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Sunbeam Alpine Fin Tail
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Car-Nut



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Posts: 146
Location: Lancashire

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 10:34 pm    Post subject: Sunbeam Alpine Fin Tail Reply with quote

Hi Guys,

Im off to view the above next week-end.

Dont know much about them yet.

Any pointers / tips, weakness etc to look out for
on a viewing, test drive welcome Smile
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Car-Nut
'62 S1 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC
'70 420G - 13th from last RHD
'70 420G - 17th from last RHD
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Scotty



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 883

PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 7:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a 1967 Series V GT in the mid-1970's for three years and generally it was trouble free.



The SV GT was the top of the range and came with a factory fitted hardtop (which rusted at the bottom of the rear quarters), but no soft-top. Fitted with a Laycock Overdrive in 3 and 4 it made for very nice cruising speeds. Mine stopped working and I went to a garage who told me it was knackered and they recommended replacement, but I couldn't afford one. A couple of months later in a chance conversation I was told about 2 old gents who ran a little garage down a lane and what they didn't know wasn't worth knowing. One quick visit later these old gents took the car for a drive and on their return they reckoned it was out of adjustment and if I went and got them a carton of tea each from the café they'd have it fixed - and they did! Very Happy

Front shocks are worth checking, they tended to be a bit weak on my car. Front side lamps rotted from the back as the fittings were unprotected projecting into the front wheel wells.

Front wings rusted just behind the wheels and up the height of the wing - as a result of unprotected metal inside the wheel well.

The car had a proper chassis and was strong, but I'd check the outriggers as these cars are getting to a fair age now.

It drove well, better than an MGB in my opinion and looked far better with that 'shark look' front bodywork.
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Car-Nut



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Posts: 146
Location: Lancashire

PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Scotty Smile

The one Im viewing is a 1960 I'll keep you posted and put some images up when I get them…
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Car-Nut
'62 S1 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC
'70 420G - 13th from last RHD
'70 420G - 17th from last RHD
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Wed May 22, 2013 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

All pretty standard failings of older cars.

Sills and front wings corrode (not unusual).

Synchromesh will probably be weak unless someone has ground in the cones and fitted new springs.

The track rod ends tend to get sloppy. (The non-lube rubber ones in behind the engine.)

The Zenith carb throttle spindles wear and get sloppy so you tend to have to kick the pedal to get back to proper idle speed.

The door gaps tend to close up at the top. Look for signs of paint scraping on the B posts.

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
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Scotty



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 883

PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2013 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Car-Nut wrote:
Thanks Scotty Smile

The one Im viewing is a 1960 I'll keep you posted and put some images up when I get them…


Been away in the North-East all week with no access to the web, so my apologies for the delayed response - no web was like having my legs cut off!

I'd love to hear how you get on as I'm sure many of the others here will. Wink
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Car-Nut



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Posts: 146
Location: Lancashire

PostPosted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 3:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Scotty / Guys,

Thanks for your replies.

In the end have ended up with a 1963 Fin tail.

Images below:









Hope to have it available for hire by the end of July:

http://www.lancashireclassicjaguarhire.co.uk
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Car-Nut
'62 S1 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC
'70 420G - 13th from last RHD
'70 420G - 17th from last RHD
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View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
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