Some auto collectors migrate to a specific kind of vehicle, such as pony cars. Others to a specific type of automobile, like muscle cars. And there are the ones who want as many of a specific make of car as they can get their hands on. The latter is the case here, with the British-built Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger. 15 in all, including a cache of spare parts. This rusty “collection” is in Redmond, Oregon, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace where the seller wants to part with them as a package deal.
The Sunbeam Alpine was a 2-seat sports car (roadsters and coupes) built by the Rootes Group from 1953 to 1955, and then again from 1959 to 1968. They ran across five generations or “series” with the latter years being more well known in the U.S. The Tiger was a derivative of the Alpine but came with a V8 engine supplied by Ford (260 or 289 cubic inches, depending on vintage). The Alpine got its name from its early racing days in the Swiss Alps. Except for the Tiger, they were all powered by inline 4-cylinder engines of varying displacements over the years.
As a product myself of the 1950s and 1960s, I first recall the Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger from the old TV show, Get Smart. In it, secret agent Don Adams (aka Maxwell Smart) drove a red convertible in the opening sequence of the show in its first few seasons. These were nifty little cars that seemed to handle quite well, especially the Alpines with lower weight over the front wheels (the V8 Tigers were heavier).
Why or how the seller managed to accumulate 15 Alpines and Tigers is unknown. But scattered around in the brush are some other cars, too, like what resembles an old Lincoln and also a Ford Torino. Most of these vehicles look to be well past the stage of being saved but might have a body panel or two that could be salvaged. But there are a couple in the photos that might have a future. We don’t know the mix of Alpines vs. Tigers or the specific model years.
The listing for these cars was first placed several months ago and it looks as though the starting price was $22,500. But since the seller wants to move these cars and parts as a single sale, it will take a special kind of buyer to work a deal with. Better luck may be found by selling some of the cars individually and the parts as a batch. More than 70,000 Alpines were built back in the day and another 10% on top of that were Tigers.
Whitworth I wonder…
Actually 77,000 Alpines and 7067 Tigers. I could only spy 1 Tiger in the ad pics. Also a Daimler SP250. I think he’s got this pile ambitiously priced for what I can see. Hey Good Luck to the new owner (might be the scrap pile).
Alpines -Tigers- and Daimlers- O MY Must be in OZ
Lazy seller, you want to move these take a good inventory and let people know what they get for $22K. Or separate the Tigers from the Alpine and sell in a lot that way. I need good panels for my restoration and this is a promising place to find panels but I don’t need 15. I would buy all of them but the wife would disown me.
let her!!!!!!!
Hmm, no Herrington LeMans? Here’s what irks me about this ad, can’t have one Sunbeam in poor condition, got to have 15. I realize this hobby revolves around high hopes, but come on, 15? Borderline hoarders. That’s what they spend their money on? Rotting in the weeds and sun? 1st of all, I’d have to think any Tiger worth saving already has been, and nobody cares about the Alpine. Not to blame the kids any, may as well try, but in the end, it will all be crushed for $200/ton.
This lot is best left to an Alpine restoration specialist, who can extract the maximum value from this “collection”. Save what looks salvageable, and part out the rest, you might be able to get half of them drivable again, with a little luck. If your luck runs out, though, they could all become scrap metal, to be recycled into new Hondas or Toyotas!
I owned a 1964 Sunbeam series IV and then a 1967 Sunbeam Tiger. A total of 7003 Tigers were built by Rootes Group. Both the Alpine and Tiger were great cars.
Get Smart show
How many you guys remember
“Missed it by THAT much!” “Would you believe…” “Oh, Max!”
99: “Max, can we find our way out of here?”
86: Don’t worry, 99. I know the layout of this entire complex like the back of my hand! 99?”
99: “Yes, Max?”
86: “Where’s the back of my hand?”
God, I miss that show!
The Rootes Group also made the Hillman Minx, a little 4 door sedan with an inline 4cyl. and a 4 speed manual column shift. I had a 1959 Hillman Gray/Red with a gray tuck and roll factory interior. It had 15 inch wheels but a small tire like maybe a 560/15. It was a great car.
I live close to Redmond. I have owned Alpines and know the value of a Tiger. However, I have studied these pics on Facebook and could not identify any Tiger bodies, and nothing that looked worth the trouble. These might be all the rejects from a life of putting together drivable cars?? However, at least rust is not a big issue here on the dry side of Oregon.
In the second image from the top, the stripped car will all the “bondo” and rust looks like it might have a Tiger’s trim strip on the driver’s door.
But those pine needles don’t help much….
“914Shifter” – go look at them! You are close. There are 3 Tigers in the lot. Facebook pictures do not do it justice. You can’t see it all from the pictures. I am friends with the seller and he wants to sell it all. There is a lot of parts.
Do we have to join Facebook to get more info? Can you imagine the cost of dragging them out of the dirt and transporting? It would be nice to see pictures of the tags and paperwork on the Tigers. Even in “dry” climates sitting in dirt for 20 years will take it’s toll…
yep….all I’m seeing is a bunch of picked over hulls save for one or two Alpines…
In the words of Maxwell Smart; “Would you believe”? “No thanks Chief”!
“Sorry about that, Chief!” “Oh, Max!”
I wish the seller all the luck in the world. In a perfect world, someone would buy the lot and restore them all to new. The world isn’t perfect though. Can’t imagine the cost of buying this, then having it shipped somewhere. .. then, speaking of somewhere, the buyer would need room for it all. Just don’t see it happening at any price.
Having titles for all those cars will be important if you want to put any of them back on the road.
My second oldest brother had an Alpine convertible back in the late 60’s. It was a 4 cylinder. My third oldest brother totalled it while showing off for a girl. Unlike me if someone wrecked my car, there was no fight. I was greatly disappointed. Anyway, it was a cool car and I loved riding in it.
The cost of rescue, restoration, and/ or parts recovery will far exceed any possible returns. Just sayin’
My first new car was a 1961 Alpine, Wedgewood Blue, wire wheels, hardtop. If I could find a nice one, I’de buy it. Bill Schley
Hey Bill: There are lots of ‘nice ones’ for sale. Not too many Series I but lots of Series II Alpines and later around for sale. These cars are still available atva decent price and you can’t beat them as a 60’s ‘fun to drive’ car.
A package deal for the crusher!
Hey guys….. Your comments are quick to judge without reaching out and calling for the details. To help you…. This is what the owner told me yesterday.
“There are 12-Alpines and 7-have Title paper work (Bills of Sale from the Oregon Circuit Court, Power of attorneys, Death Certificate etc.). there are 3-Tigers and 2-have same title paper work from the Oregon State Circuit Court. Two Tigers are listed in The “Book Of Norman” Registry and Both have Complete Running gear, 5-bolt 260 engines, top loader close ratio 4-speed trans, Rear ends including: Fan shroud, Air cleaner, V8 Gauges, Shifter, Burp Tank, Shifters, Remote Oil Filter, etc. etc. . . and Yes They are Major Projects .. but there are a lot of Parts Cars to retrieve parts from..”
I have seen these cars in person and there is a lot more there that you cannot see. Much more worthy than a “crusher pile”. Reach out before you comment…..you will be pleasantly surprised.
Are these your cars Brian?
They belong to a friend of mine.
Can you take about a hundred more pics and put them on that book ad. He would get a lot more people interested.
Brian, I own 8 Sunbeams. They are sweet drivable small sports cars.
Parts are difficult to get at times. The sheet metal is most difficult for owners wanting to restore their Sunbeams.
It is unbelieveable the many “small” pieces of the Subeam that can be retrieved from this stash of Sunbeams.
I designed and sell conversion components to install Ford 2.8 V6 engines mated to the T5’s. The X-frames are susceptible to rust, so I have fabricated replacement panels for the Sunbeam Alpine/Tigers because they were not available anywhere else.
If I was closer it is for sure I would be trying to salvage them all.
DanR
The windshield frames ae becoming more valuable due to rust. Lots of Alpine/Tiger owners need these frequently doing restorations
DanR