1963 Sunbeam Alpine

Removable Hardtop Convertible

1592Lcc

Manual

B9200508GTLRX

Clear

Gasoline

For Sale Our 1963 Sunbeam Alpine Series 3 GT is for sale. Ownership History: 1963-present. This car was purchased brand new in 1963 by an International Airline Pilot. His flights frequently took him to England whereupon in 1963 he saw this car, new, sitting for export inside the ROOTES Dealership Showroom located in Devonshire House, London England. He purchased the car and after having an English registration assigned to the car he had it shipped to his home state of Connecticut, USA. The owner became ill around 1968 and didn’t drive the car any longer after logging only 43,000 miles on it. Sadly in 1971 the original owner passed away. The owner’s son had taken responsibility to have the car moved during settlement of his father’s estate wherein the car was delivered to North Carolina to the sons residence, not driven and left mostly outdoors until 2016. The son had made a few attempts to become interested in the car; some quick body repairs from rust out were completed as amateur body work, but he was not a car enthusiast and other than a sentimental attachment to the car he wasn’t interested in spending time or money to keep the car drivable, so unfortunately the car mostly sat unused. The owner’s son has been following Sunbeam Auto Restorations for many years; after all he had in his possession a Sunbeam Alpine. In 2016 he contacted us to drive to North Carolina and take a look at the car; to perhaps save it from sure destruction. We did just that. We struck a deal and loaded the car and delivered to our shop located in Vinton, VA. After a good overall inspection we determined that indeed this car was a great candidate for restoration or saving as is. It was all original and virtually untouched since 1971 when it was parked. The patina from sunburned and blistered paint to acid rain and dry rotted tires made it all the more interesting to us. When we were told the story and handed over the paper work reinforcing the purchase history we had to have this car. Sunbeam Alpine History: Sunbeam Alpine ‘Series’ Production Note Chassis Numbers Dates Total Built Series I- B9000001 to B9011904 Oct.59-Oct.60 11,904 Series II- B9100001 to B9119956 Oct.60-Feb.63 19,956 Series 3- B9200001 to B9205863 Mar.63-Jan.64 5,863 Series IV-B9400001 to B9407936 Jan.64-Sep.65 7,936 (‘A’ standard manual or auto trans.) B94100001 to B94104470 . 4,470 (‘B’ full synchro manual trans. introduced) Series V- B395000001 to B395019122 Sep.65-Jan.68 19,122 Total production for the combined Series 3 in ST (Sports Tourer soft top) and GT (GranTurismo removable hardtop) was only 5,863 units. This was the last of the ‘Big Finned’ Alpines and offered a newer interior; trunk layout; fuel cell and hardtop that the later Series IV-V and Tiger would use. The looks of the earlier Alpine and improved features of the newer Alpines distinguish this car from all the other Alpine Series cars. A true crossover; the GT version was offered for the first time this Series; the GT being a GranTurismo style car with deluxe appointed interior such as full carpeting; wooden walnut fascia dash panel and steering wheel; Microcell seats; sun visors; interior lighting and removable hard top offering a true Roadster appeal. This Series 3 GT has all these features. These appointments are generally found on high end sports cars in this Era. This Car: #B9200508GTLRX This one is an early edition Series 3. Of 5,863 units offered this is B9200508GTLRX or the 508th Sunbeam Alpine Series 3 built. The number of ST and GT cars were not separately recorded thus 5,863 is a combined figure. The ST model had the ability to wear an optional hardtop (Black color) but wasn’t as well appointed as the GT. The GT did not have a soft top option and the hard top was standard equipment; all painted body color to match the car color it was attached to. A full cockpit Tonnue Cover was available for both the ST and GT models offering protection to the interior if either top were removed. This car has dual Zenith/Solex downdraft carburetors similar to the ones found on earlier Alpines (within a few months of the production start, the GT Alpine carburetors were changed to a single downdraft Zenith/Solex in an effort to achieve a quieted engine compartment). A new dual exhaust with ANSA tips has been installed as well as new brakes front and rear with rebuilt calipers and new wheel cylinders, pads, brake shoes and machining of discs and drums. The brake master cylinder has also been rebuilt; also included is a new brake lIne set. The transmission works well and the clutch and pressure plate perform as they should; the clutch master cylinder has been rebuilt. Solar radial tires (5) are also installed. The Alternator and Starter were refurbished as well as a new Voltage Regulator installed. The twin fuel cells; located inside the rear wings, have been cleaned and restored as well as the fuel cell balance pipe crossover and vent system. All fluids have been changed and a spin on oil filter block and filter have been installed; oil pressure cold 80psi settling to 45psi when hot. Water temperature is within normal range. The manual Fuel Pump was rebuilt and works well and a new fuel line has been installed from the twin fuel cells to the fuel pump. All electrical equipment; wipers; heater/demister fan; headlights/parking lights/interior lighting/ brake lighting/ turn signaling lighting and tag mount lighting and horn work well. The hard top removes easily with aid of another person; it is an all steel top (which also fits all later Series Alpines and Tiger); the hardtop hardware fasteners are in good working order and complete including the side window vent catches; windscreen to hardtop catches; top to body post catches; rear top cowl to boot hinge catches. The headliner bows are present; the glass is fogged; the rear pillar braces have some rust and can be restored. The roll up side door glass works well and the glass is clear. The front vent windows are fixed and clear. The windscreen is in good condition and clear. The interior panels are all present; the door panels are in badly worn condition. Microcell seats both work to tilt forward and rise from floor as well as seat glides for forward or rear adjusting work well. The underside of the car is in restorable condition. Some rot away of cruciform cross bracing is expected and can be repaired. The rear spring mounts are good and could use strengthening. The front suspension is good and the overall ride is good. Steering is good and tight; the adjustable steering column works as it should. The body of this Alpine is in good restorable condition; the front and rear lower valance are all damage free. Some factory skim coat body filler is deteriorated from the front wings with solid metal beneath offering a solid restoration of this area. Bonnet is good as is both doors and the boot lid. Some rust is present around the spare wheel well; rear quarter doglegs as can be expected. Front floor panels are in need of restoration. The engine runs strong and has a smooth idle and throttle take up in all forward gears is good and revels no issues; reverse gear is quiet. https://www.facebook.com/billtyreesSunbeamAutoRestorations/videos/10158896364715543/ https://www.facebook.com/billtyreesSunbeamAutoRestorations/videos/10159363789890543/ This car offers a real value to anyone interested in Sunbeam Alpine or other British vintage cars and especially to the individual that would like to get into the hobby of restoring a rare vehicle. These cars handle exceptionally well and are a joy to drive on that twisting country road that is waiting on your adventure. Good racing history can also be accredited to these vehicles with many wins and achievements overall earned. We will gladly offer any assistance to the buyer. Many parts are also available to the interested party. The car has a clean and clear Virginia Title and is currently registered for Virginia highways as an antique vehicle. It is insured by JC Taylor Antique Auto Insurance. On Jul-18-18 at 19:10:21 PDT, seller added the following information: On Jul-18-18 at 19:12:43 PDT, seller added the following information: On Jul-18-18 at 19:31:26 PDT, seller added the following information: On Jul-18-18 at 19:34:47 PDT, seller added the following information: On Jul-18-18 at 19:36:02 PDT, seller added the following information: