Hi,

After competing in a Historic Rally in Holland last year (1959 Morris Minor) and then watching other UK events I have decided to sell my modern Road Rally Enduro spec rally car and put together a Historic Rally car.
My plan would be to do a HRC Rally Championship (not Stage rallying) and maybe a big event like the "Rally of the Test" or the "Monte Challenge" or some other European classic Historic event.

Plus enjoy driving the car on a sunny days or whenever the mood takes my hence a convertible / hard top sports car.

Which one, what year etc etc.

I think I have finally decided on a Sunbeam Alpine Series 2 (born in 1962) or a Pre 1968 Series 4 or 5 (1750 engine). If the Lottery comes up next week then a Tiger.

I am looking for Rally car specifications and pictures of the Works Series 1 and 2 and the later Tiger suspension.
I have purchased "Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger (The complete story) " by Graham Robson which confirms they were rallied and has some exterior pictures but no specifications or interior pictures.

Any help or guidance on where I can find this information will be greatly appreciated. Plus general info on what to look for when buying an Alpine.

Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul,

I would be happy to help if I can. I wrote a series of articles in the Horn 161, 162,163, 164 & 165 which may help a little.

The other place with good information is the hrcr website

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

The best contact for info is Andy Gibson.

Personally I would suggest a series 4 or 5. The emphasis overall is not on speed but the special tests do require a certain amount of quick driving and manourvering, my series 5 is well suited to that. The large boot space helps with the number of tools I carry!

You will need to install a tripmeter, somewhere to display/hold stop watches and ideally a fire extinguisher. The outside of the car must look as standard as possible. I have personally installed twin Webers so tuning, provided it fits with year of manufacturer, is allowed.

I would NOT get a Tiger. V6s and V8s are frowned upon in the rules, you would need to get permission everytime you compete. It is usually given but not always if there is a large entry. Besides most of the rallys are regularites and not time dependent and the special tests are so short that very little advantage is given to faster cars. Nimble cars are best (minis do well) a lighter weight series 5 would be as fast as a Tiger. I have proven that on many occassions.

Tigers are more suitable to Stage Rallying but that is a different ball game. You would need a budget of over £10,000 per year.

I would not go with the Rally of the Tests too soon. Pick a simple road rally like the Hughes Rally first. This year it is on the 31st May.

There is not much documentation in libraries etc, so my best advice is to ask the HRCR as above.

if you would like to ask any more questions, please do so.

Regards

Peter Kleyn

Any news on progress, Paul?

The next main HRCR rally is the Regis on 24th October 2009.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Peter

Peter,
I have sent you an Email.

Hope to be out on an event later this year.

Sorry but not in a Alpine.

Paul