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 low mileage cars and cross referencing with the Rootes parts manuals. I believe this to be a very accurate representation of the way an Alpine should have been equipped. However, there may be discrepancies. After all, we are dealing with manufacturing and production assembly that took place over 30 years ago. With that in mind, not all kits may have been created equal. Still, this should provide a very good and closely accurate guide for those of you that are piecing your tool kits together.

Valve & spark plug gauge – P.56922 ( 2 1/4″)
Tyre valve key – P.56922 ( 2″)
Distributor key – P.41129 ( 2 1/8″)

Now these little guys were definitely the first to get lost. The tyre valve key was offered in brass for SI & SII kits. S3 and beyond had the yellow plastic one. The distributor key has a small screwdriver on the end and a feeler gauge for setting the points. The valve and spark plug gauge is a very uncommon find. One blade is stamped PLUGS. Low grade plating.

Spanners (Superslim)
These wrenches read: 13/16″ x 11/16″, 3/4″ x 5/8″, 11/16″ x 19/32″, 9/16″ x 1/2″, 1/2″ x 7/16″

That’s slightly different from what the parts book reads. This set came in a complete tool kit out of a very low mileage one owner Series II. Notice that there are 5 wrenches instead of 4 like the parts book indicates. From this evidence, I must assume that some kits had 5, while others only had 4. Black oxide

Pliers – P.79756
The detail reads TW made in England. Black oxide

Spanner (adjustable) – P.41399
This is the famous King Dick Adjustable Spanner. Detail reads KING DICK on the sliding portion. Black oxide

Nave plate extractor – P.102286
This tool has no markings. Early cars had a thin one (7/16″) while the late cars had a thicker one ( 3/4″). It’s for removing the hub caps.? 5″ Black oxide

Oil sump wrench– 9221200
Your basic 1/2″allen key. No markings. Only came with cars that were fitted with the recessed oil sump plug. 6 3/8″ Black oxide

Box spanner – 9221514
& Tommy bar – P.53782
I wouldn’t want to change my plugs with this set up, but that’s what it’s for. Black oxide w/ no markings.

Grease gun – P.45610
Series I & II up to B9101330 Reads: TECALEMIT – ENGLAND Cast aluminum finish

Hammer (Alloy)– 1206425
All the suppressions point to this guy. I suspect sometime during? Series II production since this was original equipment in a late Harrington Le Mans. Thor

Tool roll – 1219610 (Plastic) S3, IV,V.
Black plastic with cloth tie straps. 5 pockets.

Tool roll – P.100976 (Canvas) SI & SII
Canvas with a black textured backing.
5 pockets and cloth tie straps.

Starting Handle – 1201332
24.5″ in length. Black paint with rotating handle. No markings.

Starting Handle – 1224441
Not yet identified as to what the difference may be. Any ideas?

Lifting jack – 12011342 (black paint)
For all Alpines up to B395000595.? 20″ Shelley – Made in England

Lifting jack– 5220473 (grey paint)
For SV’s B395000596 and after. 19″ Shelley – Made in England

Lifting jack decal. Shelley – Made in England
Located 12″ from top on center, extension side.

Knock off spanner – 1206003
For removing the octagonal hub nuts on Alpines with wire wheels. Only supplied in cars equipped with the octagonal knock offs. Black oxide.

Wheel brace – P.113516
This tool has two uses. To remove the lug nuts and a cranking handle for lifting the jack.? I think this tools diameter was increased sometime during later Alpine production, probably to increase it’s strength. Reads 3/4″ A/F 199 Black paint.