$99,999
$99,999
1953 Alpine

Specs

Ext Color	White	Engine	2200
Int Color	Red	VIN	33333333333333333
Kilometers	999999	Transmission	Manual
Body Style	Convertible	Drivetrain	Rear Wheel Drive
Stock ID	ALPINE123	Doors	2 Doors
Fuel	Gas

Description

On a wet, miserable day in December 2021, we were offered the opportunity to clear a rundown garage that was previously owned by an English car enthusiast. Over the years, he collected more cars and purportedly had every intention of restoring these vehicles to their former glory and driving them. Sadly, time caught up with the gentleman, he passed away and his family, who had no interest in the cars, deceided to part with them.

We'd seen a few photos on Facebook, maybe four or five, but with everything crammed into a dimly lit garage, it was difficult to see what was what. Folks were commenting, and front and centre was a Sunbeam Talbot 90 DHC. A front wing, or fener, in red was poking out from behind the DHC, and folks were speculating that it was an MG B, MG A or something else. But I knew it was an Alpine Roadster (thanks Dad for all of those pre-teen journeys accross England pointing out to me obscure cars that I can still identify from a shape, a grille or a light). We made contact with the vendor, but someone else was already due to look, so we shrugged and lived to fight another day.

A week later, the phone rings and the cars are still available, so we saddle up and kidnap our pal and VW Guru Darren Coughtry and head to Sooke, at the Souther Tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The weather had turned, and we had snow but we were an an old car adventure, so we didn't mind.

We eventually arrive and Adam is wide eyed, like a kid in a sweet shop (candy shop for our Americanand Canadian friends). Myself and Darren looked at the logistical side of things, looked at each other (not romantically) and kind of smiled, grimmaced. We knew what was going to be involved. This one was not for the feint hearted, and my heart is not in the best condition anyway.

We struck a deal and paid for the vehicles, and were told that we had until the end of January to be out (this was the week before Christmas). We hooked up our truck and trailer, Darren's truck and what can only be described, loosley and if you squit, as a trailer and our Box Van (thanks to Rick and Mary Feng) and headed to the vehicles, during the period between Christmas and New Year. Whilst most folks were with their families, eating heartily and reminiscing about good times, we were up at the crack of dawn, driving through the snow, getting ready to inhale cobwebs and cat piss, washed down with a stale Tim Horton's donut and Tea that tasted like it had been filtered through a vagrant's undercrackers.

Upon arrival, we received the news that the deadline had been moved from 31st January 2022 to 31st December 2021. No explanation, just some awkward mumblings and the offer of retaining the original date should we wish to pay a months rent. I hate a piss take, especially when a handshake is done, but we were committed. I suspect it was a bit of a shake down, but never one to shirk a challenge, and with Darren's "giddy up", we cracked on to see if we could make a dent in this situation.

What did we buy?

A massive amount of old, used spare parts lovingly coated in dirt, grime, rat droppings and cobwebs. An Austin J20 Van which we sold to some chaps in Port Alberni. A 1938 Morris 8 Series E Tourer (it runs, we still have it, come take it off our hands), an MG YT that had previously been owned in Duncan, BC, a Sunbeam Talbot 90 DHC that went to a great guy in White Rock south of Vancouver (thanks to our friends Brian and Doug for getting her running and driving) and then the diamonds in the rough, three Alpine Roadsters that had seen better days.

OK, slight diversion. What is a Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Roadster? Well, for one, restored, these cars are beautiful, the proportions are pure early 50's and if you imagine the cars on the road during that Post War era, these cars must have looked sublime. David Letterman has one he'll never sell, Grace Kelly and Clarke Gable drove one in the Hollywood Film, To Catch A Thief, and Sir Stirling Moss and his late, great sister, Pat Moss entered one in the 1953 Rally Des Alpes.

Vehicles are sold:

Information for reference.