Happy 20th anniversary to my Alpine 17/11/2016

[alpine_64]

Today marks the 20th anniversary with my series II alpine, it's hard to believe that this day 20 year's ago I was preparing for my final high school exam and spent an alarming amount of time starring at my new found pride and joy.

In the intervening years we have have had many adventures and the car has evolved in that time. It's had 4 types of wheels: factory wires, superlites, factory steels and panasports.

The engine has been breathed on several times, modified chambers, inlets and exhausts, flat tops, electronic ignition. It's gone from the factory twin Zenith's to the rare twin holbay 40DCOE 34/35's and has a complete Alexander conversions twin SU setup in the wings as well as a single dgv just incase I ever get rational.

The car has cobra classic seats and is on it's 3rd mota-lita wheel. It's also acquired a full sync overdrive box and factory hardtop along with telescopic rear shock conversion and rootes spot lamps.

It has had a public life, aside from hundreds of club runs and classic shows it has featured at Melbourne's federation square, been a parade lap car at the Australian grand prix in 2012 and featured in 2 music videos, 1997 screaming jet's "eve of destruction" and 2013 Vance Joy's " play with fire".

So happy anniversary to my series II, you are part of my family, my identity and I look forward to another 20 years of stories and evolution.

 

[DanR]

I lie the story line

and the history behind your Alpine....

Yes it and you are part of our History here at the SAOCA

 

[Alpine 1789]

Happy Anniversary, Michael! As one of the only ones here who has ridden in the car, I can attest that it is one very nice Alpine!

 

[65beam]

20th

Who else has owned their sunbeams twenty years or longer? My series 4 has been in the family for 50+ years. let's hear from other long time owners .

 

[George Coleman]

Bought mine from the original owner in 1971 still have it today and drive it all the time. 67 Alpine V

 

[65beam]

20th

Bought mine from the original owner in 1971 still have it today and drive it all the time. 67 Alpine V

George,
You've never driven it hard. RIGHT?

 

[alpine_64]

Happy Anniversary, Michael! As one of the only ones here who has ridden in the car, I can attest that it is one very nice Alpine!

Hey s man, it's funny the photo of fed square was the day you ride in it! Though had gone from 41° that day to 25° and showers by that night. You were the first saoca member to go in it.

Jerry Logan did about 500miles in it in 2015 and Rick and bonnie from CAT about 1000 miles in 2014.

Have to get you down here again!

 

[alpine_64]

and the history behind your Alpine....

Yes it and you are part of our History here at the SAOCA

The alpine lead me to saoca and so many wonderful friendships, wish done of the original crew were still a little more active, be nice to see Jim E and Jose on more often, Ian and a few of the other early forum guys.

 

[alpine_64]

Almost forgot it's wedding duty roles....

 

[DanR]

Now that JT KING BLACKSMITH Pic would be great for the calendar

 

[George Coleman]

Right its been totaled 3 times and it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

 

[65beam]

20th

George,
Dougie asked me today why they found a bunch of old brazed repairs to the front end of my series 4. I finally told him about stuffing it into two trees after losing control on ice back in 1970. He said something like thank gosh for migs.

 

[65beam]

20th

The alpine lead me to saoca and so many wonderful friendships, wish done of the original crew were still a little more active, be nice to see Jim E and Jose on more often, Ian and a few of the other early forum guys.

Michael,
you do know that several no longer own Sunbeams and others no longer have any interest in cars ? Jobs, families and life get in the way. That sometimes includes kids, mini vans, student loans and a thing called a mortgage. Life moves on and money goes towards things other than cars.

 

[tony perrett]

We have owned our 1964 Series 4 GT for 47 years.

 

[DanR]

I miss Nick O'd too! Loved having his "added comments "

DanR

P.S. And as we all perhaps one day get too old to drive our cars for various reason we too shall drop by the way side.... Maybe we can be eemembered for Helping to Keep'em On-the-Road.

 

[Alpine 1789]

Who else has owned their sunbeams twenty years or longer? My series 4 has been in the family for 50+ years. let's hear from other long time owners .

Bought mine June 23, 1979. It was the PO's parts car that came with the rust bucket he was driving. Total cost, including hard top, was $600. I ultimately traded the rust bucket for a set of new shocks.

 

[DanR]

I bought my first, a 1965 SIV St OD color code 70 in 1980 from a friend (Kirby) who bought it (New) in England.

He had bought another '65 SIV Alpine GT with the BW35 for parts with intentions of restoring. I gave $1000.00 for the ST in original condition with everything including the Hardtop and He threw-in the GT. I almost did not bring it home because of so much rust.

DanR

 

[65beam]

20th

I miss Nick O'd too! Loved having his "added comments "

DanR

P.S. And as we all perhaps one day get too old to drive our cars for various reason we too shall drop by the way side.... Maybe we can be eemembered for Helping to Keep'em On-the-Road.

Dan,
Their are owners with problems that prevent making long drives in an Alpine almost impossible. Those problems don't prevent the owners from making trips in a much easier riding vehicle with a Sunbeam hauler in tow. The wife's back problems may dictate a larger tow vehicle in the future.

 

[alpine_64]

Michael,
you do know that several no longer own Sunbeams and others no longer have any interest in cars ? Jobs, families and life get in the way. That sometimes includes kids, mini vans, student loans and a thing called a mortgage. Life moves on and money goes towards things other than cars.

I'm still in touch with them, so know what they are doing.. it's a real shame some don't move on.....
..

 

[65beam]

I'm still in touch with them, so know what they are doing.. it's a real shame some don't move on.....
..

I agree. I've been around since the start and over the years I've seen many come and make a splash and then they sell the car and fade away to never be heard of again. They have other things happening in their lives and life gets in the way. Some just hang around forever. Those are the facts.