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I'm hooked on 'Fins', what can I say. I owned my first Series II car in
1983. It was white with a broken grille and a battery that had been installed negative ground. Not being very familiar with
the SUNBEAM marquee, I still did not hesitate to drive off in this finned wonder. Well, enough for that car, it got me hooked.
MG, Triumph, Healeys, Jags; you know how it is in this company. My friends owned these cars and wondered why I wanted to fool around with the Alpine and not a true British sports
car. They all knew I had messed with some of the more uncommon British makes, i.e.: Morris Minor; English Ford Anglia and
Thames; MG 1100 Sedans; Triumph Mayflower… well so much for everyone knowing what I am saying here. I just like British
cars, and the Alpine is as true as they come.
In 1984 I started my own business and named it SUNBEAM AUTO RESTORATIONS. I decided to specialize
in the Alpine and have never looked back. I take in other British makes and I also hold down a full time job in a Sales position
of another nature.
The car featured is a late 1960 Series II that for the most part was in pretty good condition. The
previous owner, 'Mr. Frank' did a lot of nice things to the car over the years and it needed a good restoration when I took possession of it.
As the photos show, everything was redone, new paint; interior; wheels; rubber; carpets; etc. I added
a few extra touches of my own such as; Ansa Exhaust; Wind Wings; Series III-V badge shield on front wings; Borani Knock-off;
Walnut Wooden Fascia; Lucas 'PL' Headlights and Lucas Fog and Running lights; Dunlop SP40/185 Radials on painted Wire Wheels.
I also painted the Hardtop body color.
I worked on this particular car for about 13 months and pulled it all together in Spring 2001.
One of the first questions people ask of me when they see this car is "How much is it worth"? I may
counter with "I believe that to be in the eye of the beholder" or "What would it be worth to you?" or "When was the last time
you saw one of these cars?" or "How much History are you familiar with regarding this marquee?" When I'm asked how many miles
are actual, I laugh…who cares! You drop the top, start the engine, sound off the exhaust and cruise all day. The satisfaction
quickly surfaces to the top when you realize that everyone you pass or those who pass you are looking at your car. Every street corner or red light you pull away from
has everyone straining to
see what you are driving. Horns blow, people wave and ask from their windows "What is that?" or "Does it go in water?" Now
you settle in, a big smile covers your face as you pull your ball cap down over your brow. This is in true 'Brit' fashion
and you know it. A TR6 joins in, now an MGB..Hey, here comes a big Healey. Black sheep? I don't think so.
Let me make one thing clear about the SUNBEAM Alpine, this is a true British Roadster if ever there
was one. Countless racing stats, rally wins and satisfied owners will agree on that. These cars love to be driven, so drive
them. Show them off every chance you get. Spend some money on them
when you need to... and when you don't need to. Enjoy the fact
that you own one of the rarest of the breed in good company with some of the best British cars ever offered.
So when someone starts to give you the old 'get smart' talk or offer you toasters for your birthday,
just smile and say to yourself, "I really do own one of the most beautiful cars ever built. A true Roadster, a British beauty,
a SUNBEAM Alpine." Trump up the exhaust note, top down... Beatles on the radio…wind at your back… aaahh…!!!
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