Sunbeam Alpine Series V

Series 5 Sunbeam Alpine first registered in Nottingham in January 1968. has been a local car all it's life.  I bought the car in 2006 from an elderly friend who had owned it from the early seventies. at that time it had not been running for a few years and was looking a little shabby.  Delving into the history. it was one of the last made.  The car is not concours or had stupid money spent on it. it has had some welding done in the past but is very sound and quite capable of passing the 'Alpine Structure Test' of jacking up the back and checking that the doors aren't wedged shut!   The chassis. floors and sills are good following repairs. she is 45 years old and with care quite capable of lasting another 45!

When I got her. I fully overhauled the front suspension. fitting refurbished springs and wishbones and a full set of polyurethane bushes. the front calipers were overhauled with new pistons and seals. as were the back wheel cylinders with new hoses and new brake pipes being fitted as necessary. the brake discs were professionally skimmed.  The car had new shock absorbers fitted all round and in the winter of 2011. I fitted new rear leaf springs.  She always sails through the MOT test. last tested in June.

The engine is original and the engine and chassis numbers match to confirm this. the lusty 1725 Rootes engine always performed well and so she still does. quick off the mark. holding decent oil pressure and no smoking.  I overhauled the carburettors and fitted new diaphragms. other than that the engine required nothing doing.

The gearbox is tight and crisp without any whines or problems. nor is there the hint of any problem with the back axle which is likewise quiet.  The gearbox again is original and is a factory fitted overdrive unit. which I fitted with a new solenoid and it operates smoothly.  All in all the mechanical combination means that the car is well capable of keeping up with modern traffic and cruises comfortably without any overheating problems. although an electric auxiliary fan is fitted if you get held up in traffic in our now tropical weather.   

After carrying out the mechanical work I had the car fully stripped to bare metal and refinished in two-pack paint.  There was no need for any further welding as the underside was now sound and had shown absolutely no further sign of deterioration.  After painting (professionally - a super job!) I fitted new screen. window and door seals. A bit of a gremlin has appeared on the passenger wing adjacent to the bonnet. but this is not easily noticeable unless you get close up and has not worsened over the last 5 years.

The brightwork is in very decent condition. the front bumper has been re-chromed and the back one (although not the correct bumper) is very presentable. All the rest is equally presentable. the filler cap is nearly new.  The battery is recent and incorporates an isolation connection.  

The car was originally a GT Overdrive. which means it was supplied with a removable hard-top.  I have converted it to a roadster by fitting a soft-top using all original Sunbeam Alpine parts so it is as near identical to a factory roadster as possible. the S5 roadster had a scruffy looking vinyl hood cover. I used the S4 steel panels which look much neater.  The car does come with a GRP removable hard top which I bought new and had painted in the same green colour.  It can be fitted in a few minutes and offers security and good weather resistance.  The soft top is vinyl and is functional and presentable without any rips or tears and the window is decent too. but is a little worn.  The tonneau cover is as new.

She sits on four Minator (Minilite style) alloy wheels which are nearly new and totally undamaged. the tyres have only minimal wear too.  The four original steel wheels. complete with decent tyres come with the car.  

As for the interior. I have fitted a pair of full leather MGF seats which greatly increase driving comfort (and appearance!) The original seats and their sub-frames come with the car if the purchaser wants them and can easily be refitted . they are nor ripped or torn but would benefit from a bit of re-padding.  The carpets are decent. all the dash functions work but the clock throws a wobbler from time to time and works when it feels like it - might be a poor connection or wants a blow-out.  Fitted with a period radio and radio housing. there is also a concealed CD Radio unit so you can play all the 'Heartbeat' music you wish.  The steering wheel is an original wooden framed one and is in good condition.  All the original switch legends are in place and the dash has been re-veneered and lacquered. no splits or cracks in dash top. The car always attracts a lot of attention at shows as it is very attractive. She drives beautifully with no knocks. rattles or bangs. insurance is very cheap and tax is free. of course.  Kept dry-garaged and I don't take it out in the rain (unless I get caught out - hence the soft-top conversion!)  I have thoroughly enjoyed owning it and am quite confident that any new owner will be more than delighted.  Much. much nicer to drive than an MGB.  

She is a fine example of a practical classic British Sports Car. please come and have a look and a test run.  I am just north of Derby.  I have a few spares which can go with the car (Fuel pump. complete distributor. new points & rotor arm. radiator. ) 

There can't be many as good as this for the price.  I would prefer the auction to run it's course but am open to sensible offers.

I can be contacted pretty much any time on 07753 928870

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?