The Sunbeam Alpine was a 2-seat British sports car produced by the Rootes Group from 1953-55 and again in 1959-68. The seller’s car is either a Series II or Series III model depending on when it was built in 1963. Either way, it employed a 97 cubic-inch inline-4 with an output of 80 hp. From the looks of things, this one is either a nice survivor or wears an older restoration. Offered in San Diego, California, this Alpine is available here on craigslist for $19,000 OBO.
About 20,000 of the Series II models were built, followed by about 6,000 of the Series III, which would be the rarest of the Alpines. How many of these cars were shipped to the U.S. isn’t known and if memory serves me these cars were available through Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth dealerships. The Alpine is not to be mistaken for the Sunbeam Tiger which had a V8 engine and was driven by Don Adams, aka Maxwell Smart, in the 1960s TV spy comedy, Get Smart.
The seller’s ’63 is wearing yellow/gold/cream paint that looks to be in nice condition with no glaring issues with the sheet metal or chrome. But there are a lot of shadows in the photos, so we can’t be sure. The interior is super nice and could be original given the reported mileage of 25,000, but it could just as easily have been redone at some point. The Sunbeam comes with a removable hardtop (not pictured). While tailfins were on their way out in automotive styling in the 1960s, they look right on a car like this (and they housed the car’s fuel supply).
We’re told the 1592-cc motor and 4-speed manual transmission are numbers matching, always a plus on a vintage car. And the seller says it runs strong. These little autos could reach speeds up to 100 mph and could do 0-60 in 13-14 seconds while only consuming gasoline at the rate of 26 mpg. NADAs suggests that one of these cars can be worth as much as $40,000, so does that make the seller’s Alpine a bargain buy?
I happen to get one years ago,Believe its a series 3 @1967. Found it in a bone yard. ( no Title) or engine or trans, Had a Chrysler medalan on the lower right front fender Like the U S made cars.I cked with a Sunbeam club@ found out there arnt any body numbers on any of them. There is a plate on the right hand side on the body with 4 rivets in it.Picked up a1968 4 banger in it. Removed the plate@ put it on my 67.Have a FORD pinto 2000@ 4 speed with ford Alt, along with station wagon rear brake backing plate assemblys@ found a Tiger wood dash@ has high back seats in it now.
A ’67 Alpine was a Series 5, not 3.
Thanks for correcting me, Years ago was thinking of cloneing it with a V8, till I found out you needed a firewall kit@ the back cylinder plugs had to be changed under the dash. 2 months ago found a V4 Saab ( Ford ) engine apart@ knew a pinto trans would fit it. another project, was The Tiger series 5 or 6 ?
Is it just me or 40,000 for an Alpine? Didn’t realize I was living in a parallel universe.
That has to be the Tiger version, I would imagine. A lot of those “book” value things, even the Haggerty ones are often not at all clear.
This is a Series 2, Series 3 would have quarter light windows (and the later squarer hardtop). The interior is re-trimmed, so maybe the mileage is not as low as claimed.
Doesn´t look like a bargain to my eyes, tbh. I think $20000 can buy some very nice Alpines in CA unless the market has suddenly changed.
My first car was a ‘62 Series III.
Quarter windows and the “square” hard top were Series IV.
(I’m restoring a ‘67 Series V now)
Hi, Brad. Series III cars had the squarer hardtop, and vent wings in the door windows. I own a Series II car. No vent wing windows and it came with the earlier style, “bubble” shaped aluminum hardtop. The car was built very late in ‘62, It is 11th to last Series II, and originally titled as a 1963.
I love all the Series Alpines but especially Series II and III. Lost my resistance to those taller, longer fins about a year after I bought mine in 1983. 😋
I always liked this model with the understated yet obvious fins. These cars are indestructible! I know, because I tried to destroy on once. HA! No wonder the Tiger power train was added to couple a 289 V8 into them. The owner must know this, and thus the higher price. My real love is its Scottish Cousin, the 1955 Hillman Husky wagon. I had one of those once with the later Alpine drive train. So cute, and a barrel of fun. Last I saw of mine was on a hill in San Francisco. I would buy it back anytime!
The Alpine and the Tiger were both based on the Husky platform, James! And the Alpines are strong cars, if rust didn´t kill them. so you´re right on most counts. Most Tigers had a 260 V8, though, only the few Mk2 Tigers built at the end of the run went to 289.
It´s apparently not that easy to drop the Ford V8 into an Alpine so every serious Tiger buyer looks for fakes and an S2 would be the wrong shape anyway. V6 engines are a popular, sensible swap for someone wanting to upgrade an Alpine.
The S2 Alpine was also the first James Bond car (Dr No). But unless this is that very car, asking price is highly optimistic for a San Diego car with Tijuana trim.
The later Alpines were NOT sports cars,more a glorified Hillman Minx.
Luke, is an MGB not a glorified Austin Cambridge? A Spitfire a cut down Herald? Etc.
I´d actually take a Minx over a Cambridge if push came to shove.
But I agree, the Alpine was always seen as a bit of a soft option for most enthusiasts and the first Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine you refer to was much superior.
Agree Martin!I had an MGB & a Herald – good cars.I missed a ’54 Alpine back in the day for £40.Look what they fetch now.One was used in the movie “Night of The Demon”,driven by Peggy Cummings.Scary film.
Not too bad, i think you could get it much cheaper, don’t forget the AM & FM radio!!
you must have banged your head 19000 for an early car,this has so much wrong with it so yes fully restored to original condition maybe 20000 but this looks like 5-6000$ worth but hey who am i only been into sunbeams alpines and tiger for 40+ years,good luck and hope you fined that person if so send them my way i have a 1976 jensen interceptor convertible for only 2 million dollars
It’s pink.
As others have pointed out, this is far from a survivor car. The paint is not original, nor are the seats and the rest of the interior appears to have been extensively redone. The engine compartment should be body colored, but this looks to be painted black. IF it is rust-free, it could be a good start at a really nice car, but it is priced well beyond its value.
Hi, Brad. Series III cars had the squarer hardtop, and vent wings in the door windows. I own a Series II car. No vent wing windows and it came with the earlier style, “bubble” shaped aluminum hardtop. The car was built very late in ‘62, It is 11th to last Series II, and originally titled as a 1963.
I love all the Series Alpines but especially Series II and III. Lost my resistance to those taller, longer fins about a year after I bought mine in 1983. 😋