1966 Sunbeam Alpine

Before collaborating with Carroll Shelby on the Ford-powered Tiger, Sunbeam brought American-inspired motoring to the roads of Britian with the introduction of the second-generation Alpine in 1959. Taking design cues from '50s-era Thunderbirds and Studebakers, the Alpine was successful on both the track and the screen, having been driven in-period by such celebrities as Ken Miles and James Bond. By the time Series V examples were rolling off the production line in 1965, several changes had been made, including the introduction of front quarter windows, a larger-displacement four-cylinder powerplant, and a completely redesigned rear end. Identifiable by its lower-profile tail fins, this later styling would end up being adapted and carried over onto the hopped-up Tiger.

Finished in red over a black interior and black soft top, this 1966 Sunbeam Alpine Series V is powered by a numbers-matching 1,725cc inline-four motor fed by dual Zenith-Stromberg carburetors and mated to a full-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission. Stopping power is provided by front disc brakes and rear drums, housed inside 13-inch steel wheels that are accented with chrome hubcaps and trim rings.