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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MESE:IT&viewitem=&item=300212016814&rd=1
Apr-04-08
Q: In my experience, Sunbeam Alpine series I cars utilized a different type of spare tire strap assembly than the type depicted in your series II ad. An Alpine series I car that I recently disassembled, specifically VIN B9006258 did not use a metal hook at the false floor bracket location- rather, the strap fabric was actually riveted to the bracket and the strap was tightened with the buckle mechanism. Writer currently has a series I spare tire strap asy. with some deteriorated / missing upper strap section listed on an eBay ad ending April 6, 2008. (see photos) Another series I car, also recently disassembled by writer had only the spare tire strap bracket intact on the trunk false floor. (B9004208) The Sunbeam Alpine Parts List, Rootes Publication No. 6600992 has an illustration of the series I-II spare tire strap asy.(PLATE E SECTION YV) although the detail is ambiguous pertaining to the strap (hook) end, LISTING both types of strap end, with no breakdown by VIN. Mark Sorsdahl
A: Mark, Yes, what you said! I advertised this as a Series II Strap as I was uncertain when they made the change. Rootes seemed to make changes whenever they felt like it or ran out of parts. Those dirty little monkeys working in the factory floor also made those decisions for the top brass while they smoked their pipes and drank fine whiskey in the big office. Who would want to be bothered by some dirty little tar covered factory punk asking about trunk straps while you planned a night out in Coventry, England. Can you imagine the sight! The floor manager appears at the office door, asking about trunk straps for spare tires. He babbles about changing the way the strap anchors to the trunk floor. Says he can use some parts he found locally and shows them the part we now know as the “Series II Floor Anchorâ€. One of the executive that is half looped yells at the little guy as cigar smoke pours from his mouth, “you think that god da!# spare is going anywhereâ€. After being humiliated by just about everyone in the room, one of the executive assistants tells him to just take care of it. The man turns and walks away down the long hallway, a small piece of scarlet red vinyl stuck to the bottom of his shoe, dragging like a modern day toilet paper comedy scene. As he pulls his handkerchief from his pocket to blow the factory dust from his nose, an VIN Tag rivet falls to the floor and chimes as it bounces along the cement floor. He looks, then moves on realizing the insignificance of the loss. He has no idea.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MESE:IT&viewitem=&item=300212016814&rd=1
Apr-04-08
Q: In my experience, Sunbeam Alpine series I cars utilized a different type of spare tire strap assembly than the type depicted in your series II ad. An Alpine series I car that I recently disassembled, specifically VIN B9006258 did not use a metal hook at the false floor bracket location- rather, the strap fabric was actually riveted to the bracket and the strap was tightened with the buckle mechanism. Writer currently has a series I spare tire strap asy. with some deteriorated / missing upper strap section listed on an eBay ad ending April 6, 2008. (see photos) Another series I car, also recently disassembled by writer had only the spare tire strap bracket intact on the trunk false floor. (B9004208) The Sunbeam Alpine Parts List, Rootes Publication No. 6600992 has an illustration of the series I-II spare tire strap asy.(PLATE E SECTION YV) although the detail is ambiguous pertaining to the strap (hook) end, LISTING both types of strap end, with no breakdown by VIN. Mark Sorsdahl
A: Mark, Yes, what you said! I advertised this as a Series II Strap as I was uncertain when they made the change. Rootes seemed to make changes whenever they felt like it or ran out of parts. Those dirty little monkeys working in the factory floor also made those decisions for the top brass while they smoked their pipes and drank fine whiskey in the big office. Who would want to be bothered by some dirty little tar covered factory punk asking about trunk straps while you planned a night out in Coventry, England. Can you imagine the sight! The floor manager appears at the office door, asking about trunk straps for spare tires. He babbles about changing the way the strap anchors to the trunk floor. Says he can use some parts he found locally and shows them the part we now know as the “Series II Floor Anchorâ€. One of the executive that is half looped yells at the little guy as cigar smoke pours from his mouth, “you think that god da!# spare is going anywhereâ€. After being humiliated by just about everyone in the room, one of the executive assistants tells him to just take care of it. The man turns and walks away down the long hallway, a small piece of scarlet red vinyl stuck to the bottom of his shoe, dragging like a modern day toilet paper comedy scene. As he pulls his handkerchief from his pocket to blow the factory dust from his nose, an VIN Tag rivet falls to the floor and chimes as it bounces along the cement floor. He looks, then moves on realizing the insignificance of the loss. He has no idea.
