Larry Colen asked about Alpines. You came to the right place. By the
time you finish this, you'll probably wish you'd never asked....
1. Identification
(from the 1990 Victoria British Catalog)
Series Engine Production Years Chassis IDs Production Total
------ ------ ---------------- ----------- ----------------
1 1494cc Oct 59 - Oct 60 B9000001 to 11,904
B9011904
2 1592cc Oct 60 - Feb 63 B9100001 to 19,956
B9119956
3 1592cc Mar 63 - Jan 64 B9200001 to 5,863
B9205863
4 1592cc Jan 64 - Sep 64 B9400001 to 7,936
B9407936
4* 1592cc Sep 64 - Sep 65 B94100001 to 4,470
B94104470
5 1725cc Sep 65 - Jan 68 B395000001 to 19,122
B395019122 ------
TOTAL 69,251
* All-syncho transmission introduced.
The chassis and engine block numbers will be the same if the car has
the original engine. The chassis ID number is found stamped on a
plate secured to the hood lock platform. The engine ID number is
stamped low on the right side of the engine block, near the fuel pump.
2a. Pricing
(from the April 1990 issue of "British Car")
GOOD POINTS
Still goodlooking, more unique than TR4s/TR6s or MGBs of the sixties,
and better built. Comfortable ride and good handling, parts readily
available, club support.
BAD POINTS
More rust-prone than its rivals, early engines tended to wear or break
prematurely. Not generally recognized as readily as MG or Triumph.
VALUE GUIDE
Condition: 5 4 3 2 1
Value: $300 $800 $1800 $3500 $6000
INVESTMENT GUIDE
Although over 69,000 Alpines were built, they seem scarce now. While
values today are below those of equal MGs and Triumphs, they will be
going up soon, eventually outstripping its rivals. Its association
with the simmilarity to the sought-after Tiger can only enhance, much
like the AC Ace following the AC Cobra's lead. Buy now cheap; short
term increases slow, but in two years, massive appreciation.
2b. (From the June 1989 issue of "Restoring Classic Cars")
PRICE GUIDE
Alpine prices are still pretty reasonable, when you consider what
you are getting for your money. Even the very best cars don't
normally fetch more than about #5000, though some hopefuls have been
advertising examples at #6000 recently.
There's no shortage of basket-case examples around, but you
shouldn't expect to pay much more than #600 for one of those. And
remember that restoration costs will probably be expensive. Think in
terms of #3000-#4000 to have the body shell done (cheaper if you can
do it yourself of course) and don't expect to get much change of of
#10,000 for a full professional rebuild.
Moving up the scale a bit, #1500 should buy you a tatty but fairly
sound car with an MoT worthy of the paper it's printed on. For #2500,
you ought to be able to find something fairly decent, perhaps in need
of a little tidying but perhaps also already partly restored. Make
sure that partial restoration was done properly, though!
The really nice Alpines start at #4000 or so. For this money, you
should get something you can be proud of. Look after it!
(What's the pound this days? $1.65?)
2c. Personal opinions
I've always considered the Alpine to be the moral equivalent of MGBs
(of the sixties) and TR4s (but not TR4As, due to the suspension
differences). But Alpines don't have the macho image or racing
heritage of those other two. If you want to race, I wouldn't get an
Alpine. But for a fun, distinctive, top-down cruiser, an Alpine is
just as good as the others.
Someone else mentioned Alpine prices possibly following in the
footsteps of the Tiger. Tiger prices have been levelling and even
falling recently. The October 1990 "British Car" states: "The Tiger
has been recently highly speculated upon, with profit-seeking dealers
and private owners anticipating it to follow in the footsteps of the
Cobra. Obviously that has not happened, and asking prices (up to
$100K!) have dropped back to pre-inflation levels." They list a #1
Tiger at $25,000. I wouldn't expect Alpines to top the $10,000 mark
for a while yet. Besides, it took a while for the Ace to follow the
Cobra. If the Tiger goes out of reach, it will still take a couple
of years for the Alpine to follow.
Given that Alpines are equivalent to TR4s/MGBs, I'd check around in
your area and see what the going prices are for those cars that are
similar in condition to the Alpine in question, and price the Alpine
accordingly.
Hope this helps,
--------------------------------------------------------------------
T.J. Higgins uunet!ingr!higgins (UUCP)
Intergraph Corp. M/S IW17A3 higgins@ingr.com (Internet)
One Madison Industrial Park
Huntsville, AL 35894-0001 "Well-weathered leather, hot metal
(205) 730-7922 and oil, the scent of country air"
-Rush
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