 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
The new Alpine fastback, a closed sport tourer, will appear in the Ú.S. for 1969. Chrysler and Rootes have made a concerted product shift by creating two fastback models, unique for the Ú.S. and Canadian market.
The Alpine GT, a 94 horsepower twin-carburetor version wîth burled walnut interior, is aimed at the modest-luxury market. It is a stylish vehicle wîth good performance and fuel economy, and still offers all the creature comforts sought after by buyers of all ages.
The Alpine Coupe shares every essential features of the GT without visual censure but will be more modestly priced. Its power plant is derived from the 73 horsepower Arrow sedan. (concept carz) Its interior, too, is done in walnut, vinyl and carpeting.
Styling
The fastback body is highlighted by a V-shaped grille and dual headlights. A shadow-capturing break line extends from fender tip to taillight. The long hood slopes gently to a vee and the taut roof arcs smoothly to the tip of the deck. Rear and side glass combine to provide an airy 'bridge' structure. The 'C' post is vinyl covered and carries the emblem 'GT' in its center. 'Alpine' is spelled in block letters at its base.
The rear is crisply chamfered in a stub-deck effect to help accent the hood's length. The curved side glass and quarter window protect from and rear fenders. A die-cast and chromed filler cap nestles high on the left rear fender.
GT Features
A full-width sill molding, in brushed aluminum, covers the entire rocker panel. Full wheel covers, rubber bumper guards and window moldings highlight the car. Three stainless bars interspersed wîth black are on the trunk lid's rear face.
The engine is a smooth four-cylinder twin-carburetor 1725cc power plant, fitted wîth a new hydraulic vibration damper. The transmission is a four-speed manual wîth automatic as optional.
The interior is in burled walnut replete wîth instruments, gadgets and assists including tachometer, lighter, vanity mirror and clock. Headrest-high front seats in breathable Ambla vinyl coordinate wîth the molded carpet floor covering. A deep-dish §teering wheel wîth soft center-hub is used.
Coupe Features
Only subtle exterior differences distinguish the Coupe from the GT. A thin sill cap molding replaces the wide GT style and the window reveal moldings are slightly narrowed. Trunk moldings are simpler. Full but simple wheel covers are used. The 'C' post is body-color wîth the Rootes lion in its center.
The interior features a straight-grain walnut instrument panel wîth round speedometer and instrument cluster. The center console is a molded polymer wîth two ashtrays. Embossed Ambla vinyl and molded carpeting are used. The headrest-high front seats are of the same configuration as the GT.
Welcomed Features
Flow-through ventilation -- wîth a fan-driven fresh air system and swiveling spot coolers - effectively deals wîth winter stuffiness or summer simmering.
The large-size trunk is due in part to the spare tire storage beneath the rear body in a theft-proof steel sling.
Roadability
Roadability of both models is due to its modern strut suspension, front disc brakes and wide-spaced leaf-spring rear suspension. Excellent road feel and tolerance to wind sway are the rewards of this design.
Major Options
Three-speed automatic transmission, radio and whitewalls. Only the GT carries radial ply tires as standard.Source - Sunbeam /Chrysler
The Alpine GT, a 94 horsepower twin-carburetor version wîth burled walnut interior, is aimed at the modest-luxury market. It is a stylish vehicle wîth good performance and fuel economy, and still offers all the creature comforts sought after by buyers of all ages.
The Alpine Coupe shares every essential features of the GT without visual censure but will be more modestly priced. Its power plant is derived from the 73 horsepower Arrow sedan. (concept carz) Its interior, too, is done in walnut, vinyl and carpeting.
StylingThe fastback body is highlighted by a V-shaped grille and dual headlights. A shadow-capturing break line extends from fender tip to taillight. The long hood slopes gently to a vee and the taut roof arcs smoothly to the tip of the deck. Rear and side glass combine to provide an airy 'bridge' structure. The 'C' post is vinyl covered and carries the emblem 'GT' in its center. 'Alpine' is spelled in block letters at its base.
The rear is crisply chamfered in a stub-deck effect to help accent the hood's length. The curved side glass and quarter window protect from and rear fenders. A die-cast and chromed filler cap nestles high on the left rear fender.
GT Features
A full-width sill molding, in brushed aluminum, covers the entire rocker panel. Full wheel covers, rubber bumper guards and window moldings highlight the car. Three stainless bars interspersed wîth black are on the trunk lid's rear face.
The engine is a smooth four-cylinder twin-carburetor 1725cc power plant, fitted wîth a new hydraulic vibration damper. The transmission is a four-speed manual wîth automatic as optional.The interior is in burled walnut replete wîth instruments, gadgets and assists including tachometer, lighter, vanity mirror and clock. Headrest-high front seats in breathable Ambla vinyl coordinate wîth the molded carpet floor covering. A deep-dish §teering wheel wîth soft center-hub is used.
Coupe Features
Only subtle exterior differences distinguish the Coupe from the GT. A thin sill cap molding replaces the wide GT style and the window reveal moldings are slightly narrowed. Trunk moldings are simpler. Full but simple wheel covers are used. The 'C' post is body-color wîth the Rootes lion in its center.
The interior features a straight-grain walnut instrument panel wîth round speedometer and instrument cluster. The center console is a molded polymer wîth two ashtrays. Embossed Ambla vinyl and molded carpeting are used. The headrest-high front seats are of the same configuration as the GT.Welcomed Features
Flow-through ventilation -- wîth a fan-driven fresh air system and swiveling spot coolers - effectively deals wîth winter stuffiness or summer simmering.
The large-size trunk is due in part to the spare tire storage beneath the rear body in a theft-proof steel sling.
RoadabilityRoadability of both models is due to its modern strut suspension, front disc brakes and wide-spaced leaf-spring rear suspension. Excellent road feel and tolerance to wind sway are the rewards of this design.
Major Options
Three-speed automatic transmission, radio and whitewalls. Only the GT carries radial ply tires as standard.Source - Sunbeam /Chrysler
The Sunbeam Alpine was introduced in 1953 and its arrival was historic, as it was the first vehicle to bear the Sunbeam name alone since the 1920 merger of Sunbeam, Talbot, and Darracq. It was a derivative of the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Saloon, and thus (in modern times), is often referred to as the Talbot Alpine. It was the work of Sunbeam-Talbot dealer George Hartwell in Bournemouth who was working on a rally car.
The Sunbeam Alpine was powered by a four-cylinder engine that displaced 2267cc and mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Hydraulic drum brakes could be found in the front and rear and had a Burman variable-ratio steering setup. The Mark I and Mark III were in production from 1953 through 1955; there was no Mark II. Around 3000 examples were produced during this time and each was hand built at Thrupp & Maberly. Most were exported to the USA as left-hand drive models. It is believed that a around 200 examples still exist.
A redesigned version appeared near the close of the 1950s. It was designed by Kenneth Howes and Jeff Crompton and given a two-door roadster configuration. Production lasted until 1968 with around 70,000 examples produced.
In 1960 the engine was enlarged to 1592cc. In 1963, the Alpine became available in both open and removable hardtop versions. The following year, the smaller engine option was no longer available. The rear had received re-styling with the downsizing of the fins being the most notable change.
The final version was the Series V which began in 1965 and continued until 1968. It had a larger 1725cc engine, with five main bearings and twin Zenith-Stromberg semi-downdraught carburetors. The automatic gearbox that was offered since 1964 as an option was now no longer available.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe Sunbeam Alpine was powered by a four-cylinder engine that displaced 2267cc and mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Hydraulic drum brakes could be found in the front and rear and had a Burman variable-ratio steering setup. The Mark I and Mark III were in production from 1953 through 1955; there was no Mark II. Around 3000 examples were produced during this time and each was hand built at Thrupp & Maberly. Most were exported to the USA as left-hand drive models. It is believed that a around 200 examples still exist.
A redesigned version appeared near the close of the 1950s. It was designed by Kenneth Howes and Jeff Crompton and given a two-door roadster configuration. Production lasted until 1968 with around 70,000 examples produced.
In 1960 the engine was enlarged to 1592cc. In 1963, the Alpine became available in both open and removable hardtop versions. The following year, the smaller engine option was no longer available. The rear had received re-styling with the downsizing of the fins being the most notable change.
The final version was the Series V which began in 1965 and continued until 1968. It had a larger 1725cc engine, with five main bearings and twin Zenith-Stromberg semi-downdraught carburetors. The automatic gearbox that was offered since 1964 as an option was now no longer available.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2008
| Auctions America Readies for Highly Anticipated Spring Carlisle Collector Car Weekend | |
 | • Auctions America returns to Carlisle, Pennsylvania for its annual Spring Carlisle sale, April 25-26 • Two-day sale lifts the gavel on a diverse roster of approximately 300 quality collector cars • Notable highlights include a rare 1959 Chevrolet Corvette 'Big-Brake' Fuel-Injected Roadster, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS5 Convertible and a 1999 Bentley Azure Convertible • Sale held during Carlisle Events' highly anticipated Spring Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet & Corral weekend, April 24...[Read more...] |
| VICARI AUCTION COMPANY OFFERS RARE '62 & '63 Z06 CORVETTES AT 2013 CRUISIN' NOCONA | |
 | In a recent rare find, two classic Chevrolet Corvettes (one '62 and one '63) - stored for decades-are being made available by the Vicari Auction Company. Both vehicles will cross the block during 2013 Cruisin' Nocona, a north Texas collector car auction and classic car poker cruise set for April 19th and 20th in historic Nocona, Texas. The Corvettes are virtually all-original, and have been stored in Texas by a classic-vehicle aficionado and collector since the 1980s. 'These...[Read more...] |
| Barrett-Jackson Flavors Its January Scottsdale Auction With NASCAR Treats | |
 | • RACING HERITAGE, HIGH PERFORMANCE ARE RECIPES FOR CAR-COLLECTING FEAST • SPEED™ SET FOR 39 HOURS of LIVE COVERAGE STARTING JAN. 15 The great Henry Ford once said, 'Auto racing began five minutes after the second car was built.' And for more than 60 years, there are few entities that better represent auto racing in America than NASCAR. From the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway, to Sonoma, California's intricate and picturesque road course, the sp...[Read more...] |
| TOPLINE COLLECTORS PLACE SPOTLIGHT on SPEED'S BARRETT-JACKSON BROADCAST FROM SCOTTSDALE | |
 | • TOPLINE COLLECTORS PLACE SPOTLIGHT on SPEED'S BARRETT-JACKSON BROADCAST FROM SCOTTSDALE • 'LOST' SHELBY DUAL PROTOTYPE, HAGERTY GIVEAWAY & SALON COLLECTION HIGHLIGHT 39 HOURS OF LIVE COVERAGE The 42nd annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale (Ariz.) Collector Car Event, the first of four set for live coverage in 2013, kicks off the auction season in grand style as some of the world's most sought-after machines cross the block starting Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. SP...[Read more...] |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1969 |
| Chevron B16 |
| Datsun 2000 |
| Lamborghini Islero |
| McLaren M12 |
| MG MGB MKII |
| Simca 1204 |
| Triumph TR6 |
| Volkswagen Beetle 1500 |
| Sunbeam: 1961-1970 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Sunbeam History |
| Other models by Sunbeam |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix |
| Mid-Ohio Car Show |
| Alpine Harrington Tiger |
