Best British Roadster: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Out of the common British roadsters from the '60s I have to declare that the Sunbeam Alpine is the prettiest of the crew.  It also has the added benefit of being less common than an MGB or Triumph TR (or Spitfire) or Jensen Healey on the street, so if rarity, cool factor, and beauty are important to your classic British roadster choice...get an Alpine. Find this 1967 Sunbeam Alpine offered for $9250 in Gardena, CA via craigslist.

Strange Brew: 1972 Dutton Phaeton

I really want to like this next car because it is a rare and cool looking etc etc...but I just can't shake my first impression...which was that it looked like something that Herman Munster built after binge watching the entire 4 seasons of the original Transformers cartoon while exceptionally high on barbiturates. It cool...but I'm not sure what the neighbors will think. Find this 1972 Dutton Phaeton offered for $3,500 in Tampa, FL via facebook marketplace. Tip from David S.

Back To Your Rootes: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

The Sunbeam Alpine was originally engineered and produced by the UK based Rootes Group (Sunbeam, Karrier, Commer, Humber, Hillman, Talbot & Singer), and around the time this Alpine was built, the Sunbeam marque was acquired by Chrysler Corp. The Alpine design work was done by former Ford employee Ken Howes, and coincidentally it looks a lot like the first generation Thunderbird. Find this 1967 Sunbeam Alpine offered for $11,500 in Lyman, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025.

Basic Roadster: 1965 Sunbeam Alpine IV

There was a time when V8 powered Sunbeam Tigers could be found for the price of this next basic inline-4 powered Alpine...but we can't dwell in the past like a bunch of Neanderthals...right?  Anyway, I still love a good manual gearbox equipped sportster with a basic overhead valve powered 4-cylinder. Find this 1965 Sunbeam Alpine IV offered for $12,990 in Sonoma, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

British Racing Green: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Many car publications/forums say the answer to any car related question is the Mazda Miata.  If the Miata is too mundane and you need something with more savior faire, today's affordable classic Sunbeam Alpine is a good option.  The Alpine model was fitted with a four cylinder engine that put out 90 some odd horsepower so it was not nearly as potent a performer as the Ford V8 fitted Tiger model.  The Series V 1965-1968 Alpine's were the last of these cars and arguably the best looking.  Find this 1967 Sunbeam Alpine for sale in Woodside, CA for $8,999 via craigslist.  Tip from Fuel Truck.

Domesticated: 1965 Sunbeam Alpine

The Alpine was released in 1959 as part of the Rootes Group offering in their Sunbeam brand, but it used a modified floorpan from a Hillman Husky sedan but with a stylish convertible body.  A few years later the Alpine got legs when the Tiger version was released with V8 power, but those are now traded between wealthy collectors and now regular folks have to settle for the 4-banger version.  Find this 1965 Sunbeam Alpine offered for $10,000 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Peak of Exclusivity: 1980 Renault Alpine A310 Fleishmann

Lambo's...Ferrari's...McLaren's...honestly, these cars don't guarantee exclusivity anymore.  Once reserved for the elite and seen on rare occasions, average techies and newly legalized cannabis dealers are filling up the roads with flashy wheels these days. Why not take it up a notch and drive something no one will recognize?  Smirk as crowds gather around you at Coffee & Cars while Joe Smoke leans solo on his gold wrapped Huracan.  Find this 1980 Renault Alpine A310 Fleishmann for sale in Allentown, PA for $29,995 via craigslist. Tip from Torrance

Orbiting Star: 1963 Sunbeam Alpine

Mention the Sunbeam car brand in North America and instantly the next comment will include something about their Tiger model.  Lesser known is the Alpine, otherwise known as "Tiger's little brother".  With Tigers commanding large moola these days for even the scrappiest of specimens, lesser demand Alpines can offer tons of fun for smaller wallets.  Find this modified 1963 Sunbeam Alpine listed for sale in Sacramento, CA, but located in Oregon, for $5,000 via craigslist.

Projected Success: 1961 Sunbeam Alpine

I hate it when someone is selling a project car (aka pile of junk) but he/she asks just a few bucks below the price of a nice car.  Because you stored this car and let it crumble into the earth, now you expect someone else to pay you for the right to restore it?  Nope.  Cars that need to be towed home or ran when borked should be priced appropriately...and when I say appropriately I mean like 1/10th of the price for a condition #1 version of the same car.  Find this 1961 Sunbeam Alpine offered for $2,400 in Reseda, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Auction Watch: 1966 Sunbeam Alpine Series V

Check out this 1966 Sunbeam Alpine Series V here on eBay bidding for $4,544 reserve-not-met with auction ending on April 15th at 11:30AM PST.

Nissan Powered: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

The basic idea behind an engine swap is that you take a slow car and make it faster...or a boring car and make it exciting...or make a faux version of a special edition.  For instance, many folks have dropped Ford 289 V8s into Sunbeam Alpines to make fake Tigers, but this next swap is a real head scratcher. Find this 1967 Sunbeam Alpine with Nissan power offered for $4,500 in Lakewood, CO via craigslist. Tip from Zach Z.

Auction Watch: 1962 Willys Interlagos Alpine A108 Somethingorother

Take a look at this 1962 Willys Interlagos Alpine thing here on eBay bidding for $24,108 reserve-not-met with auction ending on Thursday.

Auction Watch: 1965 Sunbeam Alpine w Ford V8

Checkout this 1965 Sunbeam Alpine V8 Conversion bidding for $5,800 reserve-not-met here on eBay with bidding ending on Jan 30th. 

Classic Status Achieved: 1965 Sunbeam Alpine

You don't need to have a degree in Classic Carchaeology (if that isn't a thing...it should be) to know that the Sunbeam Alpine is a good looking automobile with serious future collector status.  The convertible British roadster market is saturated with MGBs and TR6s, but a nice condition Alpine for less than ten grand sticks out like an instagram babe at a plumbers convention.   Find this 1965 Sunbeam Alpine offered for $9,800 near Cincinnati, OH via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

10k: Adriaannnnn: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine V

If you'd like to experience the thrill of open air motoring in a classic British style lightweight, there really is no better tradeoff between driving experience and price than a NA-series Mazda MX-5 Miata...but if you seek the thrill of possibly not getting to your destination, you should seriously consider an actual British classic.  Like this 1967 Sunbeam Alpine V offered here on eBay currently bidding for $7,800 reserve-not-met.

5k: Easy Being Green: 1966 Sunbeam Alpine

The Sunbeam Alpine was originally engineered and produced by the UK based Rootes Group (Sunbeam, Karrier, Commer, Humber, Hillman, Talbot & Singer), and around the time this Alpine was built, the Sunbeam marque was acquired by Chrysler Corp. The Alpine design work was done by former Ford employee Ken Howes, and coincidentally it looks a lot like the first generation Thunderbird.  Find this 1966 Sunbeam Alpine currently bidding here on eBay for $4,459 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go, located in Cos Cob, CT.