When Sunbeam designed the Alpine, its target market was North America. It adopted many of the styling cues preferred by those buyers, with the car’s appearance similar to a smaller version of the Ford Thunderbird. This 1960 Alpine is an early Series II model that is a two-owner survivor. It presents very nicely, but there is scope for somebody to lift its appearance to a higher level without spending a fortune. The seller has listed this sweet little Sunbeam here on eBay in Eagle, Idaho. Bidding sits below the reserve at $3,210, although there is a BIN option of $8,500 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.

Introduced in 1959, the Second Generation of the Sunbeam Alpine featured distinctive styling that Kenneth Howes penned. The company’s decision to add modern touches, such as wind-up windows, provides better weather protection than its competitors. The Series II broke cover in September 1960, with this car’s VIN confirming that it is an early example that rolled off the line before production switched to the Rootes Group’s Ryton facility. The seller states that they purchased the vehicle from its original owner, and that it has been garage-kept since Day One. That has allowed it to avoid the rust problems that sometimes plague these classics. It is unclear whether it has enjoyed a restoration history, but the lack of cosmetic flaws in the Wedgewood Blue paint or the steel that it cloaks suggests it is possible. The soft-top frame is present, but the seller confirms that it requires new fabric. The trim is in good condition, and this Alpine rolls on a set of correct Silver wire wheels, wrapped in narrow whitewalls.

This Alpine’s interior looks quite tidy for a survivor-grade classic of this vintage. The Black upholstered surfaces are free from significant wear and other problems, with the dash and pad equally impressive. There are a couple of cosmetic shortcomings, including faded carpet and scuffing in the glove compartment. Complete carpet sets retail from as little as $260, but splashing a few extra dollars will secure a slightly more plush alternative. The glove compartment could be painted to improve its appearance, and the only visible aftermarket addition is an underdash radio/cassette player.

The Series II Alpine brought a slightly larger engine to the party, with capacity climbing from 1,494cc to 1,592cc. The upgrade didn’t produce a massive increase in power, because while the four-cylinder motor in the Series I generated 78hp, this engine would have produced 80hp when it left the factory. A four-speed manual transmission handled shifting duties, with the company also offering an Overdrive option to improve the Alpine’s open-road cruising ability. This Sunbeam looks essentially unmolested, although it appears that the car’s original twin Zenith carburetors have made way for what I believe is a single Weber unit. This update is probably a wise move to improve user-friendliness, because the Weber is basically a “set and forget” proposition, while the Zeniths can be fiddly to tune correctly. The seller indicates that the Alpine sees regular weekend use and is in excellent mechanical health.

Sunbeam produced the Alpine from 1959 until 1968. The Series II proved to be the most successful, with 19,956 buyers handing over their cash to drive away in a classic British sports car. This 1960 Series II looks like a beauty, and with a new soft-top and fresh carpet, it would really stand out in a crowd. Neither shortcoming requires urgent attention and could be addressed as time and circumstances allow. The seller’s BIN figure looks realistic, and I won’t be surprised if somebody hits the button if the bidding starts to threaten that number. Are you tempted to be that person?