So, looks like I have found my car. Its an interesting one and a crazy hybrid of different sources from what I can tell, but comes with a fun history and from a nice couple.
The car was owned by one couple since new (and in fact was where they had their first date.) Its a 1960 Sunbeam Alpine Series II. That's the start.
They sold it a few weeks ago via Craigslist. I thought I was buying it, but another Sunbeam fan swooped in and bought it via Paypal sight unseen. A shame for me, but no worries, at least another enthusiast got it.
However, it turns out his wife preferred her other car, and so he put it back up. Eventually we came up with a deal that got him a bit of a profit and still gave me a deal, which I appreciate. Apparently he's part of the local Tiger community, and seems like a nice fellow.
Now here is where it gets interesting.
The original owner was an auto mechanic instructor for years and applied that to the car. He also owned a 73 RX-3 from new and at some point (I'm guessing late 70s or early 80s) transplanted the engine, diff, transmission (automatic), radiator, gauges, rear end etc from the RX-3 into the Sunbeam.
The dual braking system is from a vintage Toyota, while the brakes themselves are Mazda. The fuel tank is from a 1960 Falcon.
I'm actually not even sure what is really left to work on other than the body that is stock Alpine at this point. Still it should be a great adventure. Based on the year of the engine, it should be a 12a rotary, which can take a lot of porting if I ever get around to it. Both the original owner and the guy who bought it say the car is nearly without rust being a Cali original.
So here's for the start of an adventure. I'll get pictures up as soon as I get it. The gentleman I'm getting it from flushed the fuel and tried the ignition as a test and said the engine caught which is sort of surprising. Still, we're going to tackle the brakes first before doing anything else, then start looking at the other hoses and seals and parts of the car.
Wish me luck. I haven't poked under the hood of a car since I was 14. A lot of learning ahead for me.
The car was owned by one couple since new (and in fact was where they had their first date.) Its a 1960 Sunbeam Alpine Series II. That's the start.
They sold it a few weeks ago via Craigslist. I thought I was buying it, but another Sunbeam fan swooped in and bought it via Paypal sight unseen. A shame for me, but no worries, at least another enthusiast got it.
However, it turns out his wife preferred her other car, and so he put it back up. Eventually we came up with a deal that got him a bit of a profit and still gave me a deal, which I appreciate. Apparently he's part of the local Tiger community, and seems like a nice fellow.
Now here is where it gets interesting.
The original owner was an auto mechanic instructor for years and applied that to the car. He also owned a 73 RX-3 from new and at some point (I'm guessing late 70s or early 80s) transplanted the engine, diff, transmission (automatic), radiator, gauges, rear end etc from the RX-3 into the Sunbeam.
The dual braking system is from a vintage Toyota, while the brakes themselves are Mazda. The fuel tank is from a 1960 Falcon.
I'm actually not even sure what is really left to work on other than the body that is stock Alpine at this point. Still it should be a great adventure. Based on the year of the engine, it should be a 12a rotary, which can take a lot of porting if I ever get around to it. Both the original owner and the guy who bought it say the car is nearly without rust being a Cali original.
So here's for the start of an adventure. I'll get pictures up as soon as I get it. The gentleman I'm getting it from flushed the fuel and tried the ignition as a test and said the engine caught which is sort of surprising. Still, we're going to tackle the brakes first before doing anything else, then start looking at the other hoses and seals and parts of the car.
Wish me luck. I haven't poked under the hood of a car since I was 14. A lot of learning ahead for me.
