Beschreibung
Sunbeam Alpine Series III GT 1963
The Series III Alpine is widely regarded as the most desirable (and rarest) of the “Series” Alpines. It retained the stylish rear fins and general body shape of the previous models but with a larger 1592cc engine, a redesigned steel hardtop (GT Version), twin fuel tanks in the rear wings and quarter lights. The interior was also upgraded with new seats and dashboard. Only 5, 863 Series III’s were produced between 1963 and 1964 when it was replaced by the Series IV.
This lovely Series III was first registered in August 1963. I have owned this car for 12 years and over that period it has undergone an extensive restoration at significant cost and to a high standard. In 2017 the bodywork was totally refurbished by a classic car specialist. It was taken back to bare metal and new panels, including sills and wheel arches were fitted as required. The hardtop was repaired in the usual places and the car was then repainted in its original gleaming Quartz Blue, including under bonnet, engine bay and underside of boot lid. The bodywork is therefore immaculate with all the correct badges in place. It is complemented by a nice set of repainted silver wire wheels.
Wherever possible the originality of the car has been retained. Most of the brightwork has been professionally re-chromed including bumpers, overriders and front grille. The door handles and boot hinges are new items. The interior is finished in its original pale blue/ grey vinyl with dark blue piping, along with re-veneered dashboard and original wooden steering wheel. New carpets in Midnight Blue have been fitted and a tonneau cover is also included in the sale.
Other work undertaken over the years includes the following new items:
• Brake discs, pads, handbrake cable, full set of brake pipes, refurbed master cylinder and servo
• Thermostat, housing, water pump
• Kingpins
• Body seals and rubbers
• Rear lights
• Hard toptop headlining, perspex rear window and quarter lights
• Tyres and battery
• Badges renewed
• Door cards
• Coil, HT leads and distributor cap
The car drives extremely well with a smooth gearchange and fully operative overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears. The odometer shows a mileage of 50, 319 although this cannot be warranted because there is very little history with the car prior to my ownership. However I do have an old MoT certificate from 1982 stating the mileage to be 47, 166.
This is not a concours Alpine but it is a very good and usable example of this sought-after, stylish English sports car. Because it is over 40 years old, the car is now tax and MoT exempt. It was last Mot’d in 2015 and since then has travelled just 28 miles! During my ownership it has always been kept garaged with oil levels, tyres etc checked on a regular basis
