Real Road Test: Sunbeam Alpine - what a sound!

This time, I drive a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine Series V, a successful sports car from the Rootes Group, based on the Commer Cob/Hillman Husky van/estate. What is this MGB rival like to drive?

Want to help Hubnut for free? Don't forget to like the video if you like it, and share with your friends if you really like it! Thank you all.

[drr]

I will lament again. What made sports cars great was their simplicity. This car, the original Cobra, Corvette, Mg were intelligently put together with common parts. The computer that designed them was the human mind, and required skills from the driver and we're fun to drive.
Another great test Ian.

[nickthomas]

The 1725 engine is one of legend for Hillman /Chrysler. It featured in some amazing and mundane Vehicles. Humber Scepter mark 3. This beautiful Alpine and has to be said Midget killer is one . Furious Driving tested the Hilman Hunter GLS with a tuned 1725 as standard what a car. The Commer van wouldn't be a legendary van or motorhome(The gorgeous Highwayman) without the 1725, a 1500 was the top engine in the Commer at first and very underpowered. In the van form, it has an Iron head a single carb. The best Alpine for me has to be the fastback as good looking as a Stag which prototyped a hard top coupe-like a GT6 but the fastback man something else . A great review cheers Ian.

[StPi]

Never had more fun than driving a car in the rain than one of these, no grip and oversteer on demand. Hilarious in an empty wet car park.

[Car_and_classic_lover]

My first experience in a classic car was in a Sunbeam Tiger, it was one of the most fun cars I've ever been in, it was thanks to that car that i fell in love with classic cars! 👍

[TheGramophoneGirl]

That's a very well kept and cherished car.

[stephenswift]

Pretty little car! I can imagine Terry Thomas driving like a hooligan in one!

[seancooke]

Beautiful lines especially in white. My primary school days were spent between my neighbour's Superminx Estate and my Dad's 2 Arrrows, a white Minx and a green Singer. All of them were 1600s but the engine was very tough and sounded great.
I think Miss Hubnut needs a drop top for the Summer and this little Sunbeam Alpine suits you Ian.

[neilsheppard]

What a cracking little car! The adjustable steering column, overdrive and dimming dash light is the business. Nice area to test a convertible, glad the weather was kind!

[chrisweddle]

There's an awful lot of Sunbeam Rapier in that dashboard (or vice versa!) I'd completely forgotten about the centre of the steering wheel. Brilliant!

[ibenpishtoff]

I purchased a light blue 1967 Sunbeam Alpine soft top fresh out of high school in 1971. Being from the States, it was a left hand drive. I didn’t own it very long because of constant breakdowns. Couldn’t find parts and only one mechanic in my hometown that I could trust to adjust dual carbs at the time. I traded it in on a new ‘72 VW bug. Then on to a new ‘74 MGB, which I dearly loved! The Alpine and MGB were a blast drive.

[sbsummit]

Those Alpines are lovely little things - quite similar mechanically to my 73 MGB, and I see you had the same smile on your face that I have when I drive mine!

[markpirateuk]

I have always thought the alpine was underrated, a very pretty car, I would certainly love to own one.

[TheAllyMor]

Thanks for introducing the Alpine to me. What a beautiful piece of design. Wonderful. And great audio, what a rorty little thing she is!!

[captaccordion]

Ooh yes, an Alpine with 1725 and overdrive! It definitely holds a high place on the 'would love to own one but could never afford to' list!

[michaeltutty]

Simply amazing car, and a great review, Ian. Just the kind of car I love. The perfect car for those roads. The owner is a very lucky man indeed.

[MrButtonpresser]

Always fancied an Alpine, delightful!

[scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Lovely little sports car, lovely exhaust note and excellent review as always. #powerlessismore

[glynluff]

The Husky was short wheelbase because it was based on the post war saloon. The Minx that followed was the Audax series which was a different chassis. The steering is as you say but it has a proper front suspension system which is novel for the time. The brakes were only servoed later in life but on the Super Minx third gear is handy for deceleration but the brakes are heavy. A very fair report on a comfortable classic.

[MCallsen]

I love to see the fun you have in those recent tests :D Also my Opel Corsa C sounds the same, but only since I dropped the complete exhaust last week on a busy road -.-

[danieleregoli]

Fabulous. Just fabulous. Love the car. Love it.