Triumph v Sunbeam

[Brian in VA]

OK brain trust, for something British to mess around in, work on, etc, and with input from my wife regarding styling etc, I'm thinking Sunbeam Alpine v Triumph Spitfire. Early cars. Any past or present owners with advice? (No MGBs even though that's the obvious choice)

Thanks

[fintstone]

I like both... Get the Sunbeam Alpine Tiger.

[Jim Richards]

I bought a new Spitfire in the early '70s. That was and is to this day, the worst POS I have ever owned. Anything but a Spit.

[70SATMan]

I've a buddy with an outstanding black Tiger that is scary fast. Great cult following.

Of the two, that would be my choice.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I like both... Get the Sunbeam Alpine Tiger.

Alpine has a four-banger.
Tiger has a Ford V8.

[dafischer]

And BIG difference in purchase cost.

[dafischer]

The Alpine (not Tiger) is a dog, and parts aren't that easy to get and not cheap. The Spit is a slow and dodgy handling (if not well prepared) and an all around cheap car. Consider a TR6 if you want a decent affordable British car. I've owned all 3, and speak from experience.

[recycled sixtie]

I remember way back, late 60's I think, that a friend of mine had a Sunbeam Alpine and he said it was nothing but trouble. The Tiger seems to have a better following but more $$$$. The Spitfire and the Alpine look great but u don't see many around still.
Probably there is a good reason for that.

[Brian in VA]

Haha, thanks Jim, that's what I'm looking for. I'm leaning toward the Sunbeam myself, my wife loves the almost art deco styling. Tigers are sweet but a lot more expensive and probably not worth the difference for driving down the street to C&C. But if I find one in the right price range....
Thanks for the quick input everyone!

[Jim Richards]

I feel it's my duty to save my fellow man from the horrors of Spitfire ownership.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Brian in VA

OK brain trust, for something British to mess around in, work on, etc, and with input from my wife regarding styling etc, I'm thinking Sunbeam Alpine v Triumph Spitfire. Early cars. Any past or present owners with advice? (No MGBs even though that's the obvious choice)

Thanks

Triumph Spitfires are ungainly little cars, cheaply constructed. Consider a Triumph TR 3, 4, etc., vs Sunbeam Alpine (the Triumph being more of a "sports car" than the attractive, but somewhat "boulevard cruiser", Sunbeam).

The Tiger is a hot rod option to consider if you like that sort of bastardization (which tends to plow like a tractor rather than reward with spritely handling). Actually...have you considered a bugeyed Sprite? You won't believe how much fun 48 hp can be.

[MattKellett]

Bugeye is a great suggestion, or frog eye as we used to call them - my friends alpine was the worst car I've ever had the misfortune of being driven in!

How about an MGA? Body on frame construction, so much easier to work on bodywise, superb parts supply and damn good looking to boot!

[Brian in VA]

Yep, all good suggestions. I'm going to keep looking at Bugeyes too. The Tr3 and MGA are great, but good examples are probably more than I want to invest in this. I'm looking for a cheap British car that I won't feel bad about screwing around with.

[Nostril Cheese]

Sunbeam Stiletto (good luck finding one) or it's more common brother, the Hillman Imp.

[masraum]

I had a buddy that had a spitfire in HS. It looked really cool, but it was REALLY slow. He had to downshift to get up a hill that I could drive up in my 52 hp Chevy Chevette.

I rely like the idea of of a Triumph TR6 or an Austin Healey 3000., but then neither of those was in your list.

[fintstone]

Have to agree on TR6...much better car than the spit. I would take an MGB or C over the spitfire.

[johnco]

friend of mine told me about a spitfire for sale over here earlier today. one owner car, belonged to a doctor. doctor died, wife doesn't want car. $200

[Evans, Marv]

Sounds like the cars like the MGA, AH 3000, & TR3 are probably more than you want to spend, & probably for good reason. The prices for those have sky rocketed. The bug eyes are also pretty spendy nowdays too. Another car you might consider is the Mark II Sprite, that followed the bug eye Sprite. They are as much fun as the others, handle pretty well, and are sort of off the radar screen of most people it seems. A HS buddy of mine had one, & we put lots of miles on it, auto crossed it, & generally had a ton of fun at 40+ miles per gallon.

[Bill Douglas]

A Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger is just gorgeous.

Another idea to throw into the pool is a Daimler sp250 also known as a Daimler Dart.

[mossguy]

Spitfire- NO! Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger-YES