Well, I have survived on the roads for the past 38 years with the
drophead coupe and can't remember when I have come close to having to
perform a performance manoeuvre, but I'm sure the 12" finned brake drums
(do the Series cars have drums this large?) will bring me to a pretty
secure stop in time if required. I also drive defensively, not
aggressively. BTW, the steering is 2.5 turns lock to lock which allows for
some precise handling if required. Of course it doesn't handle like a
sports car (they weigh 3,000 lbs, even the MK Alpines) but must they have
had some redeeming engineering features to be able to win or place in, I
believe 5 Alpine Rallies in the early to mid fifties and in the 4 door
sedans, sorry, saloons.
Try one out sometime, if you can find one. You might just like it.
Later,
Bob
At 10:26 PM 10/25/2000 -0400, jeyerman@ix.netcom.com wrote:
>Bob,
>
>You do not mention handling or having to stop hard when some idiot cuts in
>front of you or does some other stupid maneuver. The problem is handling
>and braking.
>
>Jan
>
>
>Bob Hamilton <hamilton@accesswave.ca> wrote:
> > Geltlemen,
>
> Ah, but there is no comparison between the 2.3 litre Sunbeam
>Talbot OHV engine and an early Hillman Minx. I cruise comfortably at 60-65
>mph all day (~3,000 rpm) if required in any of my Sunbeam Talbots and MKI
>Alpine. I have logged over 3,500 miles this year alone on the 1953 Alpine.
>They are a comfortable touring car, not a bumpy little sports car....(I can
>hear the keyboards pounding now! ........smile...)
>
>Later,
>Bob
>
>
>At 09:54 PM 10/25/2000 -0400, jeyerman@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> >I too have had the itch for a somewhat exotic car-being a Hillmanite, the
> >car was a 1951 Hillman Minx. A mistake.... why? I loved the car, it was
> >neat but it had an absolute top speed of about 60 MPH and that sounded and
> >felt like it was about to take off or blow it's poor little engine all
> >over the macadam. That really wasn't the main problem though- at 40 MPH
> >it felt like a modern car doing 120 .... on ice. Handling was terrible
> >(even with a rebuilt suspension). So, a 10 mile trip to a local car show
> >was an experience you would not want to repeat. I could have trailered it
> >but what is the fun in that?
> >
> >A Series I Alpine is a very driveable car-it goes, turns and stops with
> >modern cars-thus road trips can be fun. A Sunbeam Talbot 90 might not be
> >as much fun an Interstate. It will probably go OK, but the handling and
> >braking will be pure early 1950's.... pretty poor. You will develop a
> >great admiration of the skill and courage of the drivers who rallied it
> >accross the Alps in Winter....
> >
> >Jan Eyerman
> >1959 Hillman Minx
> >1973 Plymouth Cricket
> >ex-owner of 2 1951 Hillmans plus about 100 other Rootes sedans, wagons and
> >convertibles.
> >
> >bmounce@impop.bellatlantic.net wrote:
> > > You're crazy; God bless you!
> >
> >I have noted over the years that people who like offbeat/unusual/not
> >run-of-the-mill/etc cars strive for increasingly rare and unusual cars to
> >increase the challenge and draw admiring glances from the average person
> >and even from the people who drive 'exotic' cars, like Ferraris. This is
> >healthy!
> >
> >If you've asked the question, you know the answer- scratch your itch!
> >
> >Bill
> >
> >Alex & Peggy McGregor wrote:
> >
> > > I'm thinking of selling my S1 and buying a 54 Talbot Drophead Coupe.
> > > Anybody want to tell me I'm crazy and/or offer encouragement, and why?
>
>=========================================================
>Robert (Bob) A.C. Hamilton, Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada
>The Man of Many Sunbeams - Alpine, Drophead and Saloon 1953-1954
>[Stable mates - 1973 Midget and 1968 M-B 280SE]
>Home Page: www.navnet.net/~hamilton
>BATANS Home Page: www.batans.ns.ca
>E-Mail: hamilton@accesswave.ca
>=========================================================
=========================================================
Robert (Bob) A.C. Hamilton, Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Man of Many Sunbeams - Alpine, Drophead and Saloon 1953-1954
[Stable mates - 1973 Midget and 1968 M-B 280SE]
Home Page: www.navnet.net/~hamilton
BATANS Home Page: www.batans.ns.ca
E-Mail: hamilton@accesswave.ca
=========================================================
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