Alpine ST vs. Alpine GT

By alpineian
Published: January 1, 2008

In some ways the all-new Series 3 Alpine, introduced in March of 1963, was a radical departure from the current Alpine’s design. Modifications such as dual gas tanks for increased capacity, more upright windshield design to accommodate fixed quarter lights, and adjustable seats and steering wheel added up to an attractive package. (click here for additional S3 information) As if this wasn’t enough change, the Series 3 also introduced two different trim levels from which to choose – The Sports Tourer (ST) and the Gran Tourismo (GT). Both the ST and GT trim levels were continued through the entire SIV and SV production runs, though the Series V GT was not officially available to the U.S. market. This article will explain the differences and offer some insight as to which may be rarer.

The ST’s features were more in line with the previous SI and SII Alpines. Front and rear rubber floor mats, convertible top, and plastic dash were expected appointments for the typical sports car buyer. Although the ST’s features were more basic, the full range of options was still available from your Sunbeam dealer. Overdrive, radio, and hard top (painted black) could be added to the ST for additional charge, but compared to the GT the standard ST was rather Spartan.

The GT offered a vast upgrade in luxury appointments. Most noticeable was the removal of the convertible top. In its place was a larger, padded rear seat. This was nicely complemented by full length pleated door panels with a padded arm rail at the top. Additionally, full carpeting graced the feet of the proud owner instead of the rubber mats that came standard on the ST. Sitting down in the fully adjustable seat you would notice the wood steering wheel and burled walnut wood veneered dash, both available only on the GT. To keep everyone dry inside a hard top, painted to match the car’s body color, was now fitted as a standard option. Sunbeam added additional sound deadening under the hood and added a canister type air filter to keep induction noise levels to a minimum. The GT was aimed squarely at the couple who wanted that sports car feel, but a quieter refined ride.

When you look at the advertising for 1963 it’s obvious that Rootes was aiming the GT squarely at North American buyers. But by time the Series IV came on line in 1964 it appears that things began to change. Based on this author’s experience Series 3 GT’s are very common. I’ve owned and parted out roughly fifteen Series 3 Alpines and all of them were GT’s. Our registry information shows roughly a 50/50 mix of GT vs. ST. Ironically it appears that the GT is more popular in the UK than the USA. Perhaps U.S. buyers were uncomfortable with the idea of not having a convertible top available during a sudden rain shower. What ever the reason, GT production began to dwindle, and by the time the Series V was released the GT was not available on LRX cars at all. In simple terms, the ST is rarer on the S3 and the GT is rarer on the SIV and SV. With only 5,863 built the Series 3 is the rarest of all Alpines, but to date we do not have a production breakdown on the number of GT’s vs. ST’s.

This author has heard many rumors regarding the GT. For example, all GT cars had wire wheels and full instrumentation. This is not true. GTs did indeed come from the factory with steel wheels. AS a matter of fact, the Series 3 sales brochure shows a Quartz Blue GT with steel wheels!

Sports Tourer

  • Convertible Top
  • Hard top optional
  • Rubber floor mats
  • Black plastic dash and wheel
  • 87 H.P.
  • No interior light
  • Standard mesh air cleaners
  • Tubular exhaust headers
  • No engine noise dampening
  • Sunvisors optional
  • Heater optional
Gran Turismo

  • No convertible top
  • Standard hard top
  • Full carpeting
  • Wood dash and wheel
  • 80 H.P.
  • Interior light
  • Micro-element air cleaner
  • Cast iron exhaust manifold
  • Padded bonnet underside
  • Sunvisors standard
  • Heater standard

ST vs. GT… well, it’s a matter of taste. I love the idea of a convertible top, but can’t pass up the wood rimmed wheel and dash! I’ll take one of each…