Articles Featuring Red Bearing Projects

Rebuilding a dream roadster

Sunbeam Alpine made a splash in the 1960s

Updated: December 28 at 02:00 AM CST

THE Rootes Group and later Rootes-Chrysler introduced the Series I Sunbeam Alpine roadster in 1959 and continued production until 1968 with the Series V. Originally designed in the late 1950s by Ken Howe for Rootes, it bears a strong resemblance to the early two-seat Thunderbirds that Howe helped design while he previously worked for Ford.

Flattery aside, the Alpine was as much a success for Rootes as the baby T-Birds were for Ford. Powered by a spunky 78-horsepower, 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and backed by a four-speed manual transmission, the Alpine could reach speeds over 160 km/h. Crafted on an 86-inch wheelbase with a curb weight just over 2,200 pounds, the car was very nimble and moderately successful on the rally circuit.

For Shannon Auld, her 1960 Sunbeam Alpine roadster is not only her summer driver, it's also her first car. "I couldn't think of anything I'd rather drive," says Auld. While attending university, Auld is slowly rebuilding the car with spare cash she's managing to scrape together and hopes to have the engine and transmission rebuilt by next spring and get it back on the road.(Another Red Bearing Project). One of 11,904 Series I roadsters produced, it comes with real wire wheels and dual Talbot racing mirrors.

One of the favoured cars to watch during the '60s, the Sunbeam Alpines and their V8-equipped Tiger models turned up in several movies and television series. Making the most notable list is a blue '62 roadster piloted in a chase scene by Agent 007 James Bond in the movie Dr. No. Or how about Elizabeth Taylor scooting around in a Series I roadster in the movie Butterfield 8? On the small screen, it was Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, with a black '65 Sunbeam Tiger in the hit show Get Smart.

For Auld, her objective is a simple one: restore the Alpine and break the stereotype about classic car ownership. "I'd love to show your readers that old British cars aren't just for old men!" Spot on Auld, mission accomplished!

larry.dargis@freepress.mb.ca

(Re)Built for driving '71 MGB roadster sturdy, simple

Updated: November 16 at 02:00 AM CST

IN SPRING of 2005, Dave Emberley of Winnipeg was looking over the Old Car Trader, trying to find a British roadster, when he came upon an ad from Drakes' British Motors in Kelowna.

"That led me to his website where I saw a couple of cars that interested me: a green and an orange MGB," says Emberley. With his neighbour, Werner Matysiak, just about to head for the coast to visit relatives, Emberley asked if Matysiak could test drive the cars and give him his opinion. Owning an MGA, Matysiak was no stranger to the MGB platform and after the evaluations, he told Emberley to purchase the orange 1971 MGB roadster. Using Drakes' delivery service, the car was transported to Winnipeg and Emberley had his car within the week.

Dave Emberley found his 1971 MGB at a B.C. shop specializing in British cars. While it has been restored, he owns it for the joy of driving it. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press )

The MGB was launched in 1962 by British Motor Holdings as a replacement for the highly successful MGA roadster and would achieve Mk II status in 1967. In 1968, British Motor Holdings would become British Leyland Motor Corp. and the MGB would go on to become Britain's best-selling sports car.

Built on a 91-inch wheelbase and weighing 1,940 pounds, the 1971 two-place roadster was sturdy and simple. Equipped with rack and pinion steering and front disc brakes, it handled very well in comparison to the American iron of the day, even if it couldn't outrun it in straight-line acceleration. Power came from a 1,798 cc in-line four-cylinder engine producing 97 horsepower at 5,400 r.p.m. that could propel the MGB from zero to 80.4 km/h in 7.8 seconds.

Emberley's MGB was originally an Arizona car, so there was no rust to be concerned about and the body was in good condition. Inside, the black vinyl interior had received a new dash pad, carpet and seat covers, so it was all very presentable. After driving the car for a couple of summers, Emberley had put on more than 80,000 kilometres and started to look at repairing some of the small, overlooked items. A new console cover was installed and he turned his attention to fixing several switches and lamps that hadn't worked for years. The in-dash radio was there but also wasn't working, so Emberley removed the defective unit and installed a dash block-off plate, converting it to a radio-delete car. Emberley says, "You don't need a radio, you listen to the music the engine makes."

After two years of driving to many of the local shows and events, Emberley pulled the engine out and had Paul McLeod at Red Bearing Automotive Services and Restorations rebuild the four-cylinder powerplant. The block was bored, decked and fitted with a street performance camshaft and the Mallory dual-point distributor was converted to electronic ignition. The cylinder head also got the business and was totally rebuilt, eliminating a couple of burnt valves. Instead of the factory twin SU carburetor induction system, a Weber two-barrel carburetor now takes care of supplying the fuel. Restoration parts for the MGB are readily available from Moss Motors and Victoria British, all of which can be purchased in Canada from Drakes' British Motors in Kelowna.

To make the MGB more comfortable for trips, he installed armrests from a newer model MGB and added a removable luggage rack and wire headlamp guards. Emberley also substituted a three-spoke walnut steering wheel for the factory vinyl wrapped one. Under the car, the rear suspension was rebuilt and a new tube shock conversion installed replacing the old knee-shock arrangement. The car is also equipped with the optional wire wheels driving tube-type radial tires and there's also a full-size spare in the trunk. A vinyl tonneau cover can be used to keep out the elements or the full convertible top can easily be raised over the passenger compartment. To bring out the lustre in the paint, Emberley colour-sanded it with 2,000-grit finishing paper and followed it up by hand rubbing with polishing compound.

Definitely not a stock restoration, the MGB was built for driving and Emberley is continuing his quest for upgrades. Currently equipped with the factory four-speed manual transmission, the search continues for an original overdrive transmission or a conversion to a five-speed manual gearbox. The extra gear will go a long way in reducing the r.p.m. and engine wear on the highway as well as decrease fuel consumption. "My wife, Heather, and I want to take a trip to Kamloops to see our son, Ryan, and daughter-in-law, Linsey, then continue down the West Coast to Pasadena, California and visit our son, Ethan, and partner, Zarene," says Emberley. "Then we'd like to travel east along what's left of the old Route 66 before heading home."