1970 Sunbeam Alpine Fastback

Lot details
Registration No: NNH667H
Chassis No: B389501396HC0
Mot Expiry: None

The original Sunbeam Alpine dates back to 1953, and was the first Sunbeam-Talbot to wear the Sunbeam name alone since both marques were absorbed by the Rootes Group in 1935. The model had a stellar rally career but, having been based on the Talbot 90 of 1948 was showing its age by the end of the '50s. A replacement was called for, and in-house designers Ken Howes and Jeff Crompton were tasked with penning a sports car that would appeal to the American market. With Howes having previously worked at Ford, it is perhaps unsurprising that the resulting two-seater of 1959 bore more than a passing resemblance to the Thunderbird. The model was developed through five Series over its 10 year production cycle, during which 69,251 examples were made. The next model to wear the Alpine moniker was a slightly slower but more economical version of the Sunbeam Rapier Fastback. Introduced in 1969, it was powered by a single carburettor variant of the company's proven 1725cc four-cylinder engine. The distinctive design featured pillarless doors.

This relatively tidy 1970 example sports White bodywork and a Blue-coloured interior. It has been in the current ownership since 2007 and, though little used in recent times, is apparently 'on the button' and taxed.