SUNBEAM ALPINE Mk IV 4 Convertible/Hardtop Classic One Owner 1964

Sunbeam Alpine MkIV  - The original and first James Bond car used in Dr No by Sean Connery
Owned by my wife's mother since new
Garage stored from new.
Engine starts & runs fine
Good Leather interior
Clean engine bay and boot.
Complete with original metal hardtop
Brakes binding so will need adjustment for MOT
Lovely project for a keen classic car enthusiast with a little time & aptitude to return this car to it's full glory.
Lack of use forces reluctant sale 
Collect Harpenden AL5 
Vic 07887 577294

The Sunbeam Alpine is a sporty two-seat open car from Rootes Group's Sunbeam car marque.  [edit source | editbeta]

Sunbeam Alpine Series I to VProduction1959–1968
69. 51 made[1]SuccessornoneBody style2-door roadsterEngineSeries I: 91. 2 cu in (1. 5 L) I4
Series II. III & IV—1592 cc (1. 6L) I4
Series V—1725 cc (1. 7L) I4Wheelbase86 in (2. 84 mm)[3]Length155 in (3. 37 mm)[3]Width61 in (1. 49 mm)[3]Height51 in (1. 95 mm)[5]RelatedSunbeam Tiger

Kenneth Howes and Jeff Crompton were tasked with doing a complete redesign in 1956. with the goal of producing a dedicated sports car aimed principally at the US market. Ken Howes contributed some 80 per cent of the overall design work. which bears more than incidental resemblance to the early Ford Thunderbird[citation needed]; Howe had worked at Ford before joining Rootes.

The Alpine was produced in four subsequent revisions through to 1968. Total production numbered around 70. 00. Production stopped shortly after the Chrysler takeover of the Rootes Group.

Series I 1959–1960[edit source | editbeta]

The "Series" Alpine started production in 1959. One of the original prototypes still survives and was raced by British Touring car champion Bernard Unett. [6]

The car made extensive use of components from other Rootes Group vehicles and was built on a modified floorpan from the Hillman Husky estate car. [4]The running gear came mainly from the Sunbeam Rapier. but with front disc brakes replacing the saloon car's drums. An overdrive unit and wire wheels were optional. The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs and at the rear had a live axle and semi-elliptic springing. The Girling-manufactured brakes used 9. 5 in (241 mm) disc at the front and 9 in (229 mm)drums at the rear.

Coupe versions of the post-1959 version were built by Thomas Harrington Ltd. Until 1962 the car was assembled for Rootes by Armstrong Siddeley. [1]

An open car with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1959. It had a top speed of 99. 5 mph (160. 1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 13. 6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 31. 4 miles per imperial gallon (9. 00 L/100 km; 26. 1 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1031 including taxes. [5]

11. 04 examples of the series I were produced. [1]

In 1960 Sunbeam marketed a limited-production three-door variant of the Alpine. marketed as a shooting brake. With leather interior and walnut trim. its price was double that of its open counterpart. [7

Series II 1960–1963

The Series II of 1960 featured an enlarged 1592 cc engine producing 80 bhp and revised rear suspension. but there were few other changes. When it was replaced in 1963. 19. 56 had been made. [1]

A Series II with hardtop and overdrive was tested by The Motor magazine in 1960. which recorded a top speed of 98. 6 mph (158. 7 km/h). acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 13. 6 seconds and a fuel consumption of 31. 0 miles per imperial gallon (9. 11 L/100 km; 25. 8 mpg-US). The test car cost £1. 10 including taxes. [8]

Series III 1963–1964]

The Series III was produced in open and removable hardtop versions. On the hardtop version the top could be removed but no soft-top was provided as the area it would have been folded into was occupied by a small rear seat. Also. the 1592 cc engine developed less power. To provide more room in the boot. twin fuel tanks in the rear wings were fitted. Quarter light were fitted to the windows. Between 1963 and 1964. 5863 were made. [1]

Series IV 1964–1965

The lower-output engine option was now dropped with convertible and hardtop versions sharing the 82 bhp engine with single Solex carburettor. A new rear styling was introduced with the fins largely removed. Automatic transmission with floor-mounted control became an option. but was unpopular. From autumn 1964 a new manual gearbox with synchromesh on first gear was adopted in line with its use in other Rootes cars. A total of 12. 06 were made. [1]

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?