Cruising RPM's

[alpine_64]

Bill simple math.. Different stats.
Apparently close to 50% of alpines made had o/d.

About 70% of production went to usa. A decent % of alpines in uk and au had o/d... But that still leaves lots of stateside cars to make up the o/d fitment. I think the notion of less than 10% of usa cars having o/d may be ambitious.

 

[65beam]

If you take a look at the registry on this site you'll find roughly 75 LRX cars of the 1575 total number of cars listed were sent to the states and had O/D. Less than 5% of cars listed. What does that tell you???? If 70% of the cars came to the states then cars with O/D were rare. If 50 thousand cars came here the number with O/D would be close to 2500 based on the registry.

 

[alpine_64]

Well hopefully the rootes archive will be able to shed some light on the matter.

Given there are a large number of sii alpine vins that appear to be eronious in records and a sample size of the registry, along with the propensity of od units to fail and not be repaired i wouldnt use it as the sample.

Aa for 0-60 times.. Except series 3 all od alpines used the 4.22... So you got a faster 0-60 than a non od car and a higher top speeed.

 

[Tom H]

Michael, I can tell you that finding an Alpine OD in the US is not easy. Almost every Alpine I see for sale or for parts in the US does NOT have an OD. I hope we can find some record that would resolve this issue, but I can assure you, as an Alpine owner for 53 years, I know that the OD's are rare in the US.

Regarding the 4.22 axle, I think I might have confused things by discussing OD and 4.22 in same paragraph. My 4.22 comment was aimed at answering 65Beam's question (post #36) about why the factory chose to equip all SV's with 4.22 axles regardless of OD or not. I think they did that so that ANY Alpine had a quick take off from the light- not just that rare OD Alpine.

Tom

 

[Bill Blue]

Michael, I was referring to the opinion stated by the magazine, not the percentages. The overdrive Alpines were somewhat of a rarity. When I purchased my Series II, I had a choice between a wire wheel car with 4 speed or an overdrive car with steel wheels. I choose the later. Years later I learned my car was an early Series II as it had a grease gun in the tool kit. I purchased it in September of 1963. So it had been seating on the dealers lot for a long time. I think perhaps that is in part due to the fact it had OD and therefor a higher price. My only regret is that the OD was troublesome died at about 30,000 miles. I just wish Rootes had done a better job with what they had to work with.

Bill

 

[Hodee]

I went for a spirited drive last night and had a good time. Took it to 4500 rpm and the engine just got smoother and smoother in the higher revs. At about 34-3500 there is a vibration that is not fun. I have heard others mention this as well on the forum and need to research the cause and cure. Here are a few pics, and trust me, the paint is in bad shape from 1979-80 or so. Rare off center stripe. My jaw dropped the first time I saw this car as a kid and still gives me smiles to own and drive it now.

 

[Jay Laifman]

I'm going to strongly disagree with concern about adding an OD to an "original non-OD" car.

First, I'm sorry but Alpines are just never going to be big money. It's over. It's not going to happen.

Second, even for an Alpine lover who wants a really stock car, I don't think there is a single one who will pay less because it is a non OD car, but has an OD.

Third, I think in fact such a person will pay more for an added OD, as long as it's done right.

Finally, I got my car in the late 70's and wanted it to be faster. Even then my dad kept saying, get an OD, get an OD. But when I finally had money to burn in the late 80's I went full Holbay, head, cam, dual Webers, big pistons, etc. Great car. Finally the power it always needed. Then one day I finally got an OD. "OMG" what a difference. Dad was so right. Even with all the hi po Holbay stuff, I have to say, the OD was equal to if not more of an improvement with the overall enjoyment of the car.

So I strongly suggest you reconsider your reluctance to make such a great improvement to your car.

 

[Hodee]

Jay, with your comments in mind, what about just going to a 5 speed rather than a factory OD ?

 

[Jay Laifman]

Jay, with your comments in mind, what about just going to a 5 speed rather than a factory OD ?

Ha - then it wouldn’t be stock!



Actually, since I started driving with this car, I had a personal attachment to it. I always liked the shifting. I don’t care for modern Toyota boxes in classic cars. Maybe that’s just me.