The allure of a package deal can be measured on the basis of the cars involved. Getting, say, a Fox body Mustang GT with a short-bed F150 pickup? Well, that’s a pretty decent garage without much effort. That’s just the first random pairing that popped into my head, but you get the idea. To have two of the same makes and models would indicate a strong affinity for a brand, so selling a pair of the same car may require some patience. This listing is for a pair of project-grade Sunbeam Alpines, and they’re listed here on craigslist as mostly-finished projects for $20,000 or best offer.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. The car in the first photo is a ’63 edition that supposedly starts right up and runs well enough, with a numbers-matching drivetrain and a factory hardtop (and the soft top, too). That’s a pretty nice package right off the bat, but if you pay the asking price or close to it, you’ll also get this ’64 model that is claimed to be a rust-free example and ready for paint. The first car apparently has a small amount of rust but I don’t think it’s terribly significant based on the description. Both Alpines are registered and come with titles, so despite being projects, they’re hardly derelict.
I had a good friend in high school who was into the Sunbeam Alpine, of all things. His dad liked Triumphs and had a thing for GT6s; the Alpine seemed like an attainable project car that allowed him to go to car shows with his pop. I was never overwhelmed by it; yes, it was slow, but that wasn’t the issue. It just didn’t seem to handle all that well, and that’s generally the trade-off I see with a slow sports car. It may be slow, but nothing will catch it in the corners. I suppose his car wasn’t set up to do anything other than cruise, owing to the typical high schooler’s budget. The engine bay is quite dusty, suggesting a few years of inactivity.
The listing doesn’t mention it but apparently, the new owner will get some nice parts in the sale as well, with this photo showing a complete white (leather? vinyl) interior looking primed for installation. The seller strikes me as the kind of owner who did things right and didn’t let these two projects spiral out of control with pats strewn across the garage in mislabeled boxes. I don’t think he’ll see $20,000 for the pair, but $12,000-$15,000 might be a reasonable ask for two nearly rust-free Alpines with numbers-matching drivetrains intact.
Do they use Whitworth?
There are a couple of Whitworth screws and bolts on Alpines (e.g., one Whitworth screw on the seat mechanism), but 99.9% of them are SAE standard.
I am into the Sunbeams Have 6 of them. I can attest to their driveing pleasures..
Two of mine are SIV’s and the others are SV’s
One of the SIV’s is a GT I rescued from the scrap yard perhaps 35 years ago.
It is a beauty. To get the body metal into good shape is expensive and these both seem to have “good” bodies. The body shell is in itself worth $4 to $5 grand. Then add to it what the other small parts will cost you are approching anothe $4 to $5. As has been stated for the Hard tops a decent top is worth upwards to $2 to $5 depending on t’s condition.
Someone said $10 was streching it but, I begg to differ. After going thru three different total restoration/repairs $10 each is a fair deal.
Always check the frame!!! I got burned on a 240z, and since, I always check the frame!
Agree with Jeff–no way for $20k–maybe $10 and they should take it & run.
The ’64 looks to be a SIV GT, which was an upscale model with better interior (note the walnut dashboard), hardtop, no soft top and overdrive transmission. OD transmissions make a huge improvement in the drivability of an Alpine and are thus highly sought after. Hardtops also fit Tigers and are also very desirable. Rusty but restorable ones are often $1000. Good, rust free ones are several multiples of that. Depending on their condition, these two options alone will significantly add to the value of the project. But, I agree: $20,000 for two project Alpines is quite a stretch.