In 1959, while everyone else was making rudimentary sports cars with side curtains and doors that opened with pull cords, Rootes Group produced this gem. With roll-up windows, fins, a roomy cabin, and real door handles, the Alpine was aimed at the American market. The car was styled by Kenneth Howes – from Loewy Studios and Studebaker – and Jeff Crompton. It wasn’t so much an update to its predecessor – the Alpine Mk II – as it was a new approach to sporty driving, along the lines of Ford’s Thunderbird: luxurious enough, with two usable seats and just enough power to get by. The Alpine nearly always sells for less than comparable models from Triumph and MG, thanks to that lack of focus on performance. This example is listed here on eBay for $9000, and it comes with a fat file of receipts – many of these dated from when the car was new. The buyer can drive it away from North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
The first of the “series” Alpines was equipped with an anemic 1.5-liter four-cylinder. By the time the Series II was launched in 1960, displacement was up to 1.6 liters, good for a fraction more power. The car still required more than 14 seconds to amble from zero to sixty. Its underpinnings were borrowed from Rootes’ saloon cars, though up front, the Alpine’s suspension was independent and brakes were discs – an irony since drums would have brought the leisurely engine to heel perfectly well. A four-speed manual could be ordered optioned with overdrive. This car has received several bouts of maintenance in the last ten years, performed by its third owner – from new wheel cylinders and brake shoes to rebuilt carburetors. New fasteners and a relatively fresh exhaust system are shown in undercarriage photos.
The interior is in fine shape, with the seller reporting that all the gauges work. The frame and soft top are with the car, but the seller suggests replacing the latter. The Alpine has a particularly clean look, with a top that tucks completely out of sight under the rear of the cockpit. Rootes touted the “2+2” feature as an “occasional seat or parcel shelf” and that’s accurate. Packing your poodle back there would be tough.
The paint shows minor flaws here and there, and I see rust forming in the body seams. The price is about market-correct for a driver-quality car, but the new owner should keep tabs on the rust situation: in five years, expensive repairs might be required. Have you ever owned an Alpine? Let us know in the comment section.
See, the thing here is, we were so brainwashed into thinking every Sunbeam was this snarling, rubber burning beast, we simply didn’t care what a nice car the Alpine actually was. Like that V8 TR6 a while back, it’s “Americanizing” cars that really never asked for any of that. The in-line 4s were stout, well proven motors, neck jerking power shifts weren’t their forte’, it was about cruising down a country lane, top down, motor singing happily away, AND over drive. I read, early ’63s used twin carbs, but changed to a single. Thanks to Martin H. to bolster my accolades on the Rover, I’m sure he will agree, Sunbeam was a higher class car, and I’d love to have this.
Everyone thinks of the Sunbeam Tiger as the snarling beast. LS swap this and give that Tiger a run for its money!
These are neat cars. My earliest memories are of Get Smart and the ’65 Sunbeam Tiger ( I know, its different from this). I never gave much thought to the roll up windows and actual door handles and the time frame these were from until Michelle pointed those thing out compared to the competition. I like how Michelle put it with the anemic engine Ambled to 60 mph lol. But like Howard brought out, they werent bad motor, and once you get up to speed and cruising in Over Drive, well, thats what it was all about. I didn’t know very much at all about these until reading all this now this morning with my coffee trying to kick start my brain into gear. I didn’t know about them having disc brakes either, thats something of a rarity back then and I’m sure on a twisty windy fun back mountain road would definitely have been a welcome addition. I’d definitely love to take a spin in this one. Looks great to me. I enjoyed your write Michelle. And Howards ( and others in the future comments as well)
-Dave
Hi Driveinstile:
There was also an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie with one in it driven by Ray Dawn Chong. After a lengthy car chase going up Mulholland Drive they wreck it on a telephone pole, then switch to a stolen ’76 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.
It was red like “Get Smart” but don’t know if it was a Tiger or Alpine.
What was the name of that movie??? I’ll think of it after I post I’m sure .
Good thing there’s an edit button. Commando is the name of the movie
Also the 1st James Bond car :)
Very nice Alpine, buy, drive, maintain, its that simple. These are basic and easy to work on with a good following and a few suppliers for parts. This is a good buy. I have a 65 Alpine and a 65 Tiger, both are a blast to drive.
1 thing to remember when you buy any old British sportscar. There is a reason that they all come with a tool kit! The early series Alpine is as stated, a higher quality than comparable cars of this era. MGB made over the course of 30yrs 525,000 while total Alpine production was. 77,000 in 10yrs of production. The upgrades by the factory over the time of manufacture were needed. The soft top on the early cars was a rickety, persnickety mess. Not very simple to get right, the early seats also lack an adjustment for the back angle. Zenith carbs, while can be fiddled into fair reliability, are better replaced with a single Weber 32/36. The factory single was a Solex 2bbl that is just a tick better than the Zeniths. 3.89 rear end gears make these very drivable, although the non synchro first gear is part of the charm, the later boxes have better longevity. If you miss this check out my S3 in the BF Auctions page.
Having owned my series 1 for over 48 years, I guess I must like the little car. Fun to drive and rare enough to attract more than a little attention. Mine is under a restoration at this time, but looking forward to getting back on the road.
I’m a big Alpine fan. My first car was exactly this, a ‘63 Series II. I paid $250 in 1971 and drove it 3 years year-round. I’m still deeply in love with it and always regretted selling it.
Mine had an OD rear end (I was told) which made it quicker launching in 1st.
It had an aftermarket wood dash and a roll bar marked McLaren Engineering.
A hard top too!
These really are lovely cars to drive.
I just sold one that my son drove year-round and I worked on it 14 years and acquired the body parts but couldn’t finish it due to health reasons.
Rootes was not strong Financial Ly, so the floorpan came from the Husky van.
I had a Husky with the 1340cc engine, it was low geared. I had it rebuilt twice..
I were lucky to find a 1725 cc (5 bearing engine and gearbox) I had the fastest Husky in Copenhagen. It rotted away, should have saved the motor.
I have 1960 white Alpine, I have had it for a couple of years. It is fairly easy to work on and it is fun to drive. I certainly gets attention at local car gatherings. I did upgrade my with a new radiator, electric puller fans and a Weber carburetor. Mine is not perfect mechanically, has a few leaks, front end could use a rebuild, but white paint is fresh as of a few years ago and body has no rust or bondo.