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The Sunbeam Alpine Mk 1 Special was based on the 2267 cc Mk 1 Sunbeam Talbot motor, with alloy rocker cover and Siamese exhaust ports (cylinders 2 and 3). These motors developed a reputed 97.5 bhp at 4,500 rpm, mainly by raising the compression ratio to 8.0:1 and incorporating a special induction manifold with a twin choke Solex 40 P.I.I ...
Rootes Australia was the Australian affiliate of the Rootes Group, a British motor vehicle manufacturing company. [1]The company was formed immediately after the Second World War [1] initially operating as an importing and distribution firm. [2]
James Bond drives a lake blue Series II Sunbeam Alpine in Dr. No (1962). [31] Michael Caine's character drives a Sunbeam Alpine in Gambit (1966). Caine is also rescued by a woman in a white 1968 Alpine roadster in Get Carter (1971). [31] Tuesday Weld's character drives a powder blue 1967 Sunbeam Alpine in Pretty Poison (1968). [31]
During the 1960s, Sunbeam's Alpine convertible was moderately successful in the US market. Rootes considered that the Alpine's sales would be improved with a more powerful model. As a result, in 1964 they introduced the Tiger, a V8 derivative powered by a 260 cu in (4,261 cm 3) Ford V8 engine.
Unett's first racer XRW 302. He began motor racing in 1961. After competing and crashing in a disastrous Club rally, Rootes competition manager Mike Parkes encouraged Unett to attend a race meeting at the Goodwood Circuit, leading him to buy his first racing car, [5] a prototype from the Alpine development programme registration number XRW 302. [6]
The Chrysler Sunbeam is a small supermini three-door hatchback manufactured by Chrysler Europe at the former Rootes Group factory in Linwood in Scotland, from 1977 to 1981. The Sunbeam's development was funded by a UK Government grant with the aim of keeping the Linwood plant running, and the small car was based on the larger Hillman Avenger, also manufactured there.
The Sunbeam Tiger was a development of the Sunbeam Alpine series I, introduced by the British manufacturer Rootes in 1959. [3] Rootes realised that the Alpine needed more power if it was to compete successfully in world markets, but lacked a suitable engine and the resources to develop one.
Since I was one of the Founding members of the now defunct Sunbeam Alpine Club of San Jose, and a collector of Rootes cars, I'm familiar with all of the Series Alpines, having owned several Alpines, including the later 1969 Alpine that was the basis for the Plymouth Arrow.