Sunbeam Alpine Series V 1725

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Sunbeam, now part of the Rootes organisation, first announced its Alpine sports model in 1959. The new car was a change of direction for Sunbeam and was aimed squarely at the younger MG/Triumph TR market – previous models being larger touring cars.

It was largely styled by the great industrial designer, Ken Howes, and was heavily influenced by the Ford Thunderbird which lent it oodles of Trans-Atlantic glamour. At first the car was powered by a 78bhp 1,494cc four-cylinder engine but in the MkII of 1960 this was replaced by an 80bhp 1,592cc unit.

In 1963 the MkIII arrived with larger front brake discs, a bigger boot and a revised interior. Power went up by another 2bhp the following year with the Series IV, easily recognised by its much smaller tail fins. The final model was the Series V which ran from 1965 to 1968 and had a 92bhp twin carb 1,725cc Holbay engine, enough to power the Alpine to an easy 100mph.

All were fine cars, being perhaps the most habitable, practical and everyday usable sportscars of their era. The driving position is excellent, the door apertures are wide allowing easy entrance and exit, the boot space is generous and the handling is exemplary thanks to a notably rigid structure. Great for shopping but also a real hoot on twisty B-roads, the Alpine is perhaps the ideal classic sportscar.

This attractive 1967 late model Series V has been in the current ownership for 25 years, the vendor owning a transport company whose full-time mechanics have kept the car running and ready to go, although the reality is that he hasn’t had the time to use it anywhere near as much as he had hoped, hence the reason for sale. Equipped with the desirable overdrive gearbox, it has also been fitted with bolt-on wire wheels for a more sporting look while its neat stowaway hood packs away under a fitted hood cover.

With an MOT until April 2017 and still retaining its original handbook, this interesting MGB alternative is described by its owner as in solid and presentable condition and is an ideal car to use and improve as funds allow. On the market for the first time in 25 years, it now needs an enthusiastic new owner who can give it the more regular exercise that it deserves.