1966 Sunbeam Alpine SV - Will it Run?

Today I try to start a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine SV that has sat for over 20 years.
Don't forget to visit my website for more updates: www.thisweekwithcars.com
This Week With Cars - Episode 0172
#ClassicCars #Sunbeam #BarnFind

[@stevefamfive]

It’s always enjoyable watching you work. As many have stated your style is much more instructive than most KZbin auto channels. If the Alpine can fit in your schedule, then go for it. It should be good for a number of episodes with no need for you to rush it’s completion. Most of us subscribers like seeing the process as much as viewing the end results.

[@davidjones332]

The body looks rough, but that underframe looks quite solid. It's certainly not beyond saving.

[@datasailor8132]

Heck yes, more Alpines and Tigers

[@kimchipig]

I wonder how many Tigers started out as Alpines? Just like I wonder how many GTOs started out as a LeMans?

[@stephenmynott5173]

I remember filling Sunbeam Alpines with Petrol when I was a 15 years old in 1966 working on Sundays at Bourne Bridge Garage on the A11 road near Abington Cambridge England. I always wanted one then although I was too young to hold a driving licence . I remember the mark V with the twin Strombergs the Aluminium Rocker Cover and 1725 Rootes Group engine they looked very smart. It would be great to see this car up and running again. The 1725 engine was used in quite a few Rootes Group cars namely Singers Vouge Hillman Hunter Sunbeam Rapier around this time but was probably in a less state of tune than the Alpine unit.

[@johnclayden1670]

Ah yes, I remember Bourne Bridge well passing it every morning from home in Saffron Walden to work in Cambridge around the same time. A bit later I had one of those 1725 engines, in a Hunter GLS with Holbay tuning - two twin-choke Webers IIRW: for a 4 door saloon of the time it was quick, below 10 seconds to 60 mph. Yes, that Alpine would be interesting to watch in the rebuild. The underpinning looks good and sound and although the engine had a couple of nasty rattles before the oil circulated it was probably good enough.

[@isickofit]

My father worked for Maloney & Rhodes, Cambridge then, in car sales and with the race team at weekends.

[@johnburns4017]

@@johnclayden1670 The 1500cc and 1725cc Rootes engines were reliable and robust.

[@johnclayden1670]

@@johnburns4017 Indeed they were. Economical too, even in H120 form.

[@johnburns4017]

@@johnclayden1670 The Holby H120 produced around 108HP which was excellent for the 1960s, using a 1950s Audax engine. The 1500cc and 1725cc engines were the same just some fiddling with piston height and head I believe. They are the Audax engines developed in the mid 1950s. The _Hunter_ (Arrow) bodies had the engine inclined slightly to one side for a lower bonnet line. I am not sure if the Alpine engines were inclined. The 1500cc 1970 Avenger engine was the same outline as the Audax engines using pushrods and OHV, when all other European manufacturers were going to OVC and composite timing belts to make then engines lighter giving more power. Nothing was interchangeable between the two engines. The Avenger engine had superior breathing but that was about it. It seemed pointless developing such an engine which did not advance seriously previous engines. Chrysler bought out Rootes in 1967 - what a disaster. The Americans did not understand OHC engines - I believe they scuppered their developments, hence the Avenger 1500cc pushrod job being similar to the Audax. Chrysler dropped the superb three cylinder, 3,000cc opposed piston two-stroke truck diesel engine after 18 years of production, as they never understood it. The engine with the wonderful noise. That set the truck division back, being forced to fit Chrysler designed antiquated, and thirsty, four-stroke USA derived engines. A larger four cylinder opposed piston engine was ready for production after successful testing. Chrysler dropped it ordering all prototypes destroyed. The engineers hid few of them.

[@LuisReyes-mf2ip]

Oh man yea....keep working on this baby. I had one back in the late 80's - loved it.

[@gryfandjane]

I’d love to see you put that Alpine back on the road! I’m an MG owner myself, but have long admired the Sunbeam line, and always look forward to seeing the Alpines and Tigers at our annual All-British show. Ditto for the basket-case Alpine. That’s not too much to ask, is it? ;-)

[@basilioserrano1828]

Seems like a car worthy of restoration to a "driver" status .

[@scooterbob4432]

I had an old sky blue Sunbeam Alpine while living in the Philippines in the mid 70s. It was a nice solid roadster but I had to sell it. I had to order spares thru Hong Kong and were too expensive.

[@johnburns4017]

Do you get those tired jokes from Americans about Lucas Prince of Darkness from people who have never driven a car with Lucas electrics?

[@johnburns4017]

@@scooterbob4432 The parts couldn't have been that expensive to need to sell the car. Normal expendable parts like brake pads, filters etc would not brake you. They were very reliable cars only needing normal expendable servicing parts.

[@scooterbob4432]

@@johnburns4017 I also had a Vauxhall Viva and parts were available then as there was a dealership in the Philippines but not the Sunbeam sportscar. Tax for sportscars, considered luxury items, were 50% more than regular car parts. Maybe I would not have parts problem if I live in England or Australia. Thanks anyway, John.

[@graemelliott3942]

Nice work Steve! Get her running and driving!

[@wingdwolf56]

I would definitely like to see more in this! Get it semi road worthy!

[@bobmanzi7712]

yes more please i love all you do ,thanks Steve

[@BrucetheK]

I would love to see this car restored but then, I'm a little biased. I once owned a '67 Series V in the same Holly Green. When I bought it (in the mid '70s), someone had bodged it up with a single Zenith carb and accelerator linkage made of (I kid you not) plumbers' tape! The throttle stuck on the drive back from buying it. It was a real death-trap. I vowed to restore it to the stock twin Strombergs and I did. I also rebuilt the engine and had it returned to the stock paint color (from a very '70s dark metallic brown). I owned it for about 8 years. One of my all-time favorite cars! I thought the build quality was excellent. I didn't need a V-8 but I often fantasized about putting a Ford 2.3 liter OHC and 5-speed in it. With a 4-speed, it was a little busy at freeway speeds but a joy to toss about on a two-lane road.

[@neilstern1694]

When I was into small engine cars my mom loved these cars, she loved to clean out the carbon in my dad's jag. On the high way Love you mom.

[@jamesnorwood4084]

1966 i was a junior in high school and the neighbor across the street had this identical car, same color; British racing green. Never thought i'd see it again. Also had a TR-5. Neighbor on the opposite side had an early Porsche. Two friends had MGA's. Austin Healey 3000's a common site around town. Annandale/ Fairfax Va. Those were the days. 'O and best friend had an Austin Healey Sprite. Loved those British cars of that era.

[@streetwise10-73]

I rstored two Triumph Spitfires, 66' and a 67...My buddy that lives two blocks away has a Tiger with the 289. I have made at least five offers for him to sell it to me. he won't budge, but if I had it I would't sell it either.

[@57tagger]

I would really like to see you restore this. Always thought they were one of the best looking cars when I was young. Yeah, I'm that old, lol.

[@alangovan1852]

Worked on them as a lad during my apprenticeship, bring it back to life and restore it.

[@kevingayadeen7253]

Very nice to see you've got it started so the thing is to see it through until finished. Without a doubt it has potential and you're into it already so go ahead.

[@ganormand]

great oill pressure. thank you for keeping these great cars on the road. I had a '67 for 12 years ..until a tree fell on it. What fun!!

[@barrydavidgaudry4050]

Yes please do recommission the Alpine. These were fine looking cars and the more saved the better. Also a bit different from the usual MGs and Triiumphs

[@Ouch.]

As a native of the UK I'm always so surprised how well these cars hold up in the USA. On our rainy little island the old cars very quickly turn to rust. But this Alpine is well worth saving. I'd love to see it back in it's natural environment (The open road!). Best wishes from a rainy Essex

[@erikandersen2477]

Digging into the DIY wheels could be interesting 🙂

[@carlslater8843]

Would love to see this beut back on the road! Not enough sunbeam content online anyway!😂 lovely work!

[@Spike9803]

Nice! Saving a cool British sports car; ya gotta love that!

[@dennisbranam3847]

I'd like to see some time lapse restoration projects. It's always interesting to see a restoration in a 20-30 minute video. I also like your systematic approach to diagnosing troubles on these cars. I've been around British cars fo over 50 years, and I always seem to learn something from your videos.

[@MrDunky48]

His knowledge is simply remarkable. Should get a medal for some of the most interesting videos on here. So much of it on some of this car stuff is simply blather, to get the subscribers

[@artblauvelt7140]

I owned a 67 Sunbeam Alpine in college, I traded it for a big aquarium, bad decision…. Then I got into MGBs, owned a 67 MGB, 74 1/2 MGB and then 1953 MGTD in a box (never reassembled). Great show, please rebuild the little beauty. They deserve to be driven. Art, Montesano, WA

[@johnburns4017]

In a box?

[@boneshaker6819]

I had an Alpine MkIII back in the 1960s. Mine had reclining seats which made it possible to sate my youthful lust on more than one occasion. Happy days!!

[@Baddad36]

I assume he did put oil in it. Didn't he? Loved how he cleaned the corroded valves by flooring it! Brilliant. What a fantastic find. Subscribed. Please restore it. It deserves it.

[@tedloughrey6068]

Like all your vids on the Alpine/Tigers. Keep them coming.

[@tedloughrey6068]

I think it would be a great project and would love to see you tackle it. Love the 1725 Alpine.

[@davehevner8219]

Great video…..as usual. Your step by step process is excellent. You might consider rolling over the Sunbeam to someone willing to put the time into restoring it since you have other Sunbeam projects going. I’ve always thought spreading the Love builds a community of classic lovers .

[@peternash6206]

A solid understated restoration would be spot on - no flash, no glitz just a straight honest rebuild. I enjoy the channel from the Balearic Islands in The Mediterranean.

[@howardgrover8908]

I have a 64 Alpine that I saved from the scrapyard. I have a 72 Ranger, a Rambler, a Bronco and 4 Triumph chops to finish before I get to working on it.

[@BackwardFinesse]

A house sharer with me in the late 60s in Toronto called Dave Minty had a series 5 Alpine in white. We unkindly called it a “girlie” car but Dave shrugged off the criticism. Now I think they were really stylish and more practical than the MGB. A restoration series on this car would be fascinating. Not a trailer queen please - just a running car with patina.

[@awesomeguy8392]

Seems like a challenge Steve, I think you're up to it! Would love to see you make her run decent

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Just like you did with the various Sprites, it would be great to see the complete process from initial start to a car that runs and looks presentable on the road.

[@kevinbrucestevens7747]

Keep up the great work!

[@mslindadoll]

Totally intrigued....and would like to see the process. Yes, please....if it's not too much trouble.

[@bohicajohnson7203]

My dad took me to Steele's Garage to look at these. Nice looking in the showroom.

[@brentkasl6510]

Well done Steve, keep those Sunbeams on the road 👍

[@tedloughrey6068]

Love the 1725, would be great to see it back on the road running.

[@ihopetowin]

This is really nitty-gritty stuff. Excellent vid.

[@anthonybarbat1520]

Would be great to see the alpine back on the road! Keep up the good work

[@stevevisek7422]

Unless you have a special attachment to this one I'd suggest you get it starting and stopping, wash it and send it down the road. Good starting place for a restoration.

[@bobfultz6113]

Keep on going with the sunbeam very interesting cars not a lot of people know of them I had an employer back in the eighties that had two great little cars

[@bobspeller2225]

This looks like is well worth the effort to restore it. Good luck Bob

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

That’s been a sweet car at some time, you need to go through it and get it driving again just like the barn Sprites. Glad to hear other Sunbeams are getting attention, it’s a bit sad to see all the cars and parts just waiting to get moving somehow.

[@timgarner6768]

Great vid....you are so thorough and deliberate in your explanations, Steve. I appreciate it. Yes, continue working on this Alpine.

[@geion54]

Well worth doing up.

[@milliewilkie1969]

love your chanel and content as Bristish classic car owners in UK its nice to see cars get restored

[@sujpuj]

Moreee alpines videos like this cause its more rarer to find about fixing sunbeam alpines

[@thomashagford802]

Remember it is a positive ground

[@richardbooth4573]

Alpines, Triumphs, MGs, Austins, and Morris.

[@kennethswayne874]

I would very much like to see it back on the road.

[@poppydogz]

Yes Steve more Sunbeam video's, cheers..

[@loganjohnson3589]

those were a collaboration between ford and Sunbeam I had one of those when i was a teenager it was a lot of fun .

[@davidsnyder2000]

That’s so cool how you systematically got each problem identified and fixed. You make it look easy lol. Liked and subscribed 👍 I enjoy seeing you fix the issues with the car👍🙂

[@bobstride6838]

Steve, if you decided to get this car back on the road i would certainly appreciate it and i would love to watch you doing it!

[@glinleyt]

My new favorite channel! Always watch to the end of each and every video...

[@brianandrews7099]

I would love to someday own one of the early “finned” Alpines!

[@giannirocco7492]

At first glance I thought it might have been my old Sunbeam Tiger!Then I noticed that chrome strip down the side wasn't there,THEN I read the headline...an Alpine!Lesson learned!Never assume!!!

[@patrickmurawski3549]

My older brother had a tiger in the 1960s. I really enjoy seeing you put the Alpine back on the road in a detailed series.

[@colin6769]

I too would love to see more of this project. Good luck with it and your videos are very enjoyable.

[@htimsid]

They're so pretty and just that little bit different from MG, Austin-Healey, Triumph etc. so it would be great to see it repaired!

[@micheltebraake7915]

It always looks so simple when you bring a car back to life.

[@TheFurriestOne]

That rusty old starter being the one that works, I love that. XD Ain't that often the way of used parts? The crusty ones are like that because they worked well for a long time, and may or may not still function. While the shiny parts are either nearly NOS or were removed because they failed or were broken before they had a chance to get old and crusty. That's one reason I like to repair, reuse, and/or refurbish as many old parts as I can, they've earned the TLC! Even if they're too far gone, it's fun to take them apart to find out how they were made and how the internal mechanisms worked. No wonder I love watching your videos, eh? Great stuff! You even share tips and tricks you've learned. I'd love to at least see those welded wheels checked on the balancer!

[@beastscooter]

Really good vid! Great lesson in the basics of getting an engine running: compression, electric, fuel. Easy ti understand and see. Nice job on cool old Alpine.

[@johndavey72]

Hi Steve . You make me chuckle ! You get it started and it sounds like a bag of nails . Most would call it quits but you keep going ! Brilliant ! And yes you must do an Alpine but with a 260 or 289 🤣🤣 . Thanks Steve . Always good to watch you having fun !

[@manuelstarr3602]

Very enjoyable..(I love it when a plan comes together). About not filming the start.. you did a sterling job alone without anymore work. Whether or not to go on with it.. there are only so many hours in a day.. maybe you should take on an apprentice. Cheers 🥂

[@mchavez56]

this one or another sunbeam, it's fun to watch someone else bust knuckles!

[@pclayton5063]

I bought a nice little 1967 Sunbeam Alpine back in the early 1970's for $500. Nice running car until I ran it too hard against a guy in a beetle one night and it then had a miss. Turned out to be a valve job to fix but really enjoyed that car even in Arizona where it was damn hot most of the time (no AC).

[@DarkFlamage]

Get Mr. Green 'Beam going! Yes, Please do. 🤣🤣🤣

[@billverdon2085]

I always look forward to your videos and the Alpine is one of my favourite cars along with the Sprites. I hope you continue with videos on the Alpines

[@andrewbaird509]

Love your videos Steve, keep them coming 👍

[@jimcrichton8028]

Love to see an abandoned car brought back to life. So interesting to see what parts can or not be repaired.

[@robertbusby1380]

Go for the rebuild. I believe many people would love the result...

[@otiscanupp1164]

I owned a Sun Beam Alpine in 1970

[@andydavies9265]

This is REALLY COOL please do more on the car. It’s a beautiful classic

[@2-old-Forthischet]

A couple? You lucky dog!

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Steve :) also keep going this project and fix up too!

[@tomk4199]

I would love to see you continue with this Alpine, or any of the other Sunbeam projects you have going for that matter!

[@nickb5391]

I had loads of Alpines in the 80's, i wish i had kept them, 2 Series 2's, a Series 4 & 4 Series 5's

[@keithhultquist9671]

I was surprised to see the Alpine start after that brief trouble-shoot of the starter solenoid and starter. I have a 63 TR3A I pulled out from under the backyard deck last year. Put it there for protection 26 years ago, when we moved into this ole Virginia farm house. I’ve been been doing home renovation since then. YIKES! TIME FLIES BY BEFORE YA REALIZE IT. The TR3 is now in the new garage, looks better there than under the deck. Have not attempted to try starting it yet. Hope it comes back to life as easy as the Alpine.

[@Harey0407]

I want to see how poorly (or well) those wheels actually balance out.

[@stevejones9788]

I wouldn't trust someone's dodgy welding taking a bend at high speed. Having said that on my first car , a Sunbeam Rapier , the clip in type hub caps were forever coming off going round bends. So I suppose those steel wheels were flexing. Not so much traffic then back in the 1970s so I was always able to stop and pick them up and put them back on.

[@strokenumber3]

Keep going, let's see it back as a daily use car

[@thomasgatrell2519]

good job my friend, I hope u restore this car, it would be fantastic. at the moment sounds like its running on 3 plus!..but I guess with the valve seats reground and a new set of plugs this car will return the effort invested no problem . the 1725 unit ids a great engine , the same as my ex number sceptre mk11 which was a 66 model. Great engines with overdrive on the transition. I hope you make a project out of this one I would be interested to follow. good luck to you, Tom from the UK.

[@lloydgreen4091]

Thanks Steve----You Tube could use a Little More Sunbeam how-to content. Good tip on starter removal. Hope to add a Sunbeam & Carmen Ghia to my Sprite & Midget group someday.

[@thirdcargarage2951]

Stay on it. Love the alpines

[@simms4lyfe]

Great video

[@CurtisTarwater]

LMHO - all those mud dobber nests start puking out the tailpipe when you started it up! 😂

[@mickspencer4171]

Definitely more on this Alpine Steve.

[@idunnoanymore2870]

Pls more sunbeam!!

[@ternwatcher22]

No comments on the Bud Light bottle? C'mon man!

[@DanielVictors]

id love to see more sunbeam videos!

[@_Brad_D]

My parents had a 1964 Series iv Alpine when I was a kid. I would love to see this one restored.

[@moodiblues2]

My first car was a 1966 British Racing Green Sunbeam Alpine. Mine had a 1755 motor and it was purchased in England by my folks who drove it around Europe. Darn it can’t be mine as mine didn’t have a clock. But nearly all else is the same. I had an alternator and strombergs. I love to get a totally restored Alpine. Alas, there are very few around.

[@geoffmcconville5792]

Go for it!

[@MrPropanePete]

That car is definitely worth restoring. You have a lot of Sunbeam parts in your shed so parts shouldn't be a problem. Like most restorations it's nearly always the bodywork and interior where all the time and effort (and money) goes but this body looks quite reasonable from what can be seen in the video. I worked on a couple of Alpines in the late 60's, early 70's (as a mechanic on customer cars here in Australia) but haven't seen wheels like that before, pretty sure they all had wire wheels from memory.

[@fishaussie9112]

Great work Patch the rust and match the paint and call it good

[@paulhall170]

Nice work, Steve! I'd like to see the old girl restored too, ditch those horrible wheels though..

[@jamesmcglinchey2295]

It would be great to see this Alpine back on the road. I’d enjoy watching you work on the right side rocker panel.

[@alastairwatson3201]

It’d be good to see you do a car - any car, really - from start to finish. The closest I’ve seen you do to that so far was your Discovery.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

I have several videos like that. Here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYbMmXd4bJZmp9k and another: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpvaoJ-hZbSBg5o