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Series IV Automatic
- Thread starter atallamcs
- Start date
tony perrett
Gold Level Sponsor
Our car is automatic (1964 GT FMG459B). I remember reading that only 87 automatics were made but I find that figure difficult to believe.
Bill
I do not know for sure how many were produced, but not many. I restored one a few years back. I replaced the stock engine with a Series V 1725 and it performed very well. The BW automatic has gotten a lot of negative comments over the years, but I found it to be reliable and enjoyable to drive. The car is now in Winnipeg.
Chuck Ingram
Donation Time
Bill
I can attest to Paul's car being here in Winnipeg.Over the last 2 years I have helped the new owner out on all the little things he needed to know or advise him with the little problems that somehow we all go through.The automatic is flawless in performance
H One-Twenty
Donation Time
Bill,
My SIV (bought in Redding, CA) started life as an auto, but now has a 1725 + od. Incidentally, the original driveshaft didn't need modification to fit the od box.
My SIV (bought in Redding, CA) started life as an auto, but now has a 1725 + od. Incidentally, the original driveshaft didn't need modification to fit the od box.
John Boggis, owner of the 8,500 original mile Series IV Automatic (Balmoral Grey with Azure Blue interior) over in the UK, claims 87. Beautiful car and well-preserved. I questioned him about that number and I believe he claimed documentation from the Rootes Archive Centre.
Tony, could that be right? It does seem awfully low to me. Maybe that's the number they built just in 1964?
RootesRooter
Donation Time
87 sounds low at first, but I've personally only come across two in the Seattle area, where we've always had lots of Alpines, in 34 years of being active in the local Sunbeam club, By comparison, I've found three Harrington LeMans (total production approx 250).
Ken Ellis
Donation Time
I knew of one in Columbus, OH that sold via ebay (I think) last spring or summer. I suppose I could datamine the registry...
A quick scan shows about 16 or so with BW, but half the entries are without any codes. There are probably a few more entries
that indicate "Automatic" over in the right column. Perhaps someone could pop open a can of statistics on the numbers...
Total production vs. what we have listed in our registry, "our" listed automatics vs. total listings, etc.
A quick scan shows about 16 or so with BW, but half the entries are without any codes. There are probably a few more entries
that indicate "Automatic" over in the right column. Perhaps someone could pop open a can of statistics on the numbers...
Total production vs. what we have listed in our registry, "our" listed automatics vs. total listings, etc.
tony perrett
Gold Level Sponsor
I have just made another Web search and have found some Production Figures on classicsunbeam.com Auto Parts Catalog site. They give the automatic production as 4,470 between 01/64 and 09/65 compared to 7,936 manuals. So the mystery continues.
RootesRich
Donation Time
I was looking in McGovern's book last night and couldn't find a production number, but did find where he mentioned the autos were well produced in numbers. I wouldn't consider 87 as well produced.
Maybe only 87 were built in 1964 with the Balmoral Grey / Azure Blue combination. The American car manufacturers had that kind of data and today's restorers love it, but I don't believe the British manufacturers kept those kind of detailed records.
Where's Boggis when you need him!?!?
RootesRich
Donation Time
Good point. According to McGovern, the auto SIV was developed for the US market.
DanR
Diamond Level Sponsor
I've got one also!!
940 0766 GT BW LRX Color Code 39
With Engine Markings "H" "R" "3" 1980 898 "D" 9-11-64
Sorry to say I purchased it as a spare for one of my other cars.
It was complete except for one caliper that had been removed to be placed on another car.
The BW Automatic transmission was also replaced with an OD.
I've heard much about the BW being a bad choice of Transmission! I have no experience with it but am interested in perhaps going back to it if and when I get through with my current restoration project ('67 SV 1725).
Several of our members have posted info on the BW in the recent past and find much interest in it myself.
940 0766 GT BW LRX Color Code 39
With Engine Markings "H" "R" "3" 1980 898 "D" 9-11-64
Sorry to say I purchased it as a spare for one of my other cars.
It was complete except for one caliper that had been removed to be placed on another car.
The BW Automatic transmission was also replaced with an OD.
I've heard much about the BW being a bad choice of Transmission! I have no experience with it but am interested in perhaps going back to it if and when I get through with my current restoration project ('67 SV 1725).
Several of our members have posted info on the BW in the recent past and find much interest in it myself.
RootesRooter
Donation Time
Don't know why anyone would badmouth the BW 35. It was used in a dozen different makes. Yes, Seres IV's w/auto were a bit pokey. (I think the Sunbeam Talbot 90's had comparable 0-60 times.) Might be that the 1592 just didn't have a lot of torque to convert.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg-Warner_35_transmission
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg-Warner_35_transmission