At the Richardson "Yard" there are currently seven. I own all but one.
When I retired from the USAF in April 1979, I headed home to Greenwood, SC. Sometime about early 1980 I spotted a Maroon Alpine under a carport near my home on Lake Greenwood. Making a mental note to check if it may be for sale, I stopped back by a few weeks later. Knocked on the door and a nice lady answered, when asked if it was for sale, she said she would gladly sale it, but her husband would not. Not recognizing who she was married too I left and again made a mental note to check back. A few days later I knocked on the same door, but this time I was very pleased to come face to face with one of my old fishing and swimming buddies from early '50 thru high school.
We discussed old times, some of our experiences in the USAF, the places we were stationed and how he became the proud owner of the Maroon Alpine. We had some pleasurable days before I broached the subject on the Maroon Alpine being for sale. Nope, it was not for sale.
Kirby ordered the Alpine while stationed in the UK with the USAF. He watched it roll down the Rootes Assembly line. He drove it in England for about four and a half years then shipped to Shaw AFB in SC for another five before retiring. He also purchased an Early Series IV GT BW35 Colour Code 39 for parts sometime in the mid '70's. Pulled a caliper and a fuel tank out for the Maroon 70 Alpine, then sat the Red One under a couple big pine trees.
On and on we talked until one day Kirby said I could buy the Maroon Alpine with one exception. I had to haul off the Red One. Man, that was a piece of junk. The metal worms had done their thing.....so I offered to drive the Maroon Alpine home and come back later for the Red One......Great offer huh?
NOPE, Kirby said. I know you Danny Boy, you’ll get the Maroon Alpine home and then forget the deal and I'll have to haul off the Red One. No deal.
Well, I wanted that little Maroon Alpine, so a deal was made, and I loaded up the Red One and headed home. Had it been a weekday it would have gone to the Salvage Yard for sure.
I looked the Red One over carefully and decided to keep for the time being, lots of good parts including a replacement engine (blank VIIN #) from Rootes. It remained in storage for about 25 years until one day while browsing the SAOCA Forum I discovered something I wanted to do, you can probably guess by now, convert the Red One to a FORD (Cologne) V6.
The amazing aspect of salvaging the Red One was the underside (x-frame) was near perfect condition, yet the panels were nearly gone. Tried to figure why the frame was still intact. Surely it was the old hardtop that had withstood the elements all those years before I came into possession.
I bought a Jose V6 Conversion and began a long project of converting the Red One to be powered by a FORD V6. I was not pleased with the design of the components even thought they were quality items. Several attempts were made before I was satisfied with my design of things especially the straight back headers. The Red One became the guinea pig for all my components. You should see the beautiful Red One now. A bit more work getting the fuel system and timing done and the new upholstery and I will be a proud Sunbeam Alpine Owner. Keep’em-on-the-Road is a grand Motto.
We drove the Maroon Alpine for a few years before the oil pressure dropped. Put in storage until recently when I started a restoration project, a few pieces (patches) of new outer panels were all that was required because the Maroon Alpine was near rust free. Such places as the battery box, the kick pan, spare tire holder and most of the floor panels were near perfect condition. The body has now gone thru the stages of sanding, priming, prepping for the painting.
Biggest problem is determining the correct paint formula for the Maroon code 70. I really do want it to be in the “best” selection of original maroon as possible.
It is ready for the paint except for the engine compartment needs a bit more prepping, then off to the paint booth.
Sometimes back in the mid 80’s I help my oldest son Danny purchase a ’67 SV ST Commodore Blue Alpine. It was not in the perfect condition but a very nice driver. He drove the wheels off before joining the Army. Put in storage until he returned home around 2005. He no longer wanted it, so I helped him get a pretty ’79 Toyota Celica Coupe for the Commodore Blue Alpine. The ’67 remained in storage until 2008 when I started a complete restoration. Beefing up the 1725 engine and adding A/C was my intent, otherwise it would be a stocker. Rust free, the body work was a snap. Found a Commodore Blue matching paint and purchased upholstery from Sunbeam Specialties for the final touches. First outing was at the British Car Event 2010 at Cayce Speedway in Columbia, SC. Had a great time!
Sometime afterwards a gent wanted to buy my 1725 engine. Not really wanting to sell it, I did because I had a 2.8 V6 sitting in the shop that was awaiting the Red One’s completion. Blue Boy became V6 Powered shortly afterwards the sell of the 1725. Never regretted the switch over. Been going full bore ever since.
My son Daniel and I travelled to Beaumont, Texas and picked up a Green Alpine from Sam Gwynn. It was the making of a V6 with major components and lots of other parts and pieces for completing the Project. What we call the Green1 or Sam’s Alpine has undergone lots of repairs. Currently on my rotisserie for the “x” frame repair, it was badly damaged by the metal worms. I am awaiting components for a “new” x frame that my Draftsman/Engineer/Laser Buddy is making. All body work has been accomplished including the sanding, priming, and prepping for the paint booth. The major components for completion are on hand: T5, V6 Engine, Modified Radiator, Rear Disc brakes, Straight back headers, etc. Keep’em-on-the-Road…
Daniel and I also traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and brought back an Azure Blue Alpine that is complete. It does have some common extensive metal worm damage. Plans are to restore this one too. Remember, Keep’em-on-the-Road…
My good friend Bill Blue had an unexpected mishap while attempting to visit an O’Reilly Auto Parts Store awhile back. He was rear ended while driving his Orange Alpine. The damage was extensive to the right rear section, bending the bumper, quarter panel crumpling the gas tank, pushing the B0Post into the door. The door will still open and close but needs the more clearance. Bill decided to forgo repairs and he and I traded Alpines. I had a Silver Alpine that would accomplish what he wanted, and I hauled the Orange One to Sunny South Carolina for repairs.
While extensive damage was done, I have the necessary replacement components on hand. My friend Mike runs a front-end alignment shop that also does frame repair, so the Orange One is scheduled for his expertise shortly. Remember, Keep’em-on-the-Road…