The name's Bond, James Bond. Just like the Sunbeam Alpine used in Dr No, you too could be taking to the roads in one of the more sought after series two Sunbeam Alpine. This lovely example comes complete with the rare aluminium hard top, which is in excellent condition and still has the brightwork which is often missing.
The car was restored before the seller owned it and repainted in its original colour. It also has a 1725cc engine fitted with the later gearbox benefitting from full synchromesh. This also makes the car easily capable of keeping up with modern day traffic.
The seller purchased this car approximately two years ago to add to his ever-changing collection of classic cars. He usually buys a car and enjoys a bit of spannering on them, giving them a tune up before using them for the summer or even the winter and then simply moves them on when something else catches his eye.
The Alpine comes with a small history file showing some previous invoices and old MOT certificates for work carried out.
Inside the Alpine, the seats are believed to be the originals. These are in good condition with just a small amount of cracking to the red piping, and the main sections of the seats are in good order with no damage noted. The door cards are also thought to be the originals, and again, they are both in good order.
The dashboard is in good condition with no damage. Sitting behind the wheel, the instruments are in good condition and reported to be working as they should, along with the other switchgear. The odometer shows a reading of 62,898 miles, and looking back through the MOT history, this tallies up with the current mileage. The needle does have a tendency to stick but drops down after a few minutes.
The carpets are the only part of the interior which have been replaced, and so these are in good condition with no issues to point out. Inside, the boot is also clean and tidy, with the spare wheel, jack and wheel brace present.
The beautiful shape of the series 2 Alpine is something else, with its high fins, and the rare swept rear window of the removable hard top makes it something quite special and usable in all weathers should you wish. As mentioned, the car was restored by a previous keeper and repainted in the original colour of Carnival Red. However, there are some blemishes to point out, mainly on the driver’s side wing. There looks to be something under the paint, but it hasn't broken through the surface and feeling the underside of the wing is clean. There is also a small amount of micro blistering on top of the driver side rear quarter.
Starting at the front, there are minimal stone chips to mention; the grille and lights are in good order with no damage to point out. The brightwork is in good condition with just some light tarnishing to the front bumper, but the overriders have been replaced. The bonnet aligns well and opens and closes with ease.
Around to the sides is where you notice the high fins creating the standout shape of the Alpine. The doors align well, although the seller does admit the passenger door is probably a tad too high, but the doors are quite heavy for him to adjust. New door handles have been fitted and so are in good order. There is some slight age related tarnishing to the chrome window surround and door mirrors.
To the rear the boot lid aligns well, and the Sunbeam badges have been replaced. The light lenses have no splits or cracks to point out. The rear bumper has a bright, clean finish having been replaced, complete with the overriders. The seller has refurbished the wheels and fitted them with new hubcaps, and the tyres are matching and have plenty of miles left on them.
The roof, as mentioned, is a rare swept window hard top which is in good order and complete with all the brightwork. The vinyl soft top has been replaced and is in good order with no damage, but it has shrunk a little on the corners on either side of the window.
Fitted with the 1725cc engine just a few thousand miles ago. The Alpine has been given a service and tune up by the seller, who is a dab hand at tuning and setting up engines of this age, which is now a dying art. The result is reportedly 100 miles on three gallons of fuel and a car capable of keeping up with modern day traffic.
The car starts up as it should thanks to the new starter motor and sounds great with the stainless steel exhaust. There is a slight noise believed to be coming from the layshaft bearing in the gearbox, but it has been like this since the seller has owned it; he says it has not got any louder.
The gear change is precise as the car pulls through the 4-speed gearbox. The brakes have been given the once over and reported to be working as they should. A new master cylinder has also been fitted to ensure a firm pedal with adequate stopping power. On the suspension side of things, there have been new rear springs fitted, giving a firm but smooth ride.
A ready to go, sought after series 2 Sunbeam Alpine with the all important swept rear window hardtop. The car is an excellent vehicle to drive, thanks to the 1725cc engine.
Certainly, a serious contender if you are looking to step into the world of a Sunbeam Alpine, and best of all, being in regular use by the seller means it can be enjoyed straight away.
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