Description
This 1966 series 5 Sunbeam Alpine GT was purchased by me in September 2023 as I love British 60s styling and have thoroughly enjoyed owning this as our family classic.
This GT version was slightly unusual when I bought it as not only does it have the hardtop (which has been bagged and hung on the garage wall ever since it came off fairly soon after I got it home) but also has an almost completely fitted softtop. All that is required is for it to be fitted at the sides and along the rear. As I only drive on dry sunny days I've never needed the hard or soft top so I never got to completing this part.
The previous owner had the car for 10 years and regularly went to the Isle of Wight every year in it along with other outings and always put an mot on the car every year. It has a very good mot history.
He also made some useful and interesting upgrades/ additions. It has the reliable weber carburettor upgrade, has had the seat valves hardened for unleaded fuel, a wooden dashboard including glovebox, front and rear fog lights and an extra cooling fan all controlled by individual switches located on the front of the centre arm box plus a manual reverse light with switch under the steering column.
Unusually the car also has central locking and an alarm.
What I've done since ownership is mainly in the cabin with a new claret carpet set, remade rear back and base seats, new static seat belts and Bluetooth period radio. I have also remade the enclosure for the hood and a hood tonneau cover to smarted it all up.
The original seats were not in the car but luckily came with it so I have refoamed the drivers base, had the frame repaired and put them both back in which has greatly improved the cockpits originality.
I have not done anything to the bodywork and would describe it as good. There is no rust that I can see but it has been touched up in various places in its last ownership and the colour match for these is not the best.
It was not the greatest starter when I bought it but I've had my mechanic tinker with it and it now starts first time and the choke now operates as it should. It is however running a little rich at the moment.
It warms up well, pulls through all the gears as it should with working overdrive on 3rd & 4th gears. Brakes, which are servo assisted, work well. All dials work correctly although the clock isn't the most accurate!
All 5 tyres are good the 4 on the car have new chrome wheel rims and I've replaced 1 hubcap.
The front windscreen rubber seal is cracked but I didn't feel skilled enough to give that a go. As it doesn't get wet it hasn't been an issue for me.
Lastly there are paint discolouration marks where the rear section of the hardtop sits on the car. The drivers side one is cracked and discoloured and the worst of them but when I made the tonneau cover I did so to cover these and was going to attempt to rub these down etc but haven't had time to do this. Needless to say these are completely covered when the hardtop is in place too.
All in all it's a great car to drive and enjoy or improve as and when you want.
I've tried to be as honest and detailed as I can as I realise how frustrating minimal information is - if you'd like to ask any questions just get in touchA great British car which can be enjoyed as it is for years to come or improved as you enjoy.
I bought this car because I love the styling and it was a comfortable car for my wife and dog to enjoy too. Easy to get in and out of and a really comfortable ride
