tiger 260 is currently residing. Maybe a Tiger swap.
I agree with 914Shifter, very nice car to drive, I had a 1966.
This would be a drive, have fun and fix/restore as you go. I have an 65 Alpine and a Tiger, no more room for another Alpine but this one would not be a bad buy.
This one, and the rest, were boxy on the corners but sleek in front of the radiator and trunk. The form didn’t follow function half as well as a TR6.
Well… the TR6 was an efficient German (Karman) re-style over Italian (Michelotti) bones… the Alpine was a Kenneth Howes design obviously influenced by his time at Loewy studios (Studebaker) and Ford… Interesting that both designs started with US inspired rear fins that ultimately were bobbed in the end…
The underpinnings came from the Husky van, I had one 60 years ago,
Due to the 3 bearing engiine it got overholed evry 2-3 years .
I got an original 1750 that were tuned instead. It were the fastest Hus