With a mere 4000 or so exported to America (according to the seller), the Sunbeam Alpine GT makes a rare site indeed. This 1969 specimen in West Bloomfield, Michigan is presented as having “no rust,” and would certainly make an unusual site at most local car shows. This small fastback made its way to the historic US auto epicenter from Montana as part of a multi-car deal, and now it can be yours. The listing here on Craigslist asks $3800 for the four-cylinder, four passenger fastback. Thanks to reader Chuck F. for spotting this sporty ’60s classic.
What should be a four-speed manual gearbox handles the transmission of power rearward. Coming in at 2750 lb, according to ConceptCarz, the GT weighs about 400 lb less than the similarly styled first-generation Plymouth Barracuda.
The Sunbeam Alpine GT draws its roots from, well, Rootes, actually, being based on the Rootes Arrow platform that came to market under the banner of Hillman, Sunbeam, Singer, and even Chrysler. While Chrysler owned the company later in the car’s life, the American giant did not influence the design of this Barracuda-like Brit, according to Wikipedia.
At 94 HP, the 1.7L (105.3 cid) inline four would be lively with the four-speed, but not in the same vein as its American muscle car contemporaries.
Six inches shorter than the early Barracuda, the Alpine GT won’t be called a boat in this driveway or any other. Penned by the gifted and prolific designer Raymond Loewy, the car was also sold as a more upscale Sunbeam Rapier. This one appears to be fairly straight and complete, and the seller favorably describes the glass as “not broke,” a definite plus. The seller mentions a possible Hellcat swap, so that’s interesting. Can you picture yourself cruising in this rare British fastback?
Located in the Detroit,Michigan area.
I like the British Barracudas. This one looks pretty rusty and would take just about everything. There was a much nicer example on BarFinds a while back and I would be inclined to spend good money to get one that’s a good driver then restore it after it’s been enjoyed a while. Nothing worse than restoring a car you never drove and developed a bond only to find out you don’t enjoy it.
There’s surface rust, but it looks solid enough; the strut tops, in particular, look really good.
I really think Chrysler missed the boat with this one. They had a Capri fighter that just needed a bit of a styling teak, a few inches in front of the cowl would balance out the looks. Maybe increase engine to 2.0 or reintroduce the aluminum 225 slant 6 to compete with the Capri V6. Maybe drop a 340 in the R/T version.
The V6 Capri is hard to beat. I had a Mercury in ’76 and it was a great car. Should have kept it.
In profile, I always felt the wheels were undersized on this
Always good to hear that the glass isn’t bereft of funds! I’d hate to have glass that was “broke” (sic). LOL
Trying not to be pedantic, but it’s spelt sight, not site.
There; failed miserably.
You spoilt your post with spelt. Proof readers. Can’t trust ’em.
I always thought these looked like ‘Baby Barracudas’ of the time. Perhaps Chrysler’s Rootes connection had something to do with that?
The history of the design can be found here. https://www.aronline.co.uk/concepts-and-prototypes/hillman-hunter-sunbeam-rapier/
Nice looking $800 car, the guy’s hand must have slipped on the keyboard. It’s been up for sale for a while.
It is pretty solid but, where would you ever find parts? With it being that narrow under the hood a small block Ford, not a Hell Cat, engine swap would be the best bet for added power.
Always liked the styling, one of my grandfather’s neighbors had one of these on blocks in his backyard in the mid-1970s in Detroit all rotted away.
It’s good to know this jewel has “no rust”. I suppose all that red and brown I see is simply overspray?
Exotic European oxidation. Not to be confused with…
What your seeing on the body is some red oxide primer from the factory.
The salesman at New Deal Used Cars
told me it was Red Primer…..
I have done a lot of work to one of these and they dont have to be an ugly duckling.
Open up the wheel arches and flare them to fit bigger wheels, shorten the floorpan 8 inches by removing the sheetmetal from behind the doors, and drop the roof 21/2 inches. Transformed the look of the car.
Add a V8 , I used a Rover to keep the weight down, 5 speed from a Supra and a bigger diff.
Saw a few of these with rotaries installed back when I had my Sunbeam convertible. Made parts runs to Tiger Tom’s place outside Hershey, Pa.
The body looks a little too big for the tire size.
“Penned by the gifted and prolific designer Raymond Loewy” No. designed by Roy Axe.
beat me toit “1st gen cuda”. I B membah da tiger’n alpine roadsters not this hrd top.
Pretty Kouwell.
Thnx Todd
AND
Mitch for the white one.
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