Is this an Alpine ?

[sownman]

I still pretty new to the Rootes cars. I found this car for sale and was not aware that there was ever a new body Alpine done after the demise of the Tiger. Is this car identified correctly as an 1969 Alpine fastback ?

[Lori and Dave Noyes]

I don’t know all the models yet either, but I found this website helpful: http://www.sunbeam.org.au/models/fastback.htm

[sownman]

Thanks for that great link. My knowledge of the marque is going to increase. Looks like the car really is a 1969 Alpine. I also had no idea there was a Sunbeam Lotus. Now, being a Lotus and a Tiger fan that car would be a hoot to own. I’ve found something new to watch for.

Steve

[Bob and Jean Webb]

there were two versions of the 69’s . the alpine and the alpine GT. this appears to be the alpine version with the 1725 with the cast iron head and single sidedraft carb. the GT had the 1725 with an aluminum head and dual sidedraft carbs .the GT also had full instuments which included the tach,oil ,amp,fuel and temp guages . they also had a few other changes to separate them from the standard alpine . the GT was called a rapier in the U.K.

[Eric and Bonnie and Bonnie Gibeaut]

Sownman-I am not sure where you live but if you can make it to the Sunbeam Invasion or the TE/AE United there should be a really nice ’69 Alpine there-if 65beam gets his finished in time! He knows lots about them too. I would like to have the rarest one-a Holbay H120! I got a ride in a Sunbeam Lotus while in England a few years ago and it was unreal how fast that car is. It would scare a few Tigers out there. To the best of my knowledge, none have made it to the USA and that is a real shame. Eric

[sownman]

quote 65sunbeam:

Sownman-I am not sure where you live but if you can make it to the Sunbeam Invasion or the TE/AE United there should be a really nice ’69 Alpine there-if 65beam gets his finished in time! He knows lots about them too. I would like to have the rarest one-a Holbay H120! I got a ride in a Sunbeam Lotus while in England a few years ago and it was unreal how fast that car is. It would scare a few Tigers out there. To the best of my knowledge, none have made it to the USA and that is a real shame. Eric

I’m an LA guy so not much east coast stuff for me. I just attended my first Tigers United at Big Bear. Had a great time. I am Tiger shopping
and rather than do my usual daily Tiger search I did a Sunbeam search and got the hit on the 69 Alpine. I am a former Lotus Cortina owner and would love to find a Sunbeam Lotus. I visited the UK based SL owners website. Seems you are probably right about none in the US and only about 400 total.

If any of you east coasters knows of a good all stock driver (not show quality but rust free) Tiger in the Cal/Nev/Ariz area please let me know
Tiger shopping is very frustrating. Between the unaffordable rotiserrie restores, the rust buckets, and the fakes, the personalizations it’s not easy. All I want is a Tiger equipped as it came from the factory without the 40 years of rust

Steve

[wayne-reichel]

Steve:
Neat fastback! Looks like…mine! All the info posted is correct: two versions were available from ’69-’71 thru Chrysler, the Alpine Coupe (cast iron head, single carb, reduced instrumentation) and the GT Coupe (alloy head, dual Strombergs, all the gauges). So, is this one a runner? Correct motor (VIN # and engine # should match)? Best wishes finding that 40-year old Tiger with minimal rust issues!
Cheers!
Wayne

[sownman]

quote Wayne Reichel:

So, is this one a runner? Correct motor (VIN # and engine # should match)? Best wishes finding that 40-year old Tiger with minimal rust issues!
Cheers!
Wayne

They say it runs. I asked if it ran well enough to get across Ariz to LA without a trailer. Owner said the engine will ut brakes and clutch won’t

Steve

[wayne-reichel]

Brakes…clutch…details, details…bleed the hydraulics and it MAY be sound, but I’ve been down this road before.

What are your plans with it, if you did buy it?

[sownman]

I have no plans for it. I blundered into it while Tiger shopping. At this point I still want a Tiger. I can’t bring two vintage cars home at the same time. If you’re interested it can be found via Craigslist in Tucson area. He says no rust, which in Arizona is possible. There were 4 pictures in his ad. I think he was asking $1200.

Steve

[gtsmrt]

Hi Steve,

Those cars were also known as the Rapier fastback in the UK and in Australia. In the US they kept the Alpine name. It shared the Hunter chassis as well I believe. We have one of these in my family, but will be going soon. They are also quite popular in New Zealand.

Regards, Robin.

[Bob and Jean Webb]

eric,
we took the weekend off to go to pittsburgh for british car day on saturday . we only need to put oil in the motor and trans and fuel in the tank and she is ready to start.we still have a couple weeks before the upholstery shop wants it back to do the carpet .then , IT"S DONE!!!!the combination of vinyl and cloth on the seats and panels came out great. i know a 25 year old that is anxious to drive it. unless the motor blows it will be at dayton.

[Author]

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