1953 Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Mk1 Roadster
Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly
The Amelia Island Auction
9 Mar 2017, 13:00 EST
Fernandina Beach Golf Club
Chassis no. A3013164
Engine no. A301 3731LRX
2,267cc OHV In-line 4-Cylinder Engine
1 Stromberg Down-draft Carburetor
80 bhp at 4,200 rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear axle with Leaf Springs
Four-wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Fully restored by a marque expert
*800 miles since completion
*Show condition
*Fitted with a Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmission
*Supplied with its correct spare, jack, tools, and manuals
THE SUNBEAM TALBOT
The rarely-seen Sunbeam Talbot Mk. 1 Alpine roadster was produced for just two years - 1953 and 1954 - and in quite small quantities. Only 1582 were hand-built by the old London firm of Thrupp and Maberly – coachbuilders by appointment to Queen Victoria – almost all for export. About a thousand were shipped to North America. A small fraction of the total production is known to survive; perhaps less than 200 examples.
Derived from the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 sedan, this open two-seater was first conceived as a rally special by a British Sunbeam-Talbot dealer, and used as its basis a 1952 Sunbeam Talbot convertible coupé. Unveiled in early 1953, its model name was chosen to celebrate the company's successes in the difficult winter-time Alpine Rallies of the early 1950s. This design achieved immediate success, winning a Coupe des Alpes trophy in the 1953 event with London theater director Shiela van Damm and navigator Anne Hall, the duo completing the event without any penalties. The two women also were awarded the Coupe des Dames trophy. Famed drivers Stirling Moss and John Fitch also rallied successfully in Sunbeam Talbot Alpines.
The rear-wheel-drive Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Mk.1 was hand-built on a semi-unitary steel body and chassis with independent front suspension and a live rear axle. The proprietary 2.2-liter OHV in-line four-cylinder engine enjoyed a slightly raised compression ratio and fed a four-speed manual gearbox with synchronization on the top three cogs. The gearshift was on the steering column. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted all around. The Alpine was a true roadster, lacking wind-up side glass and outside door handles. The windshield could also be removed, but the "disappearing" canvas top was fairly weather-tight with side-curtains in place. Performance-wise, the standard Alpine could approach 100 mph, and in testing over Belgium's Jabbeke highway, a race-prepped works Alpine saw 119 mph, only 1 mph slower than a new Triumph TR2 factory racer fitted with a wind-cheating bellypan.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The earliest history of this very handsome Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Mk.1 is unknown, but the consignor states that it has been completely restored both cosmetically and mechanically by noted American enthusiast David Wittmer, who is said to have previously restored half-a-dozen other examples prior to this one. Wittmer made an important upgrade to this car, that being the installation of a Tremec five-speed, fully-synchronized gearbox, thus eliminating the original's often-balky non-synchro first gear and column shift, and adding the very useful overdrive fifth. It retains its original heater, which was a factory option.
Certainly one of the most attractive examples extant, this Sunbeam Talbot is presented in its original color scheme of Sapphire Blue over an Ivory leather interior with tan carpeting, a tan canvas folding top, and white-sidewall tires on 16-inch diameter wheels, the same as the Alpine seen in the popular Hollywood film To Catch A Thief starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. It has been driven barely 800 miles since its restoration. In 2015 it completed the Monte Shelton Northwest Classic rally without incident, and received the rally's Concours de Elegance trophy.
It is supplied with its correct spare wheel, jack, tools (including an engine cranking handle), an original owner's manual, as well as its original transmission and column linkage. A reproduction parts manual is included, along with an extensive folio of photographs documenting the restoration.
Suitable for show or simply as a weekend touring car, this Alpine is a rare British jewel certain to turn heads wherever it appears.
Eric Minoff
Specialist - Motor Cars
New York, United States 10022
WorkTel: +1 917 206 1630
Evan Ide
Work Boston, United States
Rupert Banner
Please Note the Buyer's Premium for this auction is as follows:
For MOTOR VEHICLE property the premium is 10% of the
hammer price.
For AUTOMOBILIA and other non-motor
vehicle property, the premium is 25% on the
first $150,000 of the bid price, 20% of the
amount of the bid price above $150,001 up
to and including $3,000,000, and 12% on
any amount exceeding $3,000,000.
Special Car Dealer Notices
, number VI/1087220/1