The Sunbeam Alpine Series 1 was designed by Kenneth Howes and Jeff Crompton in 1956 when they were given the task of producing a dedicated sports car aimed principally at the US market. Ken Howes contributed some 80% of the overall design work, which bears more than coincidental resemblance to the early Ford Thunderbird, as Howe had worked at Ford's design centre in Detroit before joining the Rootes Group.
The all new Alpine made its debut in 1959 and were built on a modified floorpan from the Hillman Husky estate car. The running gear came mainly from the Sunbeam Rapier, but with front disc brakes and optional Overdrive and Wire Wheels. The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs and wishbones plus an anti-roll bar and at the rear it has a live axle with semi elliptic springs. The Engine was the standard Rootes Group 1494 cc pushrod operated overhead valve unit a new aluminium cylinder head to provide a small increase in power and also fitted to the Hillman Minx in 1958. and which produced in that car around 58 bhp but with a compression ratio of only 8.5 to 1. When tested by the Motor magazine in 1959, it had a top speed of 99.5mph and could accelerate from 0–60 mph in 13.6 seconds. Not startling by todays standards, but in 1959 it put the car on a par with most other sports cars and even some like the TR3 with bigger Engines.
The car is a two/occasional four seater having a small bench seat behind the two bucket seats at the front and the interior, although not lavishly equipped has good instrumentation with a Rev Counter, Speedometer, Oil pressure gauge, Fuel gauge and water temperature gauge.
This lovely example is Chassis No: B0000013 and according to the Sunbeam Alpine Owners Club it appears to be the earliest known survivor of all the Series 1 cars except for a racing prototype. It was first registered to a Mr Peter John Hankey of Truro in Cornwall on 11th August 1959 and remained in his ownership until he sold the car in July 2000 to a Mr Don Scott of Lancing, Sussex.
This car has been extensively restored at some point in the last 20 years and the bodywork is completely rust-free with near perfect panel gaps. Unfortunately, the history file has been lost and therefore we do not know who or exactly what has been done to the car, although a SAOC official has inspected the car and confirms that it is very original and retains the correct specifications for an early Series 1 car, despite the colour having been changed from Moonstone to Carnival Red at some point during its early life and a 1725cc Engine installed we think during the 1970's.
It is finished in Carnival Red with Black Leather trim with Red piping, new Black carpets, new Black vinyl Soft Top, excellent Chromework and Stove enamelled Wire Wheels. The speedometer is showing 92,000 which we cannot confirm as original, although the National Mileage Register does not indicate any discrepancy and it is HPi clear. The registration number YFJ 350 is its original number as issued by Exeter County Council in September 1959.
This is a lovely car that drives beautifully and the only faults that we know of are a few paint chips and blemishes on the bodywork.
This is the oldest Alpine known and consequently it does make it far more valuable than others, despite not being perfect, but we are inviting offers in the region of £15,000.
Car on display @ our showrooms