What sort of car is this?

[dtype38]

Friend just sent me this picture of a car wanting to know what it is. Looking at the badge my first thought was a Bently I but can't find anything like that in their range. On looking at the badge again, the letter isn't definitely a B as the resolution isn't good enough to be sure. I also think the 'wings' don't look quite the right shape or position. Any thoughts?

[nicanary]

It's a Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine (just like the Dinky model}if I.m not mistaken.

[VIVA GT]

Surely, a Sunbeam Talbot (or if I remember correctly, the convertible model, as rallied by Mr S Moss Esq. was known as an Alpine).
Or am I just jumping to an obvious, but wrong conclusion?

[VIVA GT]

Yep, a check with the DVLA (under manufacturer: Sunbeam)confirms our suspicions:

Vehicle enquiryThe enquiry is complete.
The vehicle details for 807 UXN are:
Date of Liability 01 06 2012
Date of First Registration 01 07 2005
Year of Manufacture 1953
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2250cc
CO2 Emissions 0g/Km
Fuel Type PETROL
Export Marker N
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour SILVER
Vehicle Type Approval Not Available

[Tim Falce]

It's a Sunbeam 2250

edited; beaten to it.

[grantp]

Wiki entry.

[GORDON STREETER]

I used to work on them when I first started in the motor trade at the beginning of the 60s

[dtype38]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Yep, a check with the DVLA (under manufacturer: Sunbeam)confirms our suspicions:

I did try that, but it wouldn't do it on the reg alone and I didn't think of trying Sunbeam

Anyway, thanks very much guys. Sorted

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I used to work on them when I first started in the motor trade at the beginning of the 60s

They used the same, big, four cylinder engine as the Humber Hawk as I recall. (A vehicle not known for its sporting prowess!)

[nicanary]

I think from memory that Sunbeam introduced the model following success in the Alpine Rally with more standard models.It was their idea of a sports car but in reality more of a boulevardier.

The Alpine event was frightening in those days - narrow unsurfaced roads with no safety barriers. Not for the faint-hearted.Works drivers included a certain S.Moss, Peter Collins,Sheila van Damm,Norman Garrad the team manager and (I think) George Hartwell who had a dealership and later ran Hillman Imps in saloon racing.

[nicanary]

Just realised that in my first reply I called it a Sunbeam-Talbot, when it was in fact the first Rootes car to be named just Sunbeam. The whole Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq,Rootes Group,and later Talbot, Peugeot etc. thing is very convoluted.

Pedantry rules.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by nicanary

Just realised that in my first reply I called it a Sunbeam-Talbot, when it was in fact the first Rootes car to be named just Sunbeam. The whole Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq,Rootes Group,and later Talbot, Peugeot etc. thing is very convoluted.

Pedantry rules.

Being pedantic, I thought these were still Sunbeam Talbots, with 'Sunbeam' on one side of the badge, and 'Talbot' the other? Or, was that on the saloon version, and the coupe it was 'Sunbeam' and 'Alpine'?

[nicanary]

I cheated and looked it up in Georgano - your surmise is correct, one marque name for the saloon and drophead, and another for the roadster.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by dtype38

I did try that, but it wouldn't do it on the reg alone and I didn't think of trying Sunbeam

Should have tried askmid.com

[dtype38]

I've added it to my 'useful site' list.