Sunbeam Alpine MkI Roadster, 1954
Alpine
Alpine•
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Chassis No.: A3014363LRX
Auction: Monterey 2023
Auction date: August 19, 2023
Lot No.: F103
$176,000 | Sold
- Odometer: 64,389 miles
- Engine: Inline 4-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: Sapphire Blue
- Interior: Fawn
- Body: Roadster
- Body No. 1985
- Hand-built coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly
- Factory left-hand drive Sunbeam-Talbot MkI Alpine
- 1 of 1,282 MkI Alpines produced from 1953-1954
- It is estimated that fewer than 300 examples exist today
- This car is finished in the same color combination as the Sunbeam Alpine that was featured in the 1955 movie ‘To Catch a Thief’ starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly
- Sapphire Blue with Light Fawn interior
- Original 2267cc inline 4-cylinder engine
- Column-shifted 4-speed manual gearbox
- Part of a private collection since 1992
- Frame-off restoration by Peter’s Marina Motors of Venice, California in 2002
- The restoration included bodywork, paint, chrome, custom-made leather upholstery, custom-made canvas convertible top, new electrical wire loom and a new windshield
- Maintenance records and restoration invoice
- Jack and cockpit tonneau cover in trunk
- The Alpine sports car was named in honor of Sunbeam-Talbot team’s success in the Alpine rally
Racing through the mountain passes of France, Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland would be challenging at the best of times; doing it in the midst of winter in a coachbuilt convertible would appear to be an act of masochism. But, that’s what Sunbeam did in the Alpine Rally, garnering laurels and publicity for its new roadster, driven by Stirling Moss among others, who in 1953 took one of several Coupes Des Alpes for the British firm.
That’s how the Sunbeam Alpine got its name, and of course, further fame came in 1955 with its starring role alongside Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in the Hitchcock thriller “To Catch A Thief.” Indeed, touring in the hills on the French Riviera—in summer—seems much more apt for a car that Sunbeam hoped would find its market in the wealthy sunshine playgrounds of America. To that end Sunbeam solicited styling input from none other than Raymond Loewy, the famed French designer and guru of streamlined styling who made a huge impact on the iconography of American industrial design.
Though based on the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 saloon, the sleek, coachbuilt two-seat Mk1 Alpine roadster crafted by Thrupp & Maberly was altogether more glamourous. In addition, the 2267cc inline-4 was uprated to 77-80 HP to deliver a top speed in the region of 95 MPH; with Americans in mind, there was a 4-speed manual column gear change. Likewise, the cockpit has not a wafer of burl walnut, but it is still immensely stylish and luxurious in the American idiom with Art Deco-style instrumentation in a painted metal fascia, replete with fine leather and carpet.
Evocatively liveried in the “To Catch A Thief” color scheme of Sapphire Blue with a Light Fawn interior, this rare 1954 Alpine MkI has been part of a private collection since 1992 and, in 2002, received a major and extensive frame-off restoration by Peter’s Marina Motors of Venice, California, that included bodywork, paint, chrome, custom-made leather upholstery, a custom-made canvas convertible top, new electrical wire loom and a new windshield. It’s powered by its original 2267cc inline-4 engine, which is backed by a column-shifted 4-speed manual gearbox.
Though around two-thirds of Sunbeam Alpine roadsters were sold to North America, there weren’t many to begin with, as just 1,282 MkI’s were hand-built through 1953-54. The survivor estimate is 300, though some sources think it nearer 200. American adverts heralded the Sunbeam Alpine as both “bred in the Alps” and “the new queen among sports cars.” Meanwhile, MotorTrend regarded it more as a “touring car.” Those who know and appreciate this rare and highly distinctive roadster would say there’s truth in all three assertions.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1085210/1954-sunbeam-alpine-mki-roadster/
Cost
646,360 AED
