I'm trying to ID a '68 Rootes engine

[old grumpy]

curse Chrysler

It is difficult to understand how the company people where thinking when they renamed the Rapier/Arrow to Alpine and on top of that put a less powerful engine in it.

 

[c.williams.aia]

68 Alpine Coupe (N. America)

Interesting discussion. I'm looking for a graphic of the car, so far I haven't come up with one. Can anyone post a shot? 65beam do you have this one?

Thank you!

 

[65beam]

rootes engine

to the person wanting to see a photo of the fastbacks,go into the photos for invasion 8. look at photos # 28,29,42 & 56 . those are photos of my car.

 

[c.williams.aia]

65beam:
I'm not sure how to access your pictures. How do I find them?

 

[RootesRooter]

It is difficult to understand how the company people where thinking when they renamed the Rapier/Arrow to Alpine and on top of that put a less powerful engine in it.

The GT model of the fastback Alpine (with twin Strombergs) was rated only about 5hp less than the Series V, but I vaguely recall the claimed 0-60 times were about the same, maybe due to the fastback's more streamlined design.

The Alpine Coupe was the slowpoke. The single-carbed 1725 was rated at about 70hp. Stripped of about 200lbs of bells and whistles (it weighed slightly less than the two-seater Series Alpines), it was good for economy and cheaper off the showroom floor, but probably no quicker than the 1953-55 Alpine.

I'm sure Chrysler thought Alpine was a lot more marketable name than Rapier in the States and its too bad they slapped the name on what is basically a family touring car. But hey, there are still some long-time "Mark" Alpine owners around who don't consider Series cars to be "real" Alpines either.

 

[sunbeammadd]

At least the Arrow Alpine had two doors. The fourth generation Alpine had five!

I'm sure Chrysler thought Alpine was a lot more marketable name than Rapier in the States and its too bad they slapped the name on what is basically a family touring car. But hey, there are still some long-time "Mark" Alpine owners around who don't consider Series cars to be "real" Alpines either.