1. Sunbeam Alpine 686 XFM
Several different Sunbeam Alpines are now featured on this page. First up, a black and white photograph. Parked next to a wall is an early 1960s Sunbeam Alpine sportscar, fitted with a hardtop. The early Alpines (Series 1 - 3) had the larger tailfins, as can be seen on this car, and I'm told that the curvy hardtop was fitted to the Series 1s and 2s, so that narrows this car down to a 1 or a 2. Perhaps a Sunbeam expert could help me out with the exact model shown??
The Series 1 was launched in 1959, with the Series 2 following in 1960 and having the enlarged 1592cc unit. The Series 3 came along in 1963. The GT version of the S3 came with a hardtop as standard, but with no folding soft-top roof. This gave a more roomy and refined driving experience (especially as the engine tune was softened a little) but at the expense of wind-in-the-hair fun. A Sports version of the Series 3 was also available, this came with a soft-top with the extra-cost option of a hardtop, handy if you planned to drive your Alpine all year round. Next along would be the Series IV and V, by which time the rear fins had been reduced in size, in line with current styling trends, and the move away from big fins.
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The Alpine shown below is fitted with a smart set of wire wheels, and an extra spotlamp bolted to the bumper. In the background is parked an MG 1100 or 1300, 4 door saloon.
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2. Series 2 Sunbeam Alpine.
Peter sent over the following photographs, featuring two different Alpines, both seen in the early 1970s. Firstly, several photos of a Series 2 Alpine that belonged to his cousin Ken (reg. 3577 SF). Also in view, a Hillman Avenger estate car, a Mk1 Escort van, and behind, another Ford favourite, a Mk1 Transit van. These photos were taken in 1975.
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3. Peter's Series 4 Alpine.
Prior to his cousin buying the Series II, Peter owned the Series IV shown below. It was bought requiring some tidying up, seen here before and after work, in 1972.
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Peter has maintained a healthy interest in proper old cars ever since, and now runs a lovely 2.5 SS Jaguar from 1939 - the story about which can be read here.
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4. A 1965 Alpine.
Thanks to a different Peter now (Baxter) for the following snap, of his father with a C-registration example, dating it to 1965. Is this a Series IV or Series V? It has the truncated rear wings of the later Alpines. The IV was built between 1964 and 1965, the V - which came equipped with a 1725cc engine as standard - being built between 1965 and 1968. His father clearly liked sporting machines, a photo of him with his pre-war MG J2 already features here on OCC. Note the racey wire wheels, slim whitewall tyres, and the streamlined "bullet" wing mirrors.
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Return to Old Photographs of Cars - Page 4.
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