Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine Mk IIa, 1953

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De Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine is based upon the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Mk II which saw the light of day in the year 1950. The car was relatively heavy but they were very robust. The design was modern those days, the car featured independent front suspension and a cylinder head with overhead valves (OHV). The four cylinder engine was a derivate of the contemporary Humber Hawk power plant. De Sunbeam-Talbot 90 and the later 'Alpine' competed in rally competition successfully during the 1950'ies.  Stirling Moss and John Cutts won the Coupe des Alpes (Alpine Rally) in the years 1952 and 1953 driving this car. The factory competed with six cars.
What Stirling Moss said about Sunbeam Alpine; "This car was so tough it would survive almost anything and get through; though modest in performance. The car handled well and would take any amount of punishment to reach the finish. We had to rely on old fashioned torque rather than high revving power. The fact is that you can keep the car rolling along at high speed, maintaining momentum and using the handling to save the brakes. The car was very heavy, but well balanced. It would deliver anything you asked of it except sparkling performance".

De Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine Mk IIa was built in the years 1953 and 1954. The Mk IIa was succeeded by the Mk III. the Mk III featured standard overdrive and different side screens. The Mk III was built until 1955. A total of 3000 Alpine Mk IIa/ Mk III cars have been built.  

Technical data

Four cylinder in-line engine
cylinder capacity: 2267 cc.
carburettor(s): Stromberg
capacity: 80 bhp. at 4100 rpm.
top-speed: 150 km/h. - 94 mph.
gearbox: 4-speed, manual. Floor shift (modification)
brakes: hydraulic drum brakes all round
weight: 1320 kg.

Information

Colour green metallic with a beige interior, black soft top and side screens. This Alpine has been modified on some point to improve safety and comfort. The world famous driver Stirling Moss was successful with the Sunbeam Alpine in the Alpine Rally (read more at the top of this page). Just like the Sunbeam works rally cars this Alpine has been modified with floor shift (originally column shift).


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