Conference terri::cars_uk

    I bought a Mk 11 Alpine in 1970 while a student. It was registered
    in 1961, painted bright red and broke down every 500 miles. I dont
    think anything was wrong with the design but it had been neglected.
    The engine was 1600cc basically the same as the Rapier with 8:1
    compression ratio, better cam, hollow pushrods, alloy cylinder head,
    twin downdraught zenith carbs and a four branch exhaust. Max output
    was 80bhp. 
    
    The body suffered from rust like most cars of the generation. Body
    parts were difficult to find even then. Mechanicals were standard
    Rootes Group. Wishbone front suspension, cartsprings at the rear.
    Handling was OK in the dry with heavy steering. In the wet with
    early Micheln X tyres it could be dangerous. 
    
    For a sports car it had a good boot and space behind the seats.
    Nice enough to drive and good for a bit over 100mph indicated. Not
    a classic like a MGB as it was, I believe, more a marketing exercise
    by the Rootes Group which is probally why it looked good. I sold
    it for �140 which compares against some of the prices fetched today
    by such cars.
    
    Peter
     

    "Your Classic" magazine has a special article on the Rapier this
    month (history, what to watch for, mechanicals, etc). Mail me with 
    your address and I'll P/c it for you.
         
    Dick.

    Thanks Dick, I'd appreciate it. "Billy Mulqueen @GAO (i.e. Galway)"
    will get to me.
    
    Does that mean that the Rapier and Sunbeam share the same mechanicals?
    Also, which Rapier are we talking about - the '70s or the 50s/60s
    version?
    
    Billy

    There is also an article in this months 'POPULAR CLASSICS' regarding
    buying and owning a Sunbeam Alpine. I've always wanted one, although
    at only 18 years old, I can't quite afford one yet. I would love
    the TIGER version!!!
    
    
    
    		Regards,
    
    
    		Graham
    

    As "Popular Classics" isn't available in any of the Galway newsagents,
    would anyone mind photocopying same and sending it on to me via
    interoffice mail.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Billy

I worked, briefly, for a US dealer who sold Sunbeams/Hillmans etc. in
the 1960's.

We sold a fair number of Alpines and I believe the earlier desciption
of their machanicals to be accurate. (NOT from the 1950 version Sunbeams
but the later ones).

The engines were very strong as I remember, much quieter amd generally
a more modern design than BMC lumps.

A customer had us prepare a Harrington LeMans version for Sebring. (forget
the year but I think it was 1960). Two Weber carbs were fitted as well as
some other tuning bits. A whole crowd of us towed the car to Florida. I
was the chief gas_tank_filler_up_person during the race. Since the Webers
drank lots of fuel AND an over zealous pit steward broke the filler cap
lid, the car required fuel about every 15 laps or so. Needless to say I
got a workout and didn't get to see much of the race. 

In the pit next to us was a regular Alpine prepared and entered by the
old Sports Car Graphic/Hollywood Sports Car folks. Doane Spencer was the
head machanic (still active in vintage circles in Cal.) and the #1 driver
was Jerry Titus (went on to bigger/faster cars, maybe even F1 and was
killed). Their car was much faster than ours due to dyno tested engine
with 'secret' mods. However they did break a rear axel and lost a good
hour changin it. They still managed to beat us. A Porsche 904 (?) was
first in the class, the regular Alpine was second and we were third.

The important thing was that the car finished the full 12 hours, never
skipped a beat and aside from the fuel situation and a faulty overdrive
switch (fixed in the pits), everything went fine. Needless to say it was
a great experience for me.

    RE.5
    
    I'll photocopy the article in "Popular Classics" for you and send
    it through internal mail.
    
    
    
    		Regards 
    
    
    		Graham

    Dick/Graham,
    
    I received both your articles through interoffice mail today. Thanks
    both for taking the time to send them on to me.
                         
    Billy