1954 Sunbeam Alpine

The Sunbeam Alpine is a two-seater convertible produced from 1953 to 1955.

The Alpine was originally developed by the Bournemouth Rootes dealer George Hartwell as a one-off two-seater based on the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk. II. As compared with the saloon, the drum brakes and live rear axle was retained but the Alpine had stiffer independent front coil springs, a close-ratio gearbox, improved shock absorbers, a higher steering ratio, the cruciform-based chassis was reinforced with a transverse steel member and the 2.3-litre S4 OHV engine gained a new cylinder head that raised the power output to 77bhp.

Hartwell’s original idea was to make a small number of ‘Hartwell Coupes’ and he took the idea to Lord Rootes. The result was that Raymond Lowey Associates was commissioned to create a production version, to be badged as the ‘Alpine’ in honour of the 90’s rally achievements. Official Rootes production of the Sunbeam Alpine (unlike the 90 saloon, its badging never carried a Talbot suffix) commenced at the Thrupp and Maberly coachbuilders in 1953; each car was hand built.

The first Sunbeam Alpines were initially for export only – US models cost $2,899 - and UK market cars were available from the autumn of 1953 onwards. The top speed was 90 mph with 0-60 taking 18 seconds. The Alpine also had no exterior door locks and side-screens in place of winding windows, although the 90 saloon’s steering column gear change was retained; several cars were covered to a floor lever. The price was £1,210 7s 6d and optional extras included overdrive, a heater, a cigarette lighter, windscreen washers and a ‘racing windshield’.

Alpine enthusiasts were offered the factory tuned ‘Special’, with an uprated induction manifold, a compression ratio that was raised to 8.0:1 and a twin choke Solex 40 P.I.I carburettor. Their appearance was identical to the standard Alpine and the chassis bore an ‘S’ suffix.

The original Alpine was replaced by the Mk. III (there was never a Mk. II) in 1954 with an improved engine that raised the power output to 80bhp, flashing indicators in place of trafficators, plus a rev counter and overdrive as standard.

Alpine production ceased in 1955 after just 1,582 examples.

Rootes gained much publicity from Sheila van Damm and Stirling Moss driving specially prepared Alpines at 120mph along the Jabbeke highway in 1953, and in that year’s Alpine Rally four factory team cars gained the Coupe des Alpes. In the 1954 Alpine Rally, Moss won his third Coupe des Alpes and the Coup d’Or. The Sunbeam also starred opposite Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in ‘To Catch a Thief’ as well as appearing in the cult British horror film ‘Night of the Demon’.

The Sunbeam Alpine was powered by a 2,267cc S4 OHV unit with a four-speed gear change; the top three ratios being equipped with synchromesh. The overdrive unit is from Laycock-de-Normanville.

One of the most elegant cars in the history of the British motor industry with a redoubtable engine – the Sunbeam Alpine is a prime example of Rootes carefully developing its line-up. Many press-on drivers do prefer the floor change conversion.

Inspect the A and B pillars, rear spring hangers and rear wheel arches thoroughly for corrosion before any purchase is completed. The hood’s frame should also be checked for wear and Alpine transmission can be vulnerable.

British-based survivors are rare – the bulk of Alpines were exported – and the Sunbeam was really too heavy to successfully compete against its Triumph and BMC rivals. But as a tourer par excellence, it has an appeal that is entirely its own.

The Sunbeam Alpine competed against the Austin-Healey 100, the MG TF and the Triumph TR2 in period, and continues to do so today as well.