WHAT YEAR/SERIES did the alpine change from the round front signal lights and tall fins?

[Barry]

Fonz, With Alpine Series, there is no actual "year" associated with the specific model. The only year associated with it is what your local title bureau assigns to it, usually the year it was first titled. Quite unlike US auto models where you can distinguish a 57 Chevy from a 58 and a 59, etc., the Series V, for example, was produced from Aug 1965 thru Jan 1968. But there is no such thing as a '65 Sunbeam Alpine or 68 Sunbeam Alpine. Your title may say so, but any such info is not useful in identifying parts, asking questions, or solving problems. All Series V produced over that 2+ year span were pretty much identical with minor changes identified specifically by VIN number. I cannot imagine any value in using the year noted on the title in any discussions, parts search, or valuations. In fact, using that year designation will most likely lead to confusion and likely errors. Just FYI, I have a couple of Sunbeam Alpine sales brochures and they have absolutely no reference to any year. In fact the Series V brochures do not even mention Series V, just "New" "Sunbeam Alpine" "now with 1725 engine". But they all came with badge plates that says "Series V".

Tom

Tom,

Nice explanation, but there is a whole lot of not listening going on.

 

[Tom H]

Duh! Of course! Thanks Michael. Interesting that I can find no "Series V" reference on any of the sales brochures. Cannot find any reference to Series V in the WSM, either. But the "Owner's Handbook" does say "Series V " on the cover. I guess they were focused on promoting the 1725 engine.

 

[Tom H]

e. It's a a '64 sunbeam ALGER. LOL

Fonz, it's your car and you can call it whatever you want. But if you ever need a taillight lens and you post in the "Wanted" section here that you needed a lens for a "64 Alpine", you'd best include a photo, lest everyone assumes your car is a Series IV, since all Alpines built in 64 were Series IV , without fins. And upon seeing the photo some might post a reply that it's not a 64, not a Series IV, but it's a Series 3 , built in 1963.

Tom

 

[alpine_64]

Fonz, it's your car and you can call it whatever you want. But if you ever need a taillight lens and you post in the "Wanted" section here that you needed a lens for a "64 Alpine", you'd best include a photo, lest everyone assumes your car is a Series IV, since all Alpines built in 64 were Series IV , without fins. And upon seeing the photo some might post a reply that it's not a 64, not a Series IV, but it's a Series 3 , built in 1963.

Tom

It's like your seeing the future