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The Sunbeam Alpine - it all started with my Humber Sceptre Car I once used. At the time of owning that car, it was pitiful to note its manufacturer Rootes Motor was shrinking into oblivion. And so I wanted to make it a point that I had once upon a time kept a Sports car produced by Rootes Then later, I found out that the Sunbeam Alpine was once used as a James Bond's car. That was the background behind me including a Sunbeam Alpine into my collection. Once again, the usual - seeing the car being stripped down and first, sent for painting.
Quality of the pictures taken at that time was less than desirable but anyway serve as some sort of record. Two pictures here showing the WIP front & back views of the Alpine.
Then one showing the original interior, in another picture further down, actually for comparison to see once it was refurbished with new dashboard as compared with how it looked like.
One more look at the car before painting.
Now the re-painted car in Post Office Red! First - The dashboard was refurbished and so was the entire interior. So nice!
Seats reupholstered with door linings.
Another look into the whole interior of the car
The engine compartment was given a good clean up. Of course details given to many components like ignition coil, air filter and radiator etc. All new parts added to make the car as original as possible.
There the finished car on our front yard looking at the front yard. After doing up the few cars this way it was quite easy. So the work done on this Alpine would be "routine." BUT - it gave me a big problem though. The front windscreen with very pronounced curvature was broken and was hard to get a replacement here locally as well as in UK. Not a popular model and after the model being out of production, spares are scarce. I had the car done up and waited a long time to procure a new windscreen Finally before I don't have the chance to run the car myself. Words got out and a buyer from East Malaysia offered to take it over from me. It is a pleasure to look at this car.
And from the back!
and from the side as well
A direct side elevation. Just like me then -admiring my cars daily.
In the car porch side by side with the MGB.
One more look at the car with the surroundings then.
I was really hard press for space to park the 4 additional sports cars at my house. There was ample space in my front lawn of my house. But the compound was 15 feet higher than the road. So came out with an idea to hire a crane and crew to get the car lifted up high and over the perimeter fencing.
Rather unusual venture for a private house to undertake this industrial venture.
And the car got over the fencing and into the garden
Just look at her face! Funny things happening eh?
& down onto the lawn of the compound.
Finally a proper shed was erected to shelter the car. Meaning - this car could be started on weekend but not driven out at all.
Partly blame my own energy resources. It was stretched thin to have these cars working regularly. So psychologically, one car less that needed driving out, easier for me to devote my attention on the others. Anyway, the handicap of not having a windscreen was the main reason why this car was singled out for cold storage. Anyway, it was only on weekends that I could do the driving of cars for exercise. As I had written else, that the running of these cars was not an easy task. So much of discomfort that demanded the extra bit of energy. Most important point, I guess overall that I had completed doing up and had kept 4 sports cars at one time. Satisfied! and with the hard work invested, I don't think I could sustain that level of dedication to continue clinging on to this standard. Cannot deny that after all the hard work, I was not willing to see these beautiful cars not kept in the peak conditions. So having possessed once - can let them off to others who appreciate these items.
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