Sunbeam

The Sunbeam Alpine was introduced in 1959. It was a small convertible based on the Hillman Minx, produced in four different generations and aimed primarily at the US market. Production stopped shortly after the Chrysler takeover of the Rootes Group, after around 70,000 units had been built. The Series I had a 1,494cc engine and made extensive use of components from other Rootes Group vehicles. 

The Series II of 1960 featured an enlarged 1,592cc engine and revised rear suspension, but there were few other changes. When it was replaced in 1963, 19,956 had been made.

The Series III, introduced in 1963, was produced in two versions: the GT with removable hardtop and the ST with soft-top, stored behind the small rear seat. The rarest production Alpine, the Series III was produced from March 1963 to January 1964 for a total of 5,863 units. It was a transitional model, incorporating many of the modifications of the later low fin cars such as roomier boot, improved seats, and a vacuum brake booster. The 1,592cc engine was de-tuned in the GT for smoothness. The 1964 Mk IV introduced a new rear styling with the fins largely removed. Automatic transmission with floor-mounted control became an option. From autumn 1964 a new manual gearbox with synchromesh on the first gear was adopted in line with its use in other Rootes cars.