Larry Macy had this to say:
>I have a friend, (well actually Reg is on the list, but a little behind
>in his mail) that was doing a Sunbeam Alpine resto. His major comment -
>The parts are WAY too expensive and you will never make up the value of
>the cost of restoring one. Little to no resale value, even for a perfect
>restoration.
>
>Larry
Umm, what is different in that description from an MGB? OK, MG parts are
cheaper, but the cars are more common (by a factor of 15 or so), and you
still can't make your money back on a resto. More potential buyers, I
suppose, but "commonness" holds the price down, too.
Until you get up to more "prestigious" marques (A-H, Jaguar), it's all a
labor of love, anyway, with no hope of recouping expenses. The labor cost
is always the biggest factor in a resto, and it's essentially the same
for a Sprite as for a Bentley (allowing for size and number of
components).
I say, if you think you would like an Alpine, go for it. I certainly
wouldn't let "investment
potential" considerations hold you back. My pal drove one that he had
rebuilt from a basket case, for 10 years as a daily driver. He still
regrets it was totalled in a multi-car pile-up (not his fault).
Compared to a CBB, a stock Alpine is more solid (less "rattly"), with a
taller windscreen and roofline, a larger boot (depending on the year) and
smaller wheels (13"). It has a slightly softer ride and less power and
acceleration, but makes a good long-distance cruiser. Many Alpines you
see have been modified with high-performance suspensions, etc, as if they
were Tigers; this may or may not be an improvement.
IMO, FWIW..
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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