26 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

Having just sold my 1990 Cooper 1330 historic rally car, I am being tempted to look at buying a Mk.5 Sunbeam Alpine. It is rarer than an MGB with similar performance, especially if one fits twin 40 DCOE Webers or a single 32/36 DGAS Weber, flows the alloy head and increases the CR to around 10:1.

With over-drive on 3rd and 4th it would be a great touring car in Summer and a lot better on motorways than the Minis.

I have a bid in on eBay which closes this evening, so we shall see.

[KTS]

go for it !

[panky]

Definitely, great looking cars and the Rootes 1725 is strong and goes well - the Rapier engine in my Commer camper pulls the old bus along very nicely   And if you can find and fit a Holbay engine   

[PoolGuy]

Great cars, a couple of my friends have them. Never a dull moment with an Alpine.

[mpialan]

Definitely go for it!

[Chris1275gt]

Another go for it!

[GT Jimmy]

Hell yeah!!

[panky]

Did you get it?

[Cooperman]

Yes, I won it. It didn't reach the reserve, but I called the guy and agreed to pay what was £25 over my top limit. £7800 for a Mk5 is a good price. I guess it might need a small amount of welding around one of the rear spring hangers, but not much else.

It has the 32/36 Weber conversion and I will gas-flow the head and skim it to increase the CR over the winter. That should up the power to around 108 bhp, up from c.93 bhp.

The paintwork looks great in bright red, so it will match my '64 'S'. I've just seen a set of 5.5 x 13 Minilites on ebay with new tyres, so I might get them if they haven't gone.

Picking it up with my trailer on Monday - whoopee!  I will post a photo or two when I have it. I will be 85 in 6 weeks - am I too old for a sports car  .

 

Now I have to put another coat of paint on my Grandson's MG Midget as it's drier today, so less humid.

[yeti21586]

Look forward to seeing some pics, when do you collect it?

[Rubbershorts]

Looking forward to the pictures, and what's this too old nonsense? No such thing, unless you're planning on wearing hot-pants to pick it up 

[stuart bowes]

in which case, definitely pics required

[Cooperman]

Maybe I should grow my hair to shoulder length and wear a 3-piece suit with flared trousers, just like I did in 1968!

Oh, maybe not, it would not be a pretty sight!

[Designer]

Hi Cooperman,

 

Congratulations on your new toy. I am very jealous.    

 

Paddy

[Cooperman]

Struggling to post images now,

If anyone wants to do this for me, PM me with your email and I can email some pics to you for uploading.

Too much technology for an old man.

 

Finished the final painting on Grandson's (Cooperkid) 1979 MG Midget in Willow Green (Mini Van colour). Once that is flatted and polished I can move the Alpine into the workshop.

 

I had a general look at the Alpine and it has two small rust blisters, a tacho which doesn't give a steady reading and which reads zero when the headlights are switched. I suspect the tacho needs a rebuild (Speedy Cables) and some checks of the wiring, maybe an earth issue somewhere. I discovered the engine was rebuilt in 2019 and it's only done just over 1200 miles since then. I will get a new set of 5.5 x 13 Minilite wheels and Yoko tyres  (185/70x13). It has all new dampers, brakes, engine oil, gearbox/overdrive oil. The colour is Monza red, which is not a Rootes colour and I have found reference to 5 different 'Monza Red' colours, so I'll have to get it matched.

 

It sure makes a change from Minis, but I do have a complete engine build for a 1293 Mini to do for a good friend. 

 

I thought I had retired!