Sunbeam

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.


Sunbeam Alpine Series I, II, IIISunbeam Alpine Series I, II, IIIAlpine 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.

 


Sunbeam Alpine Series IVSunbeam Alpine Series VAlpine 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.

 


Sunbeam TigerTiger 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.


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