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. Continue reading “Alpine ST vs. Alpine GT”

Factory Alpine Radio Consoles

By AlpineIan
Published: December 2, 2007

Factory Optional Radio Consoles

Below I have a collection of factory radio consoles with correct period radios installed. It has been a very difficult (and expensive) project to track down these radio consoles and determine the order in which they appeared in production. The best way I have been able to identify an order of succession has been to search through old road test articles. Rootes was well known for supplying road test drivers for magazines with well equipped cars. Many of these magazines featured interior shots that show radio consoles fitted, therefore making it some what easy to verify which series Alpine had which console. Continue reading “Factory Alpine Radio Consoles”

Wheels & Tyres

Wheels & Tyres
By alpineian
Published: October 24, 2007

Wheels & Tyres

Steel wheels

The standard configuration for an Alpine is the 13″ steel wheel with chrome trim ring and hub cap (Nave Plate). Every Alpine up to B94102172 came equipped with 5 wheels and 5 trim rings, but only 4 hub caps. Each Steel wheel is date stamped and should match the year your car was built. Beginning with the ’59 Sereis I, all steel wheels were color matched to the car’s body. This continued on until shortly before B9107291 during the Series II production run. It was at this time that the holes changed in the steel wheel from 12 smaller oval shaped holes to 8 larger more oblong shaped holes. During this short period, Series II’s came equipped with the early wheels, painted white Continue reading “Wheels & Tyres”

Tool Kit

ByIan Spencer
Published: October 24, 2007

The Complete Alpine Tool Kit

For some time now, I have been reading and contributing to discussions about the evasive Sunbeam Alpine tool kit. These little rascals must have been the first thing to have been lost from most Alpines and are today, quite a rare find. Sort of the “Holy Grail” of all Alpine parts. I have tried to make some logical sense out of this by documenting actual kits the way they came from honest Continue reading “Tool Kit”

The Smiths Electric Clock

By alpineian
Published: October 24, 2007

Electric Clock – Smiths

There may be up to six different models of Smiths electric clocks manufactured for the Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger. Normally, I don’t mention the Tiger when talking about Alpine stuff on this site, but in this case I feel it’s important because so many clocks have been removed from parts cars and installed other cars different than the one it originally came out of. This way, we can tell once and for all exactly what clock your car should have. Continue reading “The Smiths Electric Clock”

The Series VI Prototype

By Ian Spencer
Published: April 1, 2001

The Series VI Prototype

It has been rumored that Rootes was fighting to keep the Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger alive during the final days after the Chrysler take over. We all know the Tiger suffered it’s fate due to the use of a Ford power plant in a now Chrysler owned product. The Alpine, however, suffered a different fate. During the later part of the Series V run, Rootes began experimenting with it’s new ideas for the Alpine. In order to stay with the market and keep the Alpine competitive, Rootes decided to once again step up the Alpines performance. Continue reading “The Series VI Prototype”

The Alpine Shooting Brake Estate Wagon

By Ian Spencer

My quest to acquire…
The 1960 Sunbeam Alpine Shooting Brake Estate Wagon

Soon after the successful introduction of the Sunbeam Alpine, Rootes designers were faced with the task of creating a closed top version of their increasingly popular convertible. In an effort to shed the Alpine of its growing image as a ladies car, Rootes officials decided to target a different market by offering a Shooting Brake, or Estate Wagon version to the most proper of English gentlemen. Continue reading “The Alpine Shooting Brake Estate Wagon”