One Hundred and Eighty Four
OCTOBER 2009
NO. 184
The
HORN
NATIONAL 2009 SPECIAL
Sunbeam Alpine Owners Club
Editorial
Despite the weather Marie and I
enjoyed the 50th anniversary National
at Warwick. Setting up our new bigger
walk-in tent on the Tuesday was a
lot better than attempting the job
on the Wednesday when it lashed it
down for about 12 hours. Somerset
area managed to gather in Lee &
Lisa’s huge tent during Wednesday
morning but when the rain showed no
sign of stopping some of us braved
the elements and went to Warwick
Castle. I still found some dry times to
barbecue an evening meal and a breakfast for our lot during the 5 days! Oh
and Wednesday night we had a great time at Frankie & Benny’s, the American/
Italian 50s-style restaurant.
On Thursday we went to Coventry Transport Museum. Well what a fiasco! As
the sun had come out we decided to put the top down – big mistake! Marie
went in the Fiesta so I could take my sister in law Stephanie in the Alpine.
We weren’t given any directions so we followed someone who looked like they
knew where they were going. On the outskirts of Coventry the sky went pitch
black and it started to rain so we stopped to put the top up but the car in front
just carried on. A convoy of Alpines had stopped behind us and Jerome had a
Sat Nav so we all followed him and got lost! At this point it was tipping down
with rain and Marie kept ringing to say she was lost as well although despite
having left after us, got to Coventry before us! I couldn’t direct her as I had
no idea where I was going so Steph got out to try and find her. Meanwhile our
convoy just sat where we were, not daring to move for fear of ring roads, one
way streets, bus lanes, roundabouts and traffic lights! Eventually Dave & Dee
managed to decipher the map and get themselves to the museum and Dave
then came back on foot and navigated us all in! It was quite a while before
Marie caught up with us but it was worth all the effort as there was plenty to
interest us in the museum including the Thrust simulator.
Friday was spent buying parts and meeting up with friends and of course
enjoying the barbecue in the evening when the marquee saved us from more
of the wet stuff. Saturday morning meant getting ready for the concours, then
in the afternoon the auction, raffle and prize giving. I was delighted to win,
together with Rod Wallis, the award for the 50th anniversary book and also
that Somerset area again took the Area Shield. Sunday was of course the
AGM and then it was packing up time and at last the sun shone and we had a
very pleasant drive home along the Fosse Way with the top down. Next year
we won’t be as relaxed as Somerset are hosting their first National at Haynes
Motor Museum. See you all there.
Bob
No.184
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October 2009
Contents
Editorial2
THIS ISSUE:
Concours Results
4
National Special 2009. Concours
Winners Pictures
5-12
Results, Pictures from Warwick,
Letters13
National Reflections from Bill Barwell,
Alpine-nes Personified
14
and a National Caption Competition!
National Relections
15
Spares Report
16-20
NEXT ISSUE:
National Caption Competition
21
Cannes 50th Anniversary Special.
National Scenes 22,26,41,44
All material to the editor by no later
From the Technical Forum
24-25 than 30 November 2009.
From the President
29
SAOC Area Meetings
31
COVER PHOTO:
Classifieds32-35
The line-up of Alpines at Coventry
Alpine Regalia
36-37
Transport Museum - Back to our
Chairman’s Chat
38
New Concours Category
40 Rootes!
Around the Areas
42
Silverstone Classic
45-47
BACK PAGE:
Warwick 2009
48-49
SAOC National 2010
Your Committee
51
The Alpine Horn:
Bob Standing (Address on Page 47)
or via Email: [email protected]
All material for publication in the magazine should be provided to the Editor
by post or email one month before publication. Issues of the magazine will
be released bi-monthly at the end of February, April, June, August, October
and December. Typed material, preferably presented in Word format on CD or
memory stick or emailed to [email protected] will greatly facilitate
publication. Please write your name and address on the back of photos so
they can be returned. Any inquiries of a technical nature should be directed
to the Information Officer.
Horn Back Issues Currently Available, Contact: Simon Edwards, Membership
Secretary Tel: 01376 342025
General Enquiries:
By Email: [email protected]
Official Web Site: http://www.sunbeamalpineownersclub.co.uk
THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE ALPINE HORN ARE THOSE
OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE
S.A.O.C. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. WHILST EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO
ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF ALL MATERIAL PUBLISHED, THE S.A.O.C. CANNOT
ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR LOSS RESULTING FROM ANY ERROR, MISSTATEMENT,
INACCURACY OR OMISSION CONTAINED THEREIN.
THE PUBLISHING OF AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT
IMPLY ENDORSEMENT BY S.A.O.C. OF ANY PERSON COMPANY OR PRODUCT
AND NO LIABILITY WILL BE ACCEPTED IN RESPECT THEREOF.
October 2009
-3-
No.184
SAOC 50th Anniversary National 2009
Concours - Warwick School
Class
Winners
Name
Car
Series I
Winner
Eric Benn
PRC 200
Series II
Series III
Series IV
Series V
Harrington
Non Standard
Runner Up
Mark Sayer
YXN 232
Winner
Patrick Malfios
633 ZM 59
Runner Up
Jeremy Horwood
CSU 279
Winner
Marie Loxton
115 VAE
Runner Up
Jon Roberts
CMM 179A
Winner
Ian Hasler
6440 KO
Runner Up
Mick Sullivan
EPM 299C
Winner
John Slade
PYV 871F
Runner Up
Mark Cooper
HRX 133D
Winner
Trevor Rogers
YPN 435
Runner Up
Ian Gass
XDB 25
Winner
Tim Chandler
GXJ 50E
Runner Up
Eddie Zetlein
HMU 307B
Winner
John & Claire
Boggis
BNR 20B
Best Interior
Winner
John & Claire
Boggis
BNR 20B
Best Amateur
Restoration
Winner
Brian McGlade
MRK 883D
Master Class
Winner
Mick Ball
ALM 354B
Runner Up
Cindy Charlton
899 KYD
Overall Winner
Winner
John & Claire
Boggis
BNR 20B
High Mileage
Award
Winner
Graham Howard
2976 KV
Members choice
Winner
John Davies
7004 VC
Best Engine Bay
No.184
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October 2009
Series I winner Eric Benn with PRC 200
Series I runner-up Mark Sayer with YXN 232
Series II winner Patrick Malfios with 633 ZM 59
October 2009
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No.184
Series II runner-up CSU 279 without Jeremy Horwood
Series III winner Marie Loxton with 115 VAE
Series III runner-up Jon Roberts with CMM 179A
No.184
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October 2009
Series IV winner Ian Hasler with 6440 KO
Series IV runner-up Mick Sullivan with EPM 299C
Series V winner John Slade with PYV 871F
October 2009
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No.184
Series V runner-up Mark Cooper with HRX 133D
Harrington winner Trevor Rogers with YPN 435
Harrington runner-up Ian Gass with XDB 25
No.184
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October 2009
Non standard winner Tim Chandler with GXJ 50E
Non standard runner-up Eddie Zetlein with HMU 307B
Best engine bay - John & Claire Boggis with BNR 20B
October 2009
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No.184
Best interior and Overall winner John & Claire Boggis with
BNR 20B
Best amateur restoration - Brian McGlade with MRK 883D
Master Class winner Mick Ball with ALM 354B
No.184
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October 2009
Master Class runner-up Cindy Charlton with 899 KYD
High Mileage Award Graham Howard with 2976 KV
Member’s Choice winner John Davies with 7004 VC
October 2009
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No.184
Thank you to the judges Peter
Wormold & Keith Hampson
Prizes presented by Club Chairman
Steve Werrell
Feel the Bit & Change the Wheel.
Car Part - Mick Sullivan
Humorous (Suspender buckle)
Nick Tuck
Change the wheel & plugs
Trevor Rogers
Furthest travelled
Ziggy & Edgar Amthauer
Switzerland
Area Shield
Bob Standing Area Rep.
Somerset
8 Alpines
Best article in the Horn
Bob Standing & Rod Wallis
50th Anniversary Book
No.184
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October 2009
Letters
I was interested in the article “the
Alpine Prototypes” in the recent
Golden Jubilee 2009 publication.
It stated that there were 12 Alpine
prototypes. I suspect, however, that
there were more than 12. I have a
pre-production, Series V Alpine.
I purchased this car in 1974 from
a fellow who had emigrated from
Birmingham to California. He told
me that he ordered a LHD Alpine
from a dealer in Birmingham and had
the car shipped to the USA when he
left England. The registration plates,
which I still have, are GDU 213D,
which I understand is a Coventry
registration
The chassis number is B94999978
PP GT OD (see attached photo). This
serial number does not fall within the
published serial numbers for either
Series IV or Series V. It is a good
assumption that the “PP” stands for
“pre-production.” Interestingly, there
is no SAL plate, and there were no
holes drilled for one.
I am told by sources in one of our
American clubs that Rootes did not
produce a left hand drive GT version
of the Series V. If that is true, then
I possess the only one imported into
the USA.
There are a few unusual features,
indicating it is a mixture of Series IV
and Series V. For example:
October 2009
-13-
•It has a round-cornered boot lid (a
la Series IV).
•It did not come with a ballast
resistor.
•
The bonnet release is the rod type
(Series IV), rather than the inferior
cable type used on the Series V
production cars.
•The markings on the heater control
are backwards. “Hot” is printed where
it should say “Cold” and visa versa.
•There are no SUNBEAM letters on
either the bonnet or the boot lid. But
it does have an Alpine script at a 45
degree angle on the bottom right
hand corner of the boot lid.
•
The dashboard is plastic veneered
faux walnut
Running gear and carburetion is
Series V spec.
Unfortunately, I did not keep the log
book that came with the car. At the
time I bought it, I was interested only
in acquiring a Series V, and I did not
realize that I had something unusual.
Similarly, I made not attempt to
keep the car original. I converted it
to a roadster, and have made many
changes to improve the performance,
safety and handling of the car (see the
article I wrote for The Horn, No 170
(August 2007). But my son asserts
he will revert it to its original specs
when he gains possession!
I would be interested in any comments
from experts in SAOC. I am especially
interested in any deciphering of the
code that follows the colour code. I
can be contacted by email or phone.
Rich Vose (Member 138)
Oakland, CA, USA
[email protected]
(+1) 510 336 2146
No.184
Alpine-nes Personified
Over the years many have struggled to communicate via the spoken and
written word, or through the medium of pictures, what defines the concept of
Alpine-nes, or Alpinism.
One underlying definition initially expressed long ago was that “the SAOC is as
much about the people as the cars”.
Consider this happy ‘senior’ bunch and tell me this does not express the joy
of Alpine-ness personified.
The similarity to the characters in the TV programme ‘Last of The Summer
Wine’ was not lost on Senior Alpinist Chris Barker who commented thus when
encountering us (including self behind the camera).
And how about umbrella man Eddie ‘Sunny Boy’ Zetlin for being a portable ray
of sunshine?
I suggest that if ever there was an example of a gay day, whoops sorry grey
day, lit by ‘sunshine people’ ‘twas this.
Bill Barwell
Motley crew
Eddie ‘Carb’ Zetlin
No.184
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October 2009
National Reflections
Alpine raindrops
Well guarded
Keep it covered
Looks like rain to me!
Reflecting on idle chat
Early series badge
October 2009
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No.184
Spares Report
I have reported in the past on one or two items of replacement spares that
have given trouble or failed. Just to refresh your memories, the timing chain
tensioner and the tappet adjusting screws.
The item in question this time is the Crankshaft Pulley manufactured in
Holland by Arnoud Malherbe and distributed by Speedy Spares. I fitted this
item to my new 1725cc engine, it is made of aluminium and is designed in
the same way as the old Rootes pulley with provision for the outer ring to
be independent from the inner boss, the two sections being joined together
by rubber moulded into position with the view to forming an anti vibration
damper.
It would appear that the pulley design in question is not moulded together but
the outer ring is pressed over the inner boss with a rubber sleeve in between
without any locating grooves in either section. If you examine the pulley you
can see that the rubber is thinner on the rear side than on the front side
indicating the direction of assembly, whereby the outer ring is pushed over
the inner boss from the front. It is thought that this creates a tendency for
the outer ring to always be under tension via the rubber distortion to move
forward
If it had been assembled the other way round it would have created a failsafe
situation whereby the outer ring would have made contact with the timing
cover and an in pending problem signalled. The other way which is what
happened to me was that the outer ring came completely off, hence no drive
to the water pump or alternator so a trailer home job evolved. Fortunately
no damaged occurred to the radiator, the outer ring and rubber sleeve I found
but never did find the fan belt!
Speedy Spares promptly supplied me with another pulley and I have taken
the matter up with Arnoud. However, this happened by chance two weeks
before Cannes, and again by chance I had been using the Alpine a little
more and thank goodness for that, otherwise it would have happened on my
journey to Cannes.
The pulley that failed had only done 2000 miles and although I fitted the same
type I incorporated a modification, whereby fitting two small lugs bolted to
the outer ring on the rear side 180” apart on a scribed centre line. These were
held by two small 1/4” dia. bolts tapped into the ring and protruding behind
the inner boss, thus preventing the outer ring from moving forwards, but not
directly securing it to the inner boss. Brackets and bolts were balanced. All
seems to be O/K after the Cannes trip of 2040 miles but I did carry a solid
pulley from John Hayter, who incidentally had also experienced a similar
failure.
During my investigation the point was raised whereby, as the pulley is made of
aluminum is it in fact any use as a vibration damper due to its lightness. The
old Rootes pulley was made of cast iron and weighed 8lbs. new aluminum one
only 4lbs. Also another point came up, if you consider the expansion of the
outer ring when hot, imagine the outer ring as a straight piece of aluminium
No.184
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October 2009
the pulley is 5”dia. Py/D would give a length in the region of 16”, expansion
of aluminium over that length would be quite considerable and the outer ring
has no direct metal contact to dissipate the heat, but heat is generated to it
from the friction driving the fan belt.
I do not wish to discredit Arnoud in any way but my position as Spares Officer
requires that I bring these problems to the attention of the members and also
to Arnoud so that he has an opportunity to implement a modification. I am
currently running an electronic distributor and a water pump from Arnoud and
also a centre track rod.
Regards
Peter
The up to date spares list follows and don’t forget all information and
photographs are available on the club website:
P&P
Bonnet badge S3
£5.00£1.50
Grille centre badge S4,5
£7.50£1.50
Specification plate S3,4
£5.50£1.50
Chassis plate S3,4,5
£4.50£1.50
Stainless Steel hose clips set (Engine)
£24.00£2.50
Tank cover chrome screw set S3,4,5(includes cup washers)£10.50£1.50
Door step chrome screw set S3,4,5
£4.50£1.50
O/D solenoid new replacement
£65-00
Petrol pump repair kits
£18-00
CD-ROM spares list (Alpine & Tiger)
£5.00£1.50
Accessory bar (all series). Original spec as part no. 1201417.
Mounts on bumper bolts behind bumper support bar
no. 1201420 and / or fog & spotlight brackets.
£28.00£3.50
Badge bar (all series). Original spec no. 1201420,
mounts on 1201417.
£66.50£4.50
Fog & spotlight brackets (Accessory bar mounted)
per pair
£48.50£2.00
Fog & spotlight brackets (Bumper bolt mounted)
incl. fitting kit, per pair
£52.50£4.00
October 2009
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No.184
Series I-V bonnets. Choice of 3 all round corners
£40.00
£60.00
£80.00
Series I-V boot lids. Choice of 3 all round corners
£20.00
£60.00
£80.00
Boot rack (all series), Original spec as part no. 2201303.
Fits recessed holes in bootlid strengtheners.
£180.00£15.00
Lucas new L/T lead with terminal block
£10.00£1.00
Series V handbrake rod clips new each
£2.00£1.00
Lucas 10AC Alternator brush box complete new 54216365 £15.00
Series I & II windscreen rubber new - ALL SOLD
Please place an order if you want one – URGENT
Centre track rod as original with rubber bushes
Stainless steel draught excluder locating strips for
door bottoms and rear of hard top, 1 metre lengths
£38.00
£10.00/m
Rubber gaitor grease seal for track rod end ball joints
(sold in pairs)
£6.00£1.00
Series 3 Handbooks reproduced photocopy
£8.50£1.50
£22.50£2.00
Indicator switch repair kit
Top suspension arm rubber buffer (new)
£6.00£2.00
Series IV-V top suspension arm ball joint (new)
£27.50
Disc pads (N.O.S)
£14.00
Brake calliper repair kit
£15.00£1.50
Master cylinder, brake & clutch repair kits
£8.50£1.50
Wheel & slave cylinder repair kits (all series)
£7.50£1.50
Brake master cylinder new
£80-00
Calliper pistons new each
£12-50
£2.50£1.50
Number plate glass rubber seal
No.184
-18-
October 2009
Horn ring new as original spec. complete with horn
contact
£78.00
Head lamp conversion to Halogen (sold as pair) new
easy change over fitment
£40.00
New Plastic Head Lamp bowls, complete with chrome rim
and adjuster kits, sold in pairs £31-80
Modified centre track rod with ball joints c/w grease nipples.
£40.00
Highly recommended
Secondhand Parts in good condition
Series IV-V Front Suspension Top & Bottom arms complete with fulcrum pins
(require new rubber bushes).
Top arm has serviceable ball joint (N/S & O/S)
One Top/One Bottom as pair
each
£40.00
£70.00
1 S/H side/flasher lamp Ser 4-5. Two new Lenses and bulbs
(push in S/L bulb oridginal spec) new leads soldered to bulb
holder connections.
£95-00
1S/H indicater switch Ser 3-4-5. New repair kit fitted, all
contacts cleaned and circuits tested all ok.
£55-00
2 Front Hubs complete with wheel studs - each
£25.00
2 Rear Hubs Late Series V
(for pre-packed hub bearings) - each
£20.00
One Rear Hub, Wire Wheel type. Late Series V for PPH Bearings
(R/H thread, N/S)
£25.00
N/S Steering Arm Series 3-4-5 £20.00
Series IV-V Front stub axle carrier assembly
N/S & O/S - each
£40.00
Series IV-V Rear axle casing, good condition
£25.00
Service Exchange Reconditioned Steering Boxes
Series 3-4-5
Series I-II
Please read spares report in Horn 175, Page 16 and
give me a call on 01306 888842.
October 2009
-19-
£220.00
£214.00
No.184
Reconditioned water pump for Series I and early Series II
(new bearing, seal, thrower & face of impellor machined) £54.50
1 S/H n/s door inner handle remote control good condition
no rust £20-00
S/H Head Lamp Peaks no dents, each £40-00
1 S/H Set of s/steel windscreen trims 4 pieces good
condition £30-00
1 Pair of S/Hand Disc brake splash plates refurbished and
painted with Por 15 rust inhibitor paint £40-00
1 S/H Inlet Manifold SV
£20-00
1 Pair Series II Doors rusted at bottom but repairable (each)£50.00
2 Series I-II Windscreen Frames with glass (each) £60.00
2 Series I-II Overriders undamaged but need rechrome (each) £15.00
1 N.O.S. Clutch, spring type 8in diameter, coarse spline with centre plate
1600cc £50.00
2 S/H Gearboxes early type (no syncro on 1st gear) (each) £60.00
1 Complete set of front suspension Fulcrum pins and rubber
bushes for Series 4-5 top and bottom. £80.00
1 Pair front bumper brackets secondhand
£20.00
P & P price applies to the UK only. Overseas members please contact me to
confirm P & P cost. Please remember to add your membership no. and phone
number with your order.
Orders and enquiries can be addressed to:
Buff & Polish, c/o Peter Pescud,
31 Rothes Road, Dorking,
Surrey RH4 1LG.
Tel. 01306 888842
Please make cheques payable to SAOC.
Buff & Polish
No.184
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October 2009
National Caption Competition
Please send your captions to the editor
by
31 December 2009
First prize is a bottle of 50th Anniversary Cuvee Reserve
Speciale Rose wine
A selection of the best captions will be published in February’s
Horn
The editors decision is final
Want to know about Alpines and me without a stain on
my er character?
October 2009
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No.184
Ready for any weather
Long walk for water
At last there it is!
Sent to Coventry and got lost
Mud glorious mud!
Future Alpinists playing
No.184
-22-
October 2009
From our huge inventory we offer
the very best spares for
SUNBEAM Alpine, Tiger & Rapier
HILLMAN Minx & Superminx
SINGER Gazelle & Vogue
HUMBER Sceptre
New & Secondhand Parts available
Worldwide Mail Order Service
Call for comprehensive catalogue
Alpine West Midlands Ltd
Units 7 & 8
r/o 271 Birchfield Road
Headless Cross, Redditch
Worcestershire B97 4NB
Tel: 01527 401498
Fax: 01527 543494
Mobile UK: 07767 604091
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website: www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk
October 2009
-23-
No.184
From the Technical Forum
In July, ‘Richf’ started a forum thread with the following question: ‘Interior
needs a good fettle. I want to re-veneer the dash. Is this easy to get out?
Some one told me the windscreen frame needs to be removed first?’
To which I replied:
‘No leave the windscreen alone. You have to remove the padded rail below
the dash, and disconnect the 2 F/A struts which support it. The glove box
also comes out AND THE VITAL THING IS NOT TO BREAK THE BAKELITE
SURROUND. The steering is left alone except for the bakelite cowls.
You have to disconnect lots of wires from the back of the instruments so make
lots of notes, photos etc.
Don’t lose the tiny nut and the steel bridge which couples the coil lead to the
rev-counter.
The choke cable has to come off the carb
Two heater cables have to be disconnected at their front ends
Take care with the oil pressure gauge pipe
As I said recently, you need:
1. a logical approach
2. the agility to get your head under the dash
3. the ability to see close up
and I would add
4. dexterity to undo connectors, nuts etc.
.... and disconnect the battery first.’
JC added:
‘When I took my dash off I removed the seats from the car. Being a slightly
fuller figure, the additional room for sprawling about like an up turned beetle
was appreciated’
And Nick Farrow offered these useful tips:
‘It’s a fiddle, but it can be removed in a couple of hours. I’ve removed and
replaced mine twice in a year (1st time just after I bought it when everything
was wired up wrong and second time in the last few weeks during my interior
rebuild). Getting it back in takes a little longer, but can easily be done in less
than a day.
My tip is to leave all the switches connected and just remove them from the
dash. That will just leave the wires to the gauges, which can be labelled by
writing what they are on masking tape. Also, keep all the gauges in the dash
and remove the dash as one unit.
I didn’t remove the seats as I found it easier to sit on something while doing
the work, but I can see it might be a good idea if you need to fiddle about
underneath it. I did everything by feel, which can be a bit difficult!’
But that wasn’t the end of the story, because I then had another thought, with
No.184
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October 2009
a new thread named ‘Free Wiper Overhaul While The Dash Is Out’, from which
the following is adapted:
Having the dash out is the ideal time to attend to the wipers. It can be done
with the dash in place but it’s more difficult.
If the wipers are worn with slack in the travel - and haven’t been touched from
new you can get a ‘free’ new installation.
The motor pushes and pulls a rack which is a stiff cable with a spiral wound
round it. The rack moves back and forth to drive a gear in each of the two
wheel boxes. In operation, less than half the teeth on each wheel box gear
are used (the wipers only move about 150 degrees), and only one edge of the
rack spiral. So by relocating these components, you can bring unused teeth
and rack into use.
1. Remove the wiper arms and
scribe a mark at the upper edge
of the exposed splined shaft
so you can monitor rotation.
These marks end up near to
the lower edge.
2. On the wiper motor, mark
the position of the self parking
cap (1) relative to the big steel
cover (13). Rotation of this cap
determines where the wipers
park.
3. Remove the motor gear
cover (13). Inside, you will
see the rack with a ‘con-rod’
(5) which fits on the ‘crank’
(8). Remove this (noting how
the rotating contact fits) so
you can turn the rack. Now,
you need to pull up the square
end of the rack and turn this
17 and-a-half turns so that
each wiper spindle has rotated
about half a turn (established
by the marks in step 1), and
the other side of the rack’s spiral is in contact. An alternative method is to pull
the rack right out – having marked the square end so you know which way up
it was. This means you can clean and re-grease the rack. Turn each spindle
half a turn before you push the rack back in. And then put the con-rod, contact
and cover back together, checking that the marks you put on the spindle are
now rotated 180 degrees and that the self-park occurs at the end of the travel
before you re-fit the wiper arms.
Chris Barker
October 2009
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No.184
Jerome ready with Regalia
Busy Regalia stand
Dealer John Hayter
Dealer Simon James
Face painting proved popular
No.184
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October 2009
October 2009
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No.184
No.184
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October 2009
From the President
I only intend to write under this heading when I have something to say.
I am extremely moved and grateful to be elected President of this excellent
club. It does make me feel rather old, and somewhat vulnerable, given that
three of our four past Presidents are no longer with us. That’s one reason –
but not the main one – why I support the new five-year term. I was involved
this year in defining the President’s ‘terms of reference’ and I shall do my best
to follow their theme which is to support the Committee.
I sent a message to those who went to Cannes which included my strongly
held view if that machinery exists, it must work properly, and if it works
properly it should be used. So I was delighted that so many people used the
50th anniversary as the excuse to drive their cars as intended. I hope we do
more of this.
That’s enough. I have another piece to write - I am told that I am not allowed
to give up my role of Information Officer.
Chris Barker
Concours Questionnaire
You should have noticed, in the last Alpine Horn, on the SAOC Forum, or at
the Warwick National Meeting that part of the SAOC Committee’s response to
comments and suggestions made last year was to solicit members’ views on
the Concours Competition. This was done by means of a questionnaire. We
accepted responses up to the end of September in order to review the results
at the autumn Committee Meeting.
I don’t want to pre-empt this discussion but the membership is very clear on
what it does and does not want. If there are changes, they will improve the
event in detail, but not change its basic character.
Chris Barker
Stop Press
You may recall that Bill Barwell wrote in August’s Horn about different shapes
of Alpine bumpers. Well he may have found the answer. Ed.
It has subsequently been suggested to me that two manufacturers might
have been contracted to make the bumpers which would allow for what is a
manufacturing tolerance variation.
You’re never too old to learn Bill. Ed.
October 2009
-29-
Bill Barwell
No.184
No.184
-30-
October 2009
S.A.O.C Area Meetings
Please inform the Editor of any changes in venues, or if you would like to set up
a venue, so that it can be published in The Horn.
Bristol
2nd Tuesday
The Toby Carvery (formerly The Orchard)
Woodlands Lane, Bradley Stoke, Bristol
BS32 4QB
Ian Merryweather 01275 858341
Midlands (West)
3rd Wednesday
The Malt Shovel, Toby Carvery
Stonebridge A45/A425 junction
next to flyover
Jo Winters. 0121 779 2981
East Anglia
(Norfolk, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire)
Please ring for details
Alan McNeal 01953 456656
[email protected]
North West
3rd Monday
The Woodside pub, junction of East
Lancs Road (A580) and Ellenbrook Rd,
Ellenbrook, Worsley M28 1ES .
Bryn Griffiths 01942 604682
Essex (South)
1st Monday
“Barge Public House”, Battlesbridge (Nr
A130)
Graham Mullender 01268 569196
Oxfordshire
2nd Monday
Variable venues
Please phone for details.
Matt Ollman 01869 331552
Herts & Beds
3rd Monday
The Leather Bottle Pub, Leverstock Green,
Hemel Hempstead from 8pm onwards.
Jerome Senn 0208 458 5401
Mobile 07831 379415
Scotland
1st Tuesday
Bridge Inn at Ratho after 8pm
No meeting in December or January.
Ahmad Goodarzi 0131 451 5052
Humberside
Area Rep. wanted
Kent & S East London 3rd Tuesday
Various venues - see Horn/Website for
details
Trevor Rogers 01959 576176
Merseyside & Cheshire 1st Monday
The Ring o’ Bells, Daresbury, Cheshire,
M56 jct 11, A56 north, right on to
B5356.
John Roseby 01928 732951
Middlesex & Berkshire 3rd Tuesday
Please contact Stephen Moorshead for
details.
Stephen Moorshead 01784 421776
[email protected]
Midlands (East)
1st Thursday
Please ring for details
Chris Harrison 07768 458002
Midlands (Leics.)
2nd Wednesday
Rose & Crown, Thurnby
Mike Ball 0116 243 1205
October 2009
-31-
Solent
1st Sunday
Variable venues, please call for details.
Every month from April to September.
Tony & Lynda Grey 02380 693836
Somerset
4th Thursday
(includes parts of Dorset & Devon)
We have moved from the The Nags Head,
Thornfalcon. Please phone for details.
Bob Standing 01823 257419
Surrey & South London 2nd Sunday
The Beefeater, Tattenham Corner, Epsom
Downs - FROM 12 noon.
Brian Simpson 0208 647 8218
Sussex
1st Monday
The Gribble Inn, Oving, Apx 1 mile east
of Chichester between A27 and A259
Keith Roberts 01243 862854
Sussex (East)
Roger Stagnell 01323 410415
West Country
Variable venues, please ring for details
Andrew Bright 07813 684659
No.184
Classifieds
Cars for Sale
Sunbeam Alpine SIII GT 1963
(BMH 204A)
Red with matching hardtop and original
1600 engine. Overall good condition
with
new
sills,
battery,
carpets
and tonneau cover.
New MOT, always
garaged,
some
service
history.
Fitted tow hitch.
£5995 ono
Contact: Tony 01934 741394
(Somerset area)
07710 643326
[email protected]
Sunbeam Alpine Series V 1968
(FSO 764F) Restoration Project.
Silver? General Condition (without
obligation): Chassis rolls and brakes.
Engine turns and sparks. Outer-Body
in good condition and requires rust
proofing then painting. Under-Body
in reasonable condition and requires
some repairing of inner-sills and rust
proofing and coating. Owned since
1988. 3rd Owner. 52,300 miles.
Engine-Bay in reasonable condition
and requires some repairing of innerwings joining to
outer-wings and
to
bulkhead.
MOT: not since
c.1993?
but
stored in dry.
£Offers
Contact: Bill 01224-483602 / 01224
633109 / 07909 576149
(Aberdeen area)
mailto:[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
No.184
Sunbeam Alpine Series V 1967
(LKE 700F)
Red. Recently fitted Brake Master
Cylinder, Servo & Front Disc Callipers.
Soft Top only.
New
tyres
fitted
approx
24 months ago,
hardly
driven
since.
MoT
October 2008.
£3700
Contact: David (Warrington area)
mailto:[email protected]
Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans
(536 CNW)
Red.
1592cc
registered
1961,
MOT June 2009. This Harrington is
fully rally prepared and has done
numerous local and international
rallies. It comes with MOT, has less
than 1000 mile engine rebuild and is
mechanically sound, but does need
some attention to the bodywork. It
also comes with numerous spares i.e.
alternators, reconditioned distributor,
bearings, ball joints etc. which are
items we carry whilst rallying.
Sensible offers invited
Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans
(654 FAC)
Red. 1592cc registered 1963. This
-32-
October 2009
car is currently off road and needs
a complete restoration. All parts are
present including wire wheels and is
fully standard.
Again sensible offers invited
Other Series Bits & Bobs:
1600 Engine (Series II)
Series IVa Bonnet.
Glove Boxes Series I & Series IV.
(both will need recovering)
Contact: John Tel: 07970 614392 or
01200 428371 office hours
[email protected]
Open to Sensible Offers feel free to
contact me.
Sunbeam Alpine Series V 1967 GT
(MHR 982F)
RED. White hard top. Vehicle off
road but complete. No MOT. Needs
attention to start.
£1500 ono
Contact: Jack 01225 754687
(Trowbridge, Wiltshire area)
Sunbeam Alpine Series V GT 1966
(MHM-322D)
B.R.Green S/S exhaust system.
Recently purchased hood. Only did
approx. 200 miles each year for the
last ten years. Passes M.O.T. each year,
with no problems. MoT 27/07/2010
£3500
Contact: John 0208 859 7695
(New Eltham London)
[email protected]
Parts for Sale
Series I Bits & Bobs:
Soft top frame.
Soft top Bins.
Rear Leaf Springs.
Steering Box.
Windscreen Frame and Glass.
Front Sub Frame.
Doors Stripped.
Non Overdrive Diff.
Propshaft.
October 2009
Contact: John 02088 555393
[email protected]
Alpine Series 3 parts.
Mechanical fuel pump, £15
Stainless window finisher surrounds,
2x side and 1x top £10 per 2
Sycro hub (new) in wax no
12058077,
Plus 1st and 2nd gear cogs
£20
Door panel metal pieces( for corners)
£15 the lot (10 bits)
Series 4/5 bumper with holes for tow
bar. needs re chroming,
£30 ono
Water
pump
series
3
needs
attention,
£10
Chrome choke handle,
£10
All are used old spares, not needed
as I sold the old girl a couple of years
back.
Contact: David 07802 705679
Canvey Essex
[email protected]
SII / SIII OD Gearboxes (a le
concours) Fully reconditioned and
guaranteed for 6 months
£ POA
Contact: John 01928 732951
Work 0151.485.6931
[email protected]
New
Harrington
camshaft
Le
Mans
£offers?
Contact: Kristian Sweden
[email protected]
-33-
No.184
Original Rootes Workshop Manual
(WSM124/10 Issued 1966) for Alpine
Series I -IV and Rapier Series III IV.
£30 + P & P.
Contact: David 01225 754100
(Bath area)
Rootes 1725cc workshop manual
covering all the Light Car Range
including Alpine. Publication No.
WSM145. It is an original Rootes large
black binder book, not a reprint and is
in very nice and little used condition.
£1,998
Contact: Geoff: 01865 873997
(OX 33 area)
[email protected].
co.uk
Heated windscreen for series
III-V, brand new but now surplus to
requirements.
£175.00
Contact Keith: 0121 355 3124
07711 887813
(Sutton Coalfield area)
[email protected]
£29.00 plus postage.
Contact: Steve 07929 987558
[email protected]
(Worcs area)
1998cc conversion of 1725cc
engine - 111bhp and 140lbft torque
at rear wheels - estimated as 140bhp
at flywheel. Fastest road going Alpine
I have ever driven in over 20 years of
Alpining.
Bottom End: - Bored and stroked.
Crank and rods, lightened, polished,
shot peened, dynamically and statically
balanced. - Flywheel lightened fitted
with uprated clutch and dynamically
balanced as an assembly. Doubledowled to crank. - Piper camshaft and
tubular push rods. Cylinder head: -Big
valves, valves, seats and guides made
from F1 spec material. Valve springs
balanced. -Head ported, chambers
reshaped and cc’d. -Brand new rocker
gear. Misc: -Tubular exhaust -Ally
sump -Finished to concours standard
with stainless steel fastenings
No.184
Series V bonnets (2 available) for
restoration. Both are basically sound
but will require stripping back and
repainting. Price is per unit: first to
buy gets to choose. Located in Saffron
Walden, Essex but may be able to
deliver.
£25
Contact: Ken 01799 526794
[email protected]
(Saffron Walden area)
Series V spares
A quantity of spares, substantially
Series V, all in used condition including
a complete front cross member with
discs, springs etc, doors, a boot lid,
a gearbox, various chrome bits, oily
bits and the like. Buyer will have to
collect. Call for more details.
-34-
£Prices negotiable
Contact: Peter 07747 792006
(North Devon)
[email protected]
October 2009
Series V spares for sale
Windscreen frame, some surface
pitting but not rotten, blasted and
primed.
Set stainless steel windscreen trims,
4 pieces, good
Other small items available. Buyer
collects.
These items are in Northern Ireland,
80 miles South West of Belfast and
105 miles North West of Dublin.
Prefer to sell as a job lot at £850.00
Windscreen frame base rubber, new.
Donald Montgomery (6487)
6 Wire wheels, all good.
2 Front & 2 rear splined hubs, good.
4 Two eared spinners.
Can be contacted on mobile 07837
075980 or Home 02889 521334 after
6.30pm. Could possibly deliver to
Belfast or Dublin ports.
Boot lid, no serious rust.
Bonnet, good condition.
Wanted
2 Bumpers straight need rechroming.
Top grill finisher.
Lower grill finisher.
Grill centre & bars.
2 Door glasses.
Reconditioned radiator, unused.
Oil cooler, new.
Oil cooler, needs repair + set hoses
& fittings
Engine complete, 1725cc, not been
rebored.
Engine dismantled, 1725cc.
Gearbox & overdrive.
2 Alternators.
2 Inlet manifolds + carbs + air
filters.
2 exhaust manifolds.
Front crossmember with suspension
& stub axles complete.
2 Front seats, fair condition.
2 Rear springs.
Prop shaft.
Heater matrix.
Horn ring.
4 Rear shocks.
October 2009
-35-
Towbar
Towbar for Series 3 Alpine.
Contact: Sheila 07711 941570
(Dorset)
[email protected]
WANTED/FOR SALE:
I bought an Alpine series I RHD some
time ago. In Holland we all drive with
LHD cars. Is there anybody who has
the opposite and wants to swap all
there is necessary to drive the cars
on the other side (good side?)
Meanly all with no money involved,
except postage.
Contact: Gerard Honig
Maalacker 32
8381CG Vledder
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 521 344939
[email protected]
No.184
Alpine Regalia
Greetings!
A new addition to the list of Regalia items is a magnetic SAOC GB Sticker. This
was produced for the Cannes rally but is now available as a regular regalia
item.
Product focus for this issue is the 50th. Anniversary Fleeces, Regatta branded
heavyweight design available in various sizes in either Black or Navy Blue. I
have had good feedback from members who have purchased these, should
come in very handy at this time of year when you want to enjoy “hood down”
motoring. I have a few left so get them while you can.
Christmas is around the corner and you may want to give or receive regalia as
a Christmas present, please don’t leave it for the last minute get your orders
in soon.
Finally a big “Well Done” and “Thank You” to the organisers of the Cannes
Rally, a brilliant event and glad I was a participant.
Please allow 28 days for delivery of all regalia.
Cheers
Jerome Senn
[email protected]
No.184
-36-
October 2009
No.
Description
Price
Each
1
50th. Anniversary T-Shirt (all sizes)
£10.00
2
50th. Anniversary Fleeces (all sizes, Black or Blue)
£28.00
3
50th. Anniversary Bone China Mug
4
50th. Anniversary Wall Clock
5
50th. Anniversary Key Rings (6 colours)
£3.50
6
50th. Anniversary Post Card
£1.00
7
New SAOC Tax Disc Holder
£1.00
8
New SAOC Windscreen Sticker
£1.00
9
New SAOC Magnetic GB Sticker
£5.00
£11.00
£5.50
10
Alpine Scale Model Kit (Series III Only)
£25.00
11
SAOC Alpine Key Ring (Leatherette Fob)
£3.50
12
Rear Screen Sticker (I’d rather drive my Sunbeam Alpine)
£2.00
13
SAOC Mug
£4.00
14
Horn Binder (Black or Blue)
£5.00
15
SAOC Mouse Mat
£1.00
16
SAOC Cloth Badge
£4.00
17
Alpine Post-it Pad & Scheaffer Ball Point Pen
£3.00
18
Alpine Guide
£10.00
19
SAOC Sweat Shirt
£10.00
20
SAOC Polo Shirt
£10.00
21
SAOC Embroidered Polo Shirt
£17.00
22
SAOC T-Shirt
£8.50
23
SAOC Baseball Cap (Black, Indigo, Green, French Navy,
Red, White & Pebble)
£6.50
24
Sunbeam Venezia Book & Poster
£8.00
25
Kenneth Howes 50th Anniversary Framed Print
October 2009
-37-
£12.00
No.184
Chairman’s Chat
Another year, another National, but this year one with a difference - a five day
spectacular to mark our cars’ 50th birthday. Even the worst that the English
weather could throw at us could not dampen the enthusiasm of the West
Midlands team who organised this fantastic event. I would personally like to
thank everyone involved in putting this National together, for both the time
and dedication they put in to make it such a success. I look forward to the next
time they feel brave enough to volunteer to do it again as you could not wish
for a more welcoming group of folk than those from the West Midlands Area.
The AGM was well attended
and an important change
was made to the club rules;
by a unanimous vote the
Club President is now to be
elected for a five year term
after which he or she may
stand down or face a reelection process.
After
many
years
of
service to the Club in many
different roles and after
several years in his current
role, Paul Norton decided to
stand down from his post
as President and the meeting elected Chris Barker to be the 5th President of
the Club. I am sure that Chris will bring his own unique brand of humour &
enthusiasm to the role and I know that I and all your committee look forward
to working with him & benefiting from both his vast experience of all things
Alpine and of the history of the SAOC over the coming years.
I would also like to thank all of those who volunteered to take up vacant
positions on the committee, especially John Lee who has taken over the role
of Press Officer & Ahmad who is continuing to look after the club funds in his
role as Treasurer. All of us are sad that John Korving is no longer able to bring
us his own refreshing spin on the world of Events & we would hope someone
from the membership would like to take on this role. If any of you have a little
spare time & feel that you could help your club by filling this position please
contact Graham Howard for a chat.
After a very wet 5 days in the Midlands thoughts of many attendees strayed
to the promise of a dryer & much warmer time in Cannes. Next issue I hope
to be able to tell you that my Series V made it safely there & back (or perhaps
not!)
All the best
Steve
No.184
-38-
October 2009
October 2009
-39-
No.184
New Concours Category
In the light of all the discussions, angst, anxiety, worry, irritations and sleepless
nights, certain individuals, rumoured to be part of a break-away ageing group
from down south, implemented some ad hoc amendments during the course
of the Saturday morning judging.
To save embarrassment & to preserve valued friendships I will not reveal
names other than to relate that the originator of the idea was supported by
A N Other who promptly dispatched somebody else to do the dirty work of
fiddling with the signage.
The pictures tell the story.
New
Concours
Categories
Belly fleshers flash at the National!
And the Master Class Winner is ..
No.184
If you are of a genteel delicate nature, and
easily offended please don’t look at this.
-40-
October 2009
You’ll
make somebody
lovely wife!
Visiting Series I
a
Top of the range rare accessory!
Looking like (sorry, for) a spare
part?
Barbie going well
October 2009
Marquee filling up
-41-
No.184
Around the Areas
Somerset Area
Hi Bob,
Despite our soggy summer we have
attended many car shows in our
Harrington Le Mans. With a rally
harness fitted and a booster seat in
situ, Amelia was able to travel in style.
Apart from the National in Warwick
when laden down with camping gear,
I have also travelled in style instead
of bringing up the rear in the Audi.
Here’s the weather report: The first
show we travelled to was Smeatharpe
D-Day, the sun shone, then we
travelled through hail storms (in June!)
Castle Cary a couple of very heavy
downpours. Sherborne, cold wind and
rain. Warwick, rain. West Huntspill,
light spits and spots. Honiton, a very
heavy drizzly fog. Finally Thornfalcon
(I know what you’re thinking, basking
in the sunshine in Cannes with a glass
of wine) but guess what, Hooray! Not
a spit or spot, the Sunbeams were
shining on Sunday, 6 Alpines could be
found scattered around the site.
With regards to our wonderful British
weather it didn’t let it dampen our
spirits for a moment we’ve had a
great Sunbeam summer, made all the
more pleasurable by all you Sunbeam
folk. Lee and I would like to take this
opportunity to thank everyone for
their hospitality towards Amelia, as
No.184
she does tend to make herself very
welcome at peoples’ tables, as we
are sure you noticed. Great catching
up with everyone at Warwick, Amelia
says a special hello to Hazel, Rhonda
and her new friend Jessica; she’s
looking forward to seeing you all at
Sparkford, as are we. Lisa, Lee and
Amelia x.
Surry & South London Area
Hi Bob
Just a few lines from Epsom Downs
and not a race horse in sight but
7 Alpines were on show for our
September meeting - it was good to
see Chris and Dennis Evans Series I
back on the road after many years no-one had a camera so our resident
photographer Jonathan Bracken who
lives nearby rushed home and got his
camera to capture the event. Peter
Pescud arrived back from Cannes and
impressed us all with his stories of the
50th anniversary.
We also made it to Biggin Hill along
with the other 70,000 visitors who
arrived on a boiling hot Sunday as
well as doing a few other local shows
this summer we continue to meet at
The Beefeater - Tattenham Corner new faces would be welcomed at 12
o’clock on the 2nd Sunday of every
month. Regards.
Brian Simpson
-42-
October 2009
Alpine Register Number Tag.
In the last Horn you had details of the proposed tag and here is the picture
sample. 75mm * 30mm * .08mm thick with the new club logo and the words
Club ID Register No. ****, with a sticky peel off back for attaching to the
scuttle.
However, as each tag produced has to have a different number, to order a small
quantity would prove expensive. So we have come up with this suggestion.
Orders will be taken by the Regalia Officer or via the web site until the end of
December. We will then contact you for payment. However, orders taken will
be accepted as a promise to pay. Price wise the cost should not be more that
£4.50/£5.
All tags ordered within this period will have the Register number etched on
them. Future orders will have to be dye stamped, by hand, with the number.
I have noted the members who ordered at the AGM at Warwick. The link to the
order form is on the web site (Regalia Page) as is the list of orders. You may
also order through our Regalia Officer.
PS. Can anyone guess the ID Number of my Alpine?
David Bradley
Le-Mans Classic July 9th -11th 2010
Whilst the SAOC will not be ‘formally’ organising crossings, tickets or
accommodation, we would be interested to hear from those members who
would like to make the trip and particularly those who would wish to be co
located on the campsite. I have now made a reservation with Travel Destinations
for up to 20 cars to be co-located at either Maison Blanche or more likely their
private camping area on Tetra Rouge.
The booking reference members can use is LMC10129. Travel Destinations
will advise costs when known (soon), and members can choose whichever
crossing they prefer.
Interested? Then please let either Simon Edwards or Tony Willock know ASAP,
or register on the Forum.
Simon Edwards – [email protected] (or membership@sunbeamalpine.
info) [email protected]
Regards
Tony.
October 2009
-43-
No.184
Which song shall we sing next?
Don’t give up the day job Jim!
Cheers!
Party atmosphere
Coventry line-up
No.184
AGM in full swing
-44-
October 2009
SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 24th – 26th JULY
ALPINE 50th celebrated with historic car line-up and personalities
13 cars lined up on each day of the Silverstone Classic to mark 50 years of the
Sunbeam Alpine, together with a magnificent display of over 30 photographs
from the SAOC Archive. On the Friday, blackened skies threatened a washout,
but the weather brightened for the rest of the weekend. Only poor public
attendance marred the event, with the exception of Saturday evening’s
entertainment from Santana and Sugar Babes.
The SAOC’s “Story in Cars” began with Hillman Owners Club member Ray
Sellers’ very tidy and original 1957 Hillman Husky, 948 GPC, driven all the way
from Lincoln, close inspection of which displayed how little the car’s floorpan
was changed before being used in the Series I and II Alpines. Next, Sunbeam
Rapier Owners Club founder member, Neil Lamond’s rare Series IIIa Rapier
Convertible, 775 POO, showed not only how the Alpine borrowed mechanical
components, but demonstrated how Rootes engineers dealt with the problem
of potential body distortion without a steel roof to stiffen its structure. A peep
under Neil’s car revealed the same massive cruciform pressings to be found
under every production Alpine.
SAOC’s John Willshire’s historic XRW 302 is the sole survivor of the first preproduction run of 8 Alpines produced for Rootes’ Chief Test Engineer Don
Tarbun’s team, the famous “Set ‘em Alight Boys” to sort the bugs in the
new sports car. Don himself attended the Show on the Saturday with his
wife, Jackie, and was delighted to be re-united with John’s car. Don was also
interviewed for the SAOC’s DVD production to mark the car’s Anniversary.
Don Tarbun meets XRW 302 again after
Don and Jackie Tarbun with the
50 years. Right to left: Don, who is holding
Alpine prototype, XRW 302.
a photo of the car as a memento from
[Photos by Gordon Jarvis]
SAOC, Jackie, his wife; John Willshire,
XRW 302’s owner and Rod Wallis.
The Series I Alpine was splendidly represented by SAOC member Colin Higgin’s
totally original car, 2855 UG, which won honours at the Beaulieu National.
Series II was represented on the Friday at very short notice by SAOC’s Les
October 2009
-45-
No.184
Leach and for the rest of the Show by SAOC’s Cindy Carlton’s excellent
award winner, 899 KYD. Next came Robin Blunden’s famous Le Mans “Index
of Thermal Efficiency” Award winning 3000 RW from 1961, representing the
Alpine’s track racing career between 1961 and 1963, looking fresh from its
recent body refurbishment.
Major changes to the rear of the Alpine came in the Series III of 1963,
gloriously represented by SAOC member Marie Loxston’s celebrated 115 VAE.
The Series IV spot was shared, on different days, by SAOC’s Geoff Woolf
and John Boggis, with their award-winning examples. Geoff must have been
the unluckiest exhibitor of the week, his car, HMR 200B, having suffered the
indignity of being hooked onto the back of a carelessly reversed “Chelsea
Tractor” two days before the Show. Miraculously skilful hammer work by
Master Restorer John Timms, virtually removed all trace of bumper damage
from Geoff’s car in time for the Event. John’s Series IV Automatic was, well,
the usually immaculately presented BNR 20B we all know.
The “Alpine Story” then turned to its transformation as its “radical child”
the Tiger Mk I, with Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club’s Vice Chairman, Graham
Vickery’s unique test-bed for the “289” engine, ADU 638B, which began its
life in 1964 as a Series IV Alpine GT. The Alpine Series V place in the line-up
was shared by SAOC member Tim Chandler’s GXJ 50E, recently completed
after an 8-year restoration and our Editor, Bob Standing’s immaculate Tourer,
GYP55C.
[Photos by James Spencer]
End of the Line - Allan Appleby’s
NCG 105F
The building block - Ray Sellers’
original Husky 948 GPC
The first effect of the Chrysler takeover in 1967, foretelling the end of the
Alpine, was the cessation of Tiger production. STOC’s Tony Tomaselli brought
his very rare RHD Mark II Tiger, HBR 818F, the penultimate example built, for
the next spot. To demonstrate that the Alpine’s main mechanical components
continued to be produced for later models into the 1970s, SROC’s Gordon
Jarvis’ Rapier H120, OHP 681M, came next in line. This model has further
significance for Alpine owners who have used the Holbay engine modifications
to improve their car’s performance.
No.184
-46-
October 2009
Finally, to mark the end of the line, SAOC member Allan Appleby’s Series V
GT, NCG 105F, came off the Ryton production line on 26th January 1968, the
very last day of Alpine production, being 7th from last built and the “newest”
surviving Alpine known to the SAOC.
In addition to the car line-up, no less than 34 enlarged photographs from
the SAOC Archive were on display, showing pre-release publicity shots and
Series I production at Armstrong-Siddeley’s Parkside Works in 1959, together
with shots of the very first road-going Alpine being assembled in the A-S
Experimental Department. This immensely important part of the Archive
received special attention on the Saturday from SAOC’s second other Special
Guest, Mike Adlington, who was actually involved both with the build and
testing of that car. [See Horn No. 183]
These excellent photographic reproductions and each exhibited car’s illustrated
“storyboard” were made by SAOC member Oliver Bridgeman and “Rocket
Graphics” in a very generous gift towards the Event and our Archive Collection.
Further generosity was shown by the car exhibitors, who had to stump up quite
expensive admission charges to the Event, the ticketing promoters seeing fit
to be mean with complimentary tickets. A huge “Thank you” is due to all who
made the line-up possible, especially Matt Ollman, Andy Goldsmith and Justin
Harrington, and members of the ARCC Committee and Member Clubs.
In addition to the SAOC’s part in the ARCC Arena, the Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine
Register celebrated the 40th Anniversary of their formation with a photographic
display and line-up of original 1953 Sunbeam Talbot Alpines. Finally, on the
Sunday, there was a parade of the exhibited cars driven around the Silverstone
Club Circuit in a fitting climax to an eventful weekend.
Rod Wallis
The very impressive ARCC arena
October 2009
-47-
No.184
Warwick 2009
Dampened Spirits - not likely- more like deluged spirits....On arrival at
Warwick School the day before the official ‘opening’ of the National of 2009,
the organising committee faced a massive clear up taking place on site, from
the Folk Festival that had preceded our event. The site was reminiscent of the
60s Flower Power era with fences used for drying out various pieces of clothing
and the groundsmen busying themselves with the quagmire that was a result
of 5,000 people attending over a weekend period.
We were also made aware that at that point in time there were only two
showers for use with promises of the rest of the amenities to be available by
the Thursday...oh my goodness one of the things that attracted the organising
committee to the school was the enormous amount of amenities that would
be available! C’est la vie.
Well not to be flattened by all the comings and goings we set up the reception
and our personal plots in readiness for the Tuesday attendees, of which there
were over 28 units. The weather was kind, but not so on the Wednesday when
we suffered torrential downpours almost all of the day. Many campers were
not able to erect tents until early evening, but spirits were high and promises
of weather changes came from all directions. At this point it must be said that
the staff at the school were most helpful and were willing to put folk up inside
on z-beds rather than have a wet night. No one resorted to this.
No.184
-48-
October 2009
Well not to go on, the rest of the week we felt went well. It was a good line
up for the run to Coventry Transport Museum and no doubt there are many
stories relating to that episode. But we believe that there was actually a lineup at the Museum of 50 cars, albeit they may not have all been Alpines.
The tickets to Warwick Castle were very much appreciated by all and we thank
the SAOC Committee for their sanctioning and subsidising these. All who
visited the Castle we hope had a lasting experience. What a fantastic site that
Castle is to behold.
We were sad that Saturday’s weather was a dampener, consequently no driving
test, but there were still many folk entering into the spirit of the competitions
etc., and folks going out on the local runs. The Alpine line-up was good with
many umbrellas in use. The ladies’ enjoyed their time in Stratford whilst the
boys looked at their toys.
The day was rounded off by what we thought was a great evening with good
food and the live band. Maybe proof of the age-group of many Alpine owners
was the fact that there were so many folks dancing and singing to the music
of the 60s and knowing all of the words!
We hope that everyone enjoyed the National and the organising committee
would like to convey their thanks to all the helpers including the dormitory
runners of the West Midlands Group and anyone outside of the group who
helped in any way to make it a successful event.
The auction carried out prior to the prize giving raised £322 which goes to the
Rootes Archive Centre. We have to thank Warwick School staff both indoor and
outdoor for their co-operation and sincere support in every way in making our
National a success.
On a personal note I would like to thank the lads of West Midlands for all
their hard work over these past 2 years and recent months in the lead up and
during the event.
Jo Winters
October 2009
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No.184
BSAC
Established 1975 Prop. JL Hayter B.Sc
PREMIER SUPPLIER OF PARTS
FOR SUNBEAM ALPINES 1959-1968
SAMPLE OF OUR MASSIVE STOCKS
Brake master cylinder (NEW)
Recon calliper
Recon window winder repair kit
Recon alternator
Crankshaft pulley
Oil pump repair kit
Core plug set
Gearbox rebuild kit
Tubular performance manifold
Stainless exhaust
Stainless exhaust
Stromberg Carb kit
Solex Carb kit
Zenith Carb kit
Camshaft
Clutch slave cylinder (NEW)
Rear shock absorbers
S 3/4/5
S 1/2/3/4/5
S 3/4/5
S 5
S 1/2/3/4/5
S 1/2/3/4
All
S5
S 1/2/3/4/5
S 4/5
S 1/2/3
S 5
S 3/4
S 1/2/3
S 1/2/3/4
S 5
S 1/2 each £80
£58 exch
£40
£68 exch
£74
£36
£6
£120
£206
£260
£220
£68 pair
£28
£84 pair
£52 exch
£28
£32 exch
Add 15% for postage & packing - min £4.00
Add VAT Currently 15%
BSAC
Bourne
CALLERS BY APPOINTMENT
J.L. Hayter
1 Carrington View
Tongue End
Spalding
PE11 3HZ
A15
Spalding
Tongue End
Baston
Market Deeping
A15
Telephone/Fax: 01775 670188
Mobile: 07772 658811
V.A.T. No. GB362580157
No.184
WE ARE HERE
look for the phone box
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Peterborough
October 2009
Your Committee
PRESIDENT & INFORMATION OFFICER
CHRIS BARKER
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01935 862615
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No.184
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October
2009
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