Vehicle description
Fabulous , Fully restored between 2006 and 2012 and carefully used since floor change gearbox servo brakes displayed at the NEC in 2014 and used for film work original number plate one of only 1,192 made and perhaps 200 surviving a wonderful example of this elegant open tourer . Launched in March 1953, the Sunbeam Alpine two seater sports roadster was inspired by a one off open rally car built by Bournemouth Sunbeam Talbot dealer, George Hartwell. The record-breaking 120mph runs by Stirling Moss at Montlhery and Jabbeke.Only 1,192 were made and it is thought that only about 200 survive today. she has the original buff logbook shows, this Sunbeam Alpine MkI was first registered in June 1954 and was originally owned by a Mr Alfred Cordin of Dunbar who kept it until 1968. It then had two further Scottish owners before moving to Bedfordshire in the 1970s where it remained until the previous owner acquired it in 2006.By this time the Alpine had been completely dismantled and although the chassis had been restored and the engine rebuilt, the rest of the car was in boxes. Over the next six years it was treated to a thorough restoration as documented by many invoices on file. This included new inner and outer sills and wheel arch sections, new floor panels and a new rear apron. All the brightwork was rechromed and the interior was professionally retrimmed in beige leather including door cards and dash top along with a refurbished steering wheel and dash instruments, new navy blue canvas hood and refurbished side-screens. The brakes, suspension and steering were fully overhauled with many new parts, and the wiring harness was also renewed. The engine was in good condition following the earlier rebuild and needed nothing more than a thorough service and tune-up. The original column-change gearbox was swapped for a floor change four speed with overdrive, a well known conversion which makes the Alpine much nicer to drive. The attention to detail is most impressive, with every nut, bolt and screw replaced with new zinc plated items of the correct type even the springs for the boot lid mechanism are new. during the restoration it was discovered that it had originally been painted Sapphire Blue, as confirmed by records kept by the Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register and by traces of the original blue paint found in the engine bay, so it was returned to this colour. This not only suits the car beautifully, it also makes it the same colour as the Alpine so memorably driven by Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcocks 1955 classic, To Catch a Thief. Once the restoration was completed in October 2012, the car was in light regular use, including attending national STAR Club meetings in Wales and the North of England. In 2014 it was exhibited on the Club stand at the NEC as the focal point of their To Catch a Thief display and in 2015 it also starred in an episode of the BBC s Father Brown series recently the braking system has been overhauled and fitted with a servo which has greatly improved the stopping power, all this work being carried out by Creed and Shore Motorworks of Prees. The starter motor was also rebuilt and a new distributor cap fitted. Driving exceptionally well with good 50psi oil pressure and notably effective brakes. What a wonderful vehicle