Whenever you come across a Sunbeam Alpine at a car event they are well liked but everyone leads on to explain about it’s similar twin brother the Tiger. While this Alpine has been stored for many years, the body appears to be in quite fair condition, leaving the possibility open to either revive, restore, or hop up. The seller is hoping this Alpine will be sell before winter for the asking price of $3,950. Check it out here on craigslist out of Youngstown, Ohio.
Before the many years of storage, this alpine was a runner and there is still a chance that it may be. Some fresh fluids and a weekend could likely revive this old 4 cylinder, but if you are like many, a swap could be a possibility for this Sunbeam. A small block Ford V8 would certainly look at home in the engine bay, but perhaps an all-aluminum 2.4l Ecotec 4 cylinder would do the trick as well.
Inside there are a nice pair of seats, but the rest of the interior needs help. The carpet, dash and door panels have seen better days, but with the right tools and materials this interior could be resolved quickly.
Although the paint appears to be partially dirty but mostly oxidized, I would bet that the paint would polish up fairly well. I do not see any rot which is a great sign, and the body overall looks quite straight. The soft top has a cut, and the rear plastic window is shattered across the bottom. Whether you would like it stock or hopped up, this is a sharp start for a Sunbeam project. What would you do with this Alpine?
Nice beam er ! 😜
Very nice car for price !
Looks reasonably solid, but then these Rootes cars were solidly-built. My understanding is that the Alpine suffered from rattles and body/chassis flex and the solution was just to weld everything up.
The automatic (I’m guessing a BW Type 35) would make for relaxed (read: S-L-O-W) cruising.
Agree with Classic Steel that this example should offer good value for money. From my experience with these cars, unless there are major structural issues a restoration/refurbishment is within the scope of most enthusiasts, using basic tools.
I sold my 62 Alpine 2 years ago for $3000. It was in nice shape but ‘ran when parked’. New owner did a light resto & got the Alpine running & enjoying the car. Prices may have gone up in meantime but this seems a little high given condition. LD71😄
I love these little cars. and I agree with LD, the price is too high. The seats are not authentic and the interior needs work was well as everything else. Not going by values and Hagerty the car is about $1000.00 acquisition cost and one will be in it about $6000.00 for a nice driver, not bad for a hobby where the prices are inflating. I would buy this but I have no room. And transporting it to the Left Coast would be a good number.
The seats are indeed original and the whole light blue interior kit is available from after market sources.These are fun little cars that are fairly simple to work on.
At least it doesn’t have wire wheels. If it was a manual trans car, I’d be inclined to change fluids, draw gas to the fuel pump from a fresh can, and try to start it.
On this example, Plan B seems a better choice – a Rover/Buick aluminum V8
would easily get you into the Tiger performance window, plus handle better due to the better balance from less front end weight, but I don’t know if it’s been done before. Clearing the stock steering is a big issue. Of course a small block Ford might bring more money if one ever decided to sell, since it’s closer to the Tiger than anything else would be, and Tiger prices are going up…..
tiger I knew wuz ford vee,
did they offer both?
Wrong color/wrong transmission. BUT I’m tempted buy it to prevent someone trying to make a “Tiger” out of what is NOT a Tiger. AND, having driven both when they were new-ish cars? Who wants a Tiger anyway? All the things that are right about the Alpine get basically ruined with the V8. Oh..sure, the Ford is a great engine and the IDEA of that much power in a small car is cool but the actual end product becomes less than the sum of its parts. Blisters on your right foot from the OVEN called a footwell? yeah, that makes a pleasant ride. I’ve pondered a repower but something like a Toyota twin cam with a real 5 speed overdrive. Better power/mileage and nobody is the wiser if you leave the bonnet closed. PLEASE don’t destroy another nice car to make a rocket powered skateboard. Alpines are nice cars.. leave it that way.
Oh..and on the subject of Ford vs the Rover (GM) engine. I understand that the Ford, being a 60 degree V means it’s about the only V-8 that will fit. The ex-Buick engine is small but it’s a 90 degree and just too wide. Seem to recall some of these repowered with a V6 which might have also been the Ford versions. The Tigers were different firewalls and used a steering rack vs the box and linkage of the Alpine just to make room. The prototype (Shelby involved?) was a real cobbled up rig with engine mounted a lot higher in the chassis and so on. There are so many high output 4 cylinders that would fit, you should be able to get Tiger acceleration AND Alpine handling if you wanted such a thing..
An alpine was my first sports car back in the 70’s. I have had 3 of these, and many other British sports cars. I have always felt that the Alpine had the most comfortable seats and best ride for a long trip to the beach than any of the others I have owned and driven. However, I have never seen an automatic in one before?? didn’t know that was an option. and most people think it is really expensive, but have no idea what it is! Great cars! This one would clean up very nicely!.
The world does not need any more ‘Algers’