First car was made in 1899. From 1911 to 1925, it was Britain’s main and only entrant in Grand Prix racing. Between 1937 and 1953 no Sunbeams were made. Sunbeams disappeared in 1974.
Alpine 1953-55, prod: 3000 2 seat body on reinforced chassis from Sunbeam Talbot . 90MkII saloon, coil spring ifs, hypoid rear axle, and high compression 80hp version of 2.3 L 4 that was first seen in the Humber Hawk.
Alpine
I,II,III 1959-60, 1960-1963, 1963 prod:
11,904, 19,956, 5,863 under feminine skin is floorplan of a hillman husky.MkI:
105 L engine and front disk brakes, good for 100 mph. MkII: 106 L unit
and better trim and ride. MkIII:Stiffer front end, telescopic rear dampers
and servo brakes, GT hardtop was available.
Alpine
IV and V 1964-65, 1965-68 prod: 12,406, 19,122 MkIV: restyled with
smaller tail fins and with a synchromesh on bottom gear, it was still
gutless and effete. MkV: has 92bhp 1725 cc engine but was not enough to
change pristine immage. Rust was a particular problem.
Tiger
I/II 1964-66/1967
prod:6495/571 Carroll Shelby, the creator of the Cobra, fit Ford 4260cc
V8 to the Alpine IV. The result was rack and pinion steering, limited
slip differential, and nearly double Alpine’s power. Top speed was 120
mph, and it reached 0-60 in 9 seconds. Tiger I was available in Britain
in 1945, but Tiger II was available only in US. The Tiger was an underrated
car, and it was no surprise it was shortlived with Crysler taking over
just as the Ford engined car was released.
