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Car of the Day: April 6, 2010; Johnny Lightning '67 Sunbeam Alpine
Topic Started: Apr 6 2010, 03:05 AM (561 Views)
james_autos
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Minivan
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Today's car of the day is Johnny Lightning's 1967 Sunbeam Alpine.

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Quote:
 
The Sunbeam Alpine is a sporty two seat open car or coupé from Rootes Group's Sunbeam car marque. The original was launched in 1953 as the first vehicle to bear the Sunbeam name alone since the 1935 takeover of Sunbeam and Talbot by the Rootes Group.
The Series II of 1960 featured an enlarged 1592 cc engine producing 80 bhp and revised rear suspension but there were few other changes. When it was replaced in 1963 19,956 had been made.[1]
A Series II with hardtop and overdrive was tested by the The Motor magazine in 1960 and they recorded a top speed of 98.6 mph (158.7 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.6 seconds and a fuel consumption of 31.0 miles per imperial gallon (9.11 L/100 km; 25.8 mpg-US). The test car cost £1110 including taxes.


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For more information and pictures of the real car please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam_Alpine

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I think this one was produced by JL to replicate the one used in the TV series 'Get Smart'. The one used in the series was actually a Sunbeam Tiger which had a V8 engine. You'd never think it, would you? A 4.3L V8 in a car the size of a shoe! This version however is a bit more dosile, which suits it better if you ask me. I think JL did a nice job on this one and for once I think they got the scale just about spot on, unlike the rest of the cars from the 'British Invasion' line.
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

I agree with your last point James, JL did have some troubles scaling wise on British cars. They all tended to be way too big esp compared to the American stuff they issued. This Sunbeam looks quite nice in this light shade of lavender.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
I wouldn't mind seeing a return of this casting!-----if the tools are not bound up in some ownership legalities ("currently not available").
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
http://jlcollector.com/651.html

This one's from the first release of "British Invasion". The "Get Smart" version is red. As for why this casting is closer to scale, I think it appeared in the James Bond line first. Likewise the E-Type was from Hollywood On Wheels" representing "Austin Powers". The cars tooled up originally for British Invasion have all got to be close to 1/43!
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
I know that whoever worked on the Bug Eye Sprite should've been given a urinalysis. Yes, it was closer to 43 than anything else! The thing was, its appearance was shameful. I wouldn't even buy it. It resembled a third rate soap box racer.

The Alpine's nice. Yes, Max's Tiger was red! Over here, some rinky-dink cable network's showing reruns of 'Get Smart' during the day- on one episode, they showed an ambulance conversion on the 1964-66 Chevy panel body, in red, which just sparkled. Wow, would that one have been great done to scale. I also have the James Bond Alpine in royal blue.

My fave of the 'British Invasion' series was the MGB. That was sweet!
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james_autos
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This one's from the first release of "British Invasion". The "Get Smart" version is red.


I knew that! I got this one with the rest of the British Invasion models in a lot from ebay. I knew JL would have produced the Sunbeam for 'Get Mart' or 'Dr No', but I couldn't make my mind up which one came first. I did see a picture of the red 'Get Smart' model but I don't think it looks any different to this one.

As for the rest of the British Invasion range, I'll say what I've said before. It could have been great, but it was just a complete disaster. The castings weren't bad - they were just a little on the large side, definately closer to 1:43 than 1:64. I see great potential for Matchbox to re-create these castings in the future. An MGB or preferably and MGB-GT wouldn't go a miss (fingers crossed).
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JustDavid
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SUV
Cute car...not one I've ever seen in person, 1:1 or scale.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
David, there was a period in this country that owning (or just driving) a Sunbeam Alpine was a very "Preppy" thing to do. I was too young to be part of it, but I can see it was probably a wonderful experience. Bring back that casting!! :thumbup:
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