Sunbeam Alpine — General Data
From the Workshop Manual WSM 124 for the Sunbeam Rapier III to IV and Alpine I to IV.
General Dimensions
| Wheelbase — Alpine |
7 ft. 2 in. (218.4 cm) |
| Wheelbase — Rapier |
8 ft. (243.8 cm) |
| Track (front) — Alpine (disc wheels) |
4 ft. 3 in. (129.5 cm) |
| Track (front) — Alpine (wire wheels) |
4 ft. 3 in. (130.2 cm) |
| Track (front) — Alpine IV (disc wheels) |
4 ft. 3½ in. (131.4 cm) |
| Track (front) — Alpine IV (wire wheels) |
4 ft. 1 in. (124.5 cm) |
| Track (rear) — Alpine (disc wheels) |
4 ft. (121.9 cm) |
| Track (rear) — Alpine (wire wheels) |
4 ft. ½ in. (122.2 cm) |
| Overall length — Alpine |
12 ft. 11½ in. (394.4 cm) |
| Overall length — Rapier IV |
13 ft. 6 in. (411.5 cm) |
| Overall height — Alpine |
4 ft. 3½ in. (131.4 cm) |
| Overall width — Alpine |
5 ft. 0½ in. (153.7 cm) |
| Overall width — Rapier |
5 ft. 1 in. (155 cm) |
| Ground clearance (laden) — Alpine |
4¾ in. (12.1 cm) |
| Turning circle — Alpine |
34 ft. |
Weights
| Alpine I & II (soft top) |
2194 lbs. (991 kg) |
| Alpine I & II (hardtop) |
2218 lbs. (1006 kg) |
| Alpine III (soft top) |
2223 lbs. (1006 kg) |
| Alpine III (GT) |
2279 lbs. (1033 kg) — add 20 lbs. if overdrive fitted |
| Alpine IV |
2232 lbs. (1054 kg) |
| Alpine IV (soft top) |
2232 lbs. (1012 kg) |
| Alpine IV (GT) |
2230 lbs. (1012 kg) |
| Towing capacity |
15 cwt. (Alpine III), 17 cwt. (Alpine IIIA, IV) |
Capacities
| Engine — including filter |
8 pints (9.4 U.S. pints; 4.5 litres) |
| Gearbox |
2¾ pints (3.3 U.S. pints; 1.56 litres) |
| Gearbox and overdrive (if fitted) |
4 pints (4.8 U.S. pints; 2.25 litres) |
| Rear axle |
1¾ pints (2.1 U.S. pints; 1.0 litre) |
| Cooling system (with heater) — Alpine I & II |
10 pints (12 U.S. pints; 5.7 litres) |
| Cooling system — Alpine III onwards |
12½ pints (15 U.S. pints; 7.1 litres) |
| Fuel tank — Alpine I & II |
9 gallons (10.8 U.S. galls; 40.9 litres) |
| Fuel tank — Alpine III onwards |
11½ galls. (13.6 U.S. galls; 51.8 litres) |
Engine — General
| No. of cylinders |
4 |
| Bore size (nominal) |
3.11 in. (79 mm) — Ser. I Alpine, Series III Rapier
3.21 in. (81.5 mm) — Ser. II, III, IV Alpine, Series IIIA, IV Rapier |
| Capacity (Series I Alpine, Series III Rapier) |
91.2 cu. in. (1494 cc) |
| Capacity (Series II, III, IV Alpine, Series IIIA, IV Rapier) |
97.1 cu. in. (1592 cc) |
| Compression ratio — Series I Alpine, Series III Rapier |
9.2:1 |
| Compression ratio — Series II, III Alpine, Series IIIA, IV Rapier (9.1:1) |
9.1:1 (8.4:1 in certain export territories) |
| Compression pressure — Series I Alpine, Series III |
170/180 lbs. per sq. in. (average) (11.9/12.6 kg/cm²) |
| Compression pressure — Series II, III, IV Alpine, Series IIIA, IV Rapier (9.1:1) |
185/195 lbs. per sq. in. (average) (13/13.7 kg/cm²) |
Engine Performance
| Alpine I (std. Zenith) |
67.5 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
| Alpine II |
80 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
| Alpine III (std. Zenith) |
80 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
| Alpine III (GT) |
85.5 B.H.P. at 5500 R.P.M. |
| Alpine IV |
82 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
| Rapier III |
78 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
| Rapier IIIA |
80 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
| Rapier IV |
84 B.H.P. at 5000 R.P.M. |
Cylinder Block
| Material |
Cast Iron |
| Max. overbore (with or without liners) |
0.060 in. (1.52 mm) |
| Dia. of main bearing bore (without shells) |
2.3947 in. / 2.3955 in. (60.82/60.84 mm) |
Cylinder Head
| Material |
Aluminium |
| Size of cylinder head studs |
⅜ in. U.N.F. |
| Gasket thickness |
.030 in. (.76 mm) Compressed |
Valves
| Position and operation |
Overhead, push rods and rockers |
| Head diameter — Inlet |
1.436 in. / 1.432 in. (36.47/36.37 mm) |
| Head diameter — Exhaust |
1.175 in. / 1.171 in. (29.85/29.74 mm) |
| Angle of valve face — Inlet and Exhaust |
45° |
| Valve stem diameter — Inlet |
.3110 in. / .3105 in. (7.90/7.89 mm) |
| Valve stem diameter — Exhaust |
.3100 in. / .3095 in. (7.87/7.86 mm) |
| Length of valves (inlet and exhaust) |
4.66 in. (118.36 mm) |
Camshaft
| No. of bearings |
3 |
| Type of bearings (front, centre and rear) |
Steel back white metal |
| End thrust |
Location plate at front |
| Drive |
Duplex chain |
| Lubrication |
Oil jet |
| Chain tensioner |
Spring blade |
Lubrication System
| Type of pump |
Eccentric lobe type |
| Types of intake |
Gauze filter on pump |
| Pump drive |
Skew gear on camshaft |
| Normal pressure |
55/65 lbs. sq. in. (3.8/4.5 kg/cm²) at 30 m.p.h. (80 k.p.h.) |
| Filter — Type |
Full flow |
Fuel System
| Fuel pump — Make and type |
A.C. No. E/FP.18808 mechanical |
| Operation |
Lever by eccentric on camshaft |
| Pressure |
1½–2½ lbs/sq. in. (0.11–0.18 kg/cm²) |
Carburettor — Alpine I–III (early)
| Series I — Make / Type |
2 x Zenith, 36WIP.2.12 |
| Series II — Make / Type |
2 x Zenith, 36WIP.2.12 |
| Series III — Make / Type |
2 x Zenith |
| Series III (GT) — Make / Type |
2 x Zenith |
Cooling System
| Type of system |
Pump and fan |
| Type of pump |
Centrifugal |
| Fan — No. of blades (Alpine) |
Six |
| Fan — No. of blades (Rapier) |
Four |
| Fan diameter (Alpine) |
12.70 in. (32.3 cm) |
| Fan diameter (Rapier) |
14.5 in. (36.8 cm) |
| Drive of pump and fan |
“V” belt from crankshaft |
| Cooling system control |
Thermostat |
| Thermostat (bellows type) — Opens at (Alpine) |
162°F (72°C) |
| Thermostat — Fully open at (Alpine) |
185°F (85°C) |
| Thermostat (wax type) — Opens at (All models) |
180°F (82°C) |
Ignition System
| Type of system |
Coil and distributor |
| Firing order |
1 : 3 : 4 : 2 |
| Ignition control |
Fully automatic — Vacuum and centrifugal |
| Ignition timing — full retard |
5°/7° (6.5/9 mm) B.T.D.C. |
| Ignition timing — full retard (low compression) |
8°–10° (10.1/12.8 mm) B.T.D.C. |
| Ignition timing — full retard (all ratios) |
9°–11° (11.5 mm) B.T.D.C. (all ratios) |
| Distributor — Make/type |
Lucas DM2.P4 or Lever LD.3.D |
| Drive |
Skewgear on camshaft and offset coupling |
| Direction of drive |
Anti-clockwise (viewed from above) |
| Firing angle |
0°, 90°, 180°, 270° ± 1° |
| Contact breaker gap |
.015 in. (.38 mm) |
Clutch
| Make |
Borg and Beck |
| Type |
Single dry plate |
| Driven plate diameter |
8–0 in. (20.32 cm) “Borglite” |
| Operation (Series I Alpine, Series III Rapier) |
Hydraulic |
| Operation (Alpine II, Series Rapier IIIA onwards) |
Hydrostatic |
| Thrust bearing |
Carbon ring |
| Free movement at withdrawal lever outer end |
.135 in. (.33 cm) |
Gearbox
| Type |
Four speed and reverse with control ring synchromesh |
| Synchromesh on |
Top, 3rd and 2nd |
| Gearbox ratios — Top |
1.00 : 1 |
| Gearbox ratios — Third |
1.39 : 1 (Alpine III: 1.09:1) |
| Gearbox ratios — Second |
2.14 : 1 |
| Gearbox ratios — First |
3.35 : 1 (Alpine III: 2.96:1) |
| Gearbox ratios — Reverse |
4.24 : 1 |
Propeller Shaft
| Type |
Open shaft (reverse spline) |
| Outside diameter — Alpine |
2 in. (5.1 cm) |
| Universal joint |
Needle roller |
Rear Axle
| Type |
Semi-floating |
| Final drive ratio — Alpine (Series I, II) |
3.89 : 1 (4.22 : 1 with Overdrive) |
| Final drive ratio — Alpine (all Series III) |
3.89 : 1 (4.22 : 1 with Overdrive) |
| Final drive ratio — Rapier (Series IV) |
3.89 : 1 (4.22:1 with Overdrive) |
| Bearings — Bevel pinion |
Taper roller |
| Crown wheel to pinion backlash |
.005 in. / .009 in. (0.127/0.229 mm) |
Front Suspension
| Type |
Independent with unequal length wishbones |
| Spring (Alpine) — Outside diameter (Series I, II) |
3.87 in. (9.84 cm) |
| Castor angle — Alpine |
3° 50′ |
| Wheel camber angle |
0° 30′ ± 15′ |
| Steering axis inclination |
5° 15′ ± ½° |
| Toe-in (track setting) at wall of tyres |
⅛ in. (1.5 mm) |
Rear Suspension
| Type (Alpine Series I) |
Semi-elliptic |
| Type (Alpine Series II) |
Semi-elliptic |
| Number of blades per spring (Series I, II) |
8 |
| Number of clips per spring |
4 |
| Laden camber — on car |
1.12 in. (3 cm) negative to 0 in. (1.2 cm) negative |
Suspension Control
| Shock Absorber — Make (Alpine) |
Armstrong |
| Shock Absorber — Make (Rapier) |
Girling |
| Type |
Hydraulic |
| Linkage |
Rubber bushed |
| Sway eliminator — Type |
Torsion bar between front suspension links |
Steering
| Make and type |
Burman “9” recirculating ball |
| Turns — lock to lock (Alpine) |
3 |
| Turns — lock to lock (Rapier) |
3.15 |
| Steering box ratio (straight ahead) |
14.5 : 1 (16.4:1 from B3830416 R/H; B.3304752 L/H) |
| Total angular movement of drop arm — Alpine |
74° |
Brakes
| Make — Alpine |
Girling |
| Make — Rapier |
Lockheed |
| Type of system |
Hydraulic |
| Front brakes |
Disc |
| Rear brakes |
Leading and trailing shoe |
| Linings — Front |
Don 55 |
| Linings — Front (Alpine III, Rapier IV) |
M.40 |
| Linings — Rear (Alpine and Rapier IV) |
Don 24 |
| Handbrake — Type |
Ratchet and pawl |
| Brake discs — Material |
Cast iron |
| Brake disc diameter (Alpine I, II) |
9.5 in. (24.1 cm) |
| Brake disc diameter (Alpine III) |
9.65 in. (25.5 cm) |
| Brake drums — Material |
Cast iron |
| Brake drums — Diameter |
Rear 9 in. (228.6 mm) |
| Brake lining (rear) |
1.75 in. (44.4 mm) |
| Access to master cylinder |
Under bonnet |
Wheels & Tyres (Alpine)
| Road wheels — type |
Pressed steel disc or wire |
| Size |
4J x 13 |
| No. of wheel studs |
4 |
| Tyres — Size |
5.60 x 13 / 5.90 x 13 / 5.90 x 13 or 6.00 x 13 |
| Normal motoring pressures (5.60 x 13) |
Front: 22 lbs. sq. in. (1.55 kg/cm²), Rear: 22 lbs. sq. in. (1.55 kg/cm²) |
| Fast motoring pressures (5.60 x 13) |
Front: 23 lbs. sq. in. (1.62 kg/cm²), Rear: 23 lbs. sq. in. (1.62 kg/cm²) |
| Fast motoring pressures (6.00 x 13) |
Front: 25 lbs. sq. in. (1.76 kg/cm²), Rear: 25 lbs. sq. in. (1.76 kg/cm²) |
Electrical System
| Battery — Make |
Lucas |
| Battery — Capacity |
38 amp. hr. normal service / 51 amp. hr. (certain export territories) |
| Battery location — Alpine |
Under rear floor |
| Voltage |
12 |
| System |
Positive earth |
| Generator — Make |
Lucas |
| Generator — Type |
C.40–1 |
| Generator — Drive |
“V” belt from crankshaft |
| Starter — Make |
Lucas |
| Starter — Type |
M.35.G |
| Starter — Control type |
Solenoid |
Lighting
| System |
Earth return |
| Headlamp type |
P.700 |
| Sidelamp type — Alpine |
L.594 |
| Flasher unit — Make |
Lucas FL.3 |
| Windscreen wiper — Make |
Lucas |
| Windscreen wiper — Type |
Dual arm, automatic park, dual speed |
| Horn — Make and type (early Alpine) |
Lucas WT.618 |
| Horn — Make and type (later Alpine) |
Clear-Hooter 725 |
| Fuses |
Lucas 4FJ unit, 2 x 35 amp. |
Torque Loading Figures
| Cylinder head (tighten when cold) |
48 lbs. ft. (6.6 kg.m) |
| Crankshaft (mains) |
55 lbs. ft. (7.6 kg.m) |
| Con. rod (big-end) — Series I Alpine, Series III Rapier |
20 lbs. ft. (2.7 kg.m) |
| Con. rod (big-end) — Alpine II, Series Rapier IIIA Onwards |
24 lbs. ft. (3.3 kg.m) |
| Flywheel |
40 lbs. ft. (5.5 kg.m) |
| Gearbox — Mainshaft nuts |
80 lbs. ft. (11.0 kg.m) |
| Rear Axle — Hypoid bevel pinion nut |
110 lbs. ft. (15.2 kg.m) |
| Rear Axle — Axle shaft |
180 lbs. ft. (24.8 kg.m) |
| Propeller Shaft — Universal joint |
50 lbs. ft. (6.9 kg.m) |
| Front Suspension — Fulcrum pin to crossmember (upper) |
48 lbs. ft. (6.6 kg.m) |
| Front Suspension — Fulcrum pin to crossmember (lower) |
32 lbs. ft. (4.4 kg.m) |
| Front Suspension — Eye bolt—trunnion to link |
85 lbs. ft. (11.7 kg) |
| Front Suspension — Ball pin—rack carrier or link |
52 lbs. ft. (7.1 kg.m) |
| Front Suspension — Ball pin—housing to link |
33 lbs. ft. (4.5 kg.m) |
| Front Suspension — Crossmember to frame |
62 lbs. ft. (8.5 kg.m) |
| Front Suspension — Road wheel nut |
48 lbs. ft. (6.6 kg.m) |
| Rear Suspension — Rear spring “U” bolts — Alpine |
42 lbs. ft. (5.8 kg.m) |
| Steering — Box to frame |
30 lbs. ft. (4.1 kg.m) |
| Steering — Relay lever to frame |
30 lbs. ft. (4.1 kg.m) |
| Brakes (Front) — Brake disc to hub |
38 lbs. ft. (5.2 kg.m) |
| Brakes (Front) — Caliper to adaptor |
52 lbs. ft. (7.1 kg.m) |
| Brakes (Front) — Adaptor to carrier |
38 lbs. ft. (5.2 kg.m) |
| Brakes (Rear) — Backplate to casing |
17 lbs. ft. (2.0 kg.m) |
| Brakes (Rear) — Wheel cylinder to backplate |
12 lbs. ft. (1.6 kg.m) |
