The Alpine was Rootes competitor to the MG. That was the MGA back when the first Alpine (with its pointy fins) arrived in 1960, with its 1494 cc four making 83.5 gross hp, enough to be competitive. That was upped to 1592 cc a year later with 86 hp. But when the new MGB showed up in 1963, it packed all of 1798 cc and 94 hp. The Alpine was slipping further behind.
That was largely rectified for 1966 with the Series V Alpine, which had a substantially revised new 1725 cc version of the Rootes four banger, and now with five main bearings. Take that, MGB! (the MHB got five main bearings too in 1967).
The Alpine’s new cylinder head was also cast from aluminum; heady stuff! A pair of Stromberg CD carbs encouraged the engine to make its maximum rated power at 5500 rpm. And of course torque was up to, contributing to a noticably greater snap in around town driving.
The tested Alpine did not have the optional overdrive, an unfortunate deletion, as it created a rather buzzy atmosphere at highway speeds, thanks to the 4.22:1 rear axle ratio. The Alpine was deemed to “handle well enough to make exuberant driving a pleasure.” That’s not exactly gushing praise, but…good enough. The all-syncro transmission shifted well, and the disc/drum brake combination (F/R) worked well. The interior was generally well regarded, but there was the curious omission of any sun visors. Hmm. The trunk was significantly larger than typical for a sports roadster.
In summation, R&T said “it continues to be one of the most civilized of the contemporary sports cars. We like it.”
Related CC reading:
What a coincident! I just watched the gangster movie “Get Carter” in TCM on Friday, it featured a Sunbeam Alpine (the same model with refreshing shape) driven aggressively in various shots. I specially enjoy the mix of driving with sex scenes. The movie makes us believe this car was very capable and sporty. And its interior was very nicely done. Those were the last glory days of British roadster.
Also watching recently another TCM feature “Birds” it features a even nicer British roadster, Aston Martin DB2/4 Drop Head
Haha, I actually finished watching that one not two hours ago. I laughed at the review’s mention of the large trunk, which was big enough for Michael Caine to make an unwilling woman get into. I like to think they let her out before filming the scene where the Land Rover pushed the Alpine off the pier into the water.
It was odd looking at that car, seeing the “Alpine” badge and listening to the sounds of a throaty 4 cylinder. Here in the US I was more used to being exposed to the Tiger with sound effects courtesy of the Ford 289.
That movie is awesome. I saw it on TCM as well but a few years ago, the sunbeam scenes were exciting to say the least
How could you complain: 99 HP with only 2200 lbs to pull around, a little over a dollar a pound ($ 2,594) to buy, and plenty of sunshine. A bit drafty in the winter, the wash and wear suit was coming on line at the time.
Ready to climb aboard my Time Machine and snag an example before Maxwell Smart grabs it.
In 1980 I was convertible sports car shopping.
The same used car lot had a Fiat 124, MGB and a Sunbeam Alpine.
The Fiat felt slightly quicker than the others, the MG felt like a coal cart on wheels, the Sunbeam was the best overall choice. Beautiful dashboard, comfortable interior, peppy enough with the overdrive working, appealing BRG exterior color/caramel interior.
I went back the next day, cash in hand, ready to buy the Sunbeam. Somebody had beat me to it. I compromised on the Fiat 124 Spyder. I should had been quicker on the Sunbeam.
Dashboard pic from the Sunbeam Alpine featured in the movie “Butterfield 8”.
The first Alpine did not have pointy fins of course. These only appeared in 1959 on the second version of the Alpine. The real first Alpines appeared in 1953 with a sloping rear.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-european/curbside-classic-1953-1955-sunbeam-alpine-first-dibs/
Here is mine, bought a month ago.
That’s a great looking car, Dion. Congratulations!
Fins and all, I loved the one Liz Taylor drove in “Butterfield 8”.
I scream in agony at the ending of the movie when the Sunbeam is launched.
The 4.22 rear axle ratio is what was in the station wagons of the Rootes cars 3,89 was the sedan gearing what Rootes really did with its Laycock option was provide a passing or hill gear not an economy or cruising ratio 4th gear overdrive equated to direct drive of the 4 speed I have that same driveline in my 66 wagon just havent got the alloy Arrow type cylinder head though both it or a Perkins diesel were optional on MK4 66 estates. I do have a couple of spare 5 main bearing 1725 engines so anything is possible in the future.
Actually if you break the little Sunbeam Alpine down to its components it was a very cheap car for Rootes to build the floorpan is shared with the Hillman Husky/Commer Cob SWB van the front suspension and disc brakes are straight from the Hillman Super Minx as is the gearbox and rear axle and brakes the engine is 1725 Superminx with the alloy head used on the Rapier since 56 the body work is the big difference from the bread and butter models, the alloy heads also appeared on all Arrow model sedans in NZ for some reason ours were specced up a little so clones of the Alpine engine are easy to build here only the camshaft and head have to be swapped over.
BMC used the same methods for the MG range upspec the regular engines.