sbarer’s 1963 Sunbeam Alpine

For years I have threatened my wife with my desire to go vintage racing.  What kept our relationship safe was the fact that I could never find a race car that I wanted (or wanted, but could afford)...until now.  As shown by the pictures of this car as it arrived, I had to cut the phone lines to ensure my wife couldn't make any knee-jerk calls to a divorce attorney.The British-based Sunbeam is a fairly unknown marque among Americans.  The name usually makes Americans think of the consumer electrics company (irons, toasters and the like), but muscle car fans are often familiar with the company's Tiger model, because this Alpine-based car used a factory-installed 260 (and later a 289) Ford V8. Before the Tiger, however, the Alpine was Sunbeam's entry in the popular sports roadster segment.Motivating the Alpine is the company's cast-iron four cylinder block with aluminum head displacing 1592cc.  With its standard dual carburetors, the engine produced around 80hp and was good enough to push the car to 100 mph.

(It's amazing what $15 in Krylon accomplishes!)While it doesn't sound fast, Alpines were actually far more competitive in racing than the V8 Tigers.  The Alpine lacked all-out power, but it was faster than other cars in its class, plus it had tremendous handling and good braking with discs up front and drums in rear.  (The Tiger, however, was out-gunned by Shelby GT350s and Corvettes)Furthermore, with nice creature comforts like roll-up windows and reclining seats, the Sunbeam was a classier (yet less expensive) option for those looking at Triumph, MG and other British cars.This specific car did battle in SCCA racing over at least four different decades.  Its last owner raced it briefly four years ago prior to getting deployed to Iraq.  It sat gathering dirt, mice and spiders until I parted with a very small sum.

(Before and After: More Krylon and rattle can vinyl dye)The car has no doors or bumpers, the wheel wells have minor flares, there's a modified dashboard, a front air dam, but otherwise it is relatively stock.  In place of Zenith carbs, Stromberg CDs have been fitted.  The car rides on period-correct mags, with a set of matching mags fitted with terribly dry-rotted slicks.

(Drill with wire cup brush wheel transforms mag wheels)Getting the car running wasn't too hard.  The engine turned by hand, the carb pistons move freely and the car rolled.  New ignition parts from Schucks went into the dizzy.  I rebuilt the carbs with a kit from Victoria British and threw in a new battery from Costco.  It fired right up.The brake lines and hydraulics needed to be replaced.  Finding the correct front calipers was the biggest challenge.  Most of the rest of the parts came with the car -- along with  an extra block, two extra heads, a new piston and ring set.