Sunbeam Alpine Series II

Sunbeam Alpine Series II

The Sunbeam Alpine, produced by the Rootes Group from 1959 to 1968, offered a more refined alternative to MG and Triumph sports cars. Styled by Kenneth Howes with input from Rootes' American consultants, the Alpine featured clean, elegant lines that appealed particularly to American buyers. The Series II, introduced in 1960, refined the original design with improved interior trim and minor mechanical updates. Power came from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 80 horsepower - modest by sports car standards but adequate given the car's light weight and aerodynamic efficiency. The Alpine's strength was its civilized nature: proper wind-up windows (not sidescreens), decent weather sealing, comfortable seats, and reasonable luggage space made it suitable for long-distance touring. The chassis featured a conventional setup with front coil springs and rear leaf springs, delivering predictable handling rather than sporting precision. Build quality exceeded many British contemporaries, contributing to better reliability. The Alpine achieved fame through Ian Fleming - James Bond drove one in the novel 'Dr. No' and the car appeared in several episodes of the TV series 'Get Smart'.