1961 Sunbeam Alpine Series 2

The first ever Bond car! With the new film released just this week, is there a better time to join in the classic bond nostalgia, or a better car to do it with (short of spending house money on a DB of course)? We don’t thin so either. Elegant, graceful and about as aesthetically pleasing as any 60’s car gets. The American inspired fins and high headlamps just ooze style and with a fully rebuilt car underneath it all, it drives just as well as it looks.

 

Under the bonnet we have the replaced and rebuilt engine from a series one car, slightly lower displacement at 1,494cc, but offering a slightly higher output than the series 2 engine (4 bhp), so a worthy backdate, which looks exactly the same under the bonnet. It pulls well in all gears and the gearbox is as smooth as butter.

 

During our road test it is clear that the car has been well built, everything works just as you’d like it to, including the overdrive switch on 3rd and top. The suspension handles even the roughest of roads with alacrity and doesn’t jump over potholes in the way a lot 60’s British sports cars would. Steering is direct and the engine and box both work beautifully together with plenty of grunt to pull along its relatively low weight of only 900kg. The exhaust pops and burbles on the overrun just as you’d like a little sports car to. With the top off on a sunny day, it’s a very hard prospect to beat and an awful lot of car for the money!

This particular car comes with very little history, as unfortunately the box file accompanying the car & its restoration were lost whilst in storage. Only 5/6 years ago the car was treated to a full body restoration by Crown Classics, with the body colour changed from Green to Old English white. The engine and mechanicals were also fully rebuilt; hence the car drives so well now.

 

The seats have been upgraded to include headrests and are standard fare from an MG TF. The fit the build well and are also supremely comfortable. The rest of the interior was also restored during this period, so you have new carpets, the steel dash was painted body colour and even the original work of art cigarette lighter is still in situ.

 

No expense was spared during the build and a cost of £26,000.00 was invested at the time with a view to the owner keeping this car long term. Unfortunately work got in the way and it has mostly been tucked away safely in paid storage for the last 5 years being run and moved monthly to keep it in fine fettle.

 

We have also done an oil and filter change a carb rebuild and a rolling road set-up as the gaskets were tired where it hadn’t been used enough, so this car is on the button and ready to be enjoyed.

 

The car comes with the factory hardtop (a real rarity), a hood (stowed behind the seats) and an indoor car cover to protect it whilst not in use.  

 

If you’re able to look past the lack of history, you’ll be driving away in one of the best Alpines out there, it is by far and away the best 60’s sports car we’ve had the pleasure of driving & that’s really saying something. It is so smooth! Be brave and come and take her for a test drive on our gorgeous local roads and you may be the person to reap the rewards of someone else’s hefty outlay.

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF PREVIOUS OWNERS: 4

TRANSMISSION: 4 speed manual

ENGINE CAPACITY: 1494 cc

ENGINE SPECIFICATION:

Maximum speed 97 mph

Power  84hp @ 5,300 rpm.

Torque  90 lb.-ft. @ 3,800 rpm.

0 – 60 in 14 seconds

PRICE: £17,995.00 - OVNO

 

 

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