Sunbeam Alpine: Britain's Forgotten Sports Car Icon
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There are British sports cars that everyone remembers, and then there are the ones that deserve far more recognition than they get. The Sunbeam Alpine falls firmly into the second category. Elegant, purposeful, and with a genuine motorsport heritage, it is one of the most underrated open-top cars to emerge from post-war Britain. Once you understand what it is, it becomes very difficult to overlook.
Origins and History
The Sunbeam Alpine story begins in the early 1950s, when the Rootes Group was looking to add a sporting edge to its range. The original Series I arrived in 1953, but it was the all-new second-generation Alpine, launched in 1959, that truly defined the model. Designed by Kenneth Howes, this was a proper two-seat roadster built to take on the best of continental Europe.
The Alpine ran through five distinct series, from 1959 to 1968, with each iteration bringing refinements to the engine, bodywork, and specification. Rootes built the car at its Ryton-on-Dunsmore plant in Coventry, keeping production firmly on home soil. By the time the final Series V rolled off the line, over 69,000 Alpines had been produced, making it one of Britain's most successful sports car exports of the era.
The Design
Kenneth Howes had spent time at Ford of America, and that transatlantic influence shows in the Alpine's styling. The car has a long, low bonnet, a sharply defined waistline, and distinctive tail fins that give it a character all of its own. It looks confident without being brash, and it has aged beautifully as a result.
The open cockpit, wind-down windows, and fold-flat hood gave the Alpine a proper roadster feel without sacrificing everyday usability. The Series IV and V cars smoothed off the fins for a cleaner, more modern look, but enthusiasts tend to prefer the earlier cars for their more exuberant character. Either way, this is a car that turns heads wherever it goes.
Performance and Driving
Early Alpines used a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing around 78 bhp, enough to push the lightweight roadster to 60 mph in just over thirteen seconds and on to a top speed approaching 100 mph. By the Series IV, engine capacity had grown to 1.7 litres, bringing a welcome improvement in both power and torque. These are not savage numbers by modern standards, but in the context of the early 1960s, the Alpine was a genuine performer.
Behind the wheel, the Alpine rewards a smooth, committed driving style. The steering is direct and communicative, the gearbox a pleasure to use, and the chassis well-balanced through corners. Drop the hood on a warm afternoon, point the long bonnet at a B-road, and it is immediately apparent why so many drivers fell in love with this car. It has real honesty to it, a directness that many modern sports cars struggle to replicate.
Cultural Impact
The Sunbeam Alpine earned genuine cultural cachet when it appeared alongside Sean Connery in the original James Bond film Dr. No in 1962. That alone would be enough for many cars, but the Alpine's screen career did not stop there. It appeared in several American television series throughout the 1960s, cementing its reputation as the stylish British roadster of choice.
On the motorsport side, Alpines competed at Le Mans on multiple occasions, with the 1961 team achieving a remarkable class victory. Works cars also tackled the Alpine Rally, from which the car's name is said to derive, and acquitted themselves well against much more exotic machinery. This was not a car built purely for show.
Buying a Sunbeam Alpine Today
The good news for prospective buyers is that the Alpine remains genuinely affordable by classic car standards. Series I and II cars command a premium for their rarity and distinctive styling, but a solid, usable Series IV or V can still be found for between four and ten thousand pounds. Exceptional, fully restored examples fetch considerably more, particularly those with documented history.
When inspecting a car, focus on the sills, floor pans, and inner wings, as these are the areas most prone to rust on British steel of this era. Chrome trim and hood mechanisms can be expensive to restore, so factor that into any purchase decision. Parts availability is reasonable, with a number of specialist suppliers catering to the Alpine community. The Sunbeam Alpine Owners Club is an excellent first port of call for advice and connections to trusted restorers.
Shop Sunbeam Alpine Art at KK Automotive Art
KK Automotive Art does not yet have a Sunbeam Alpine design in our collection. We are working on bringing this iconic car to our range, so watch this space. In the meantime, explore our classic car phone cases, classic car mugs and limited edition prints.
Explore more British classics in our classic cars blog.