What Euro brands did you own in the past?

[billofdurham]

Sunbeam Alpine:



The Sunbeam Alpine name, previously used on an earlier car, was revived for an all new sports car launched in 1959. It was based on a Hillman Husky floorpan and used the 1494cc 4-cylinder engine from the Sunbeam Rapier. Performance, while not outstanding, was brisk for the day, and handling was well able to cope with the cars power.

The Series II model was launched in 1960 with an increase in engine capacity and improved suspension.

The Series III arrived in 1963 with the option of a GT model that featured a hardtop and 2+2 seating. The GT also had a wood veneer dashboard and more luxurious trim, but all Series III cars were fitted with twin fuel tanks and larger front disc brakes which were now servo assisted.

In January 1964 the the Series IV was introduced. The tail fins on this car were much less pronounced than on the earlier models and other styling changes included a different front grille and redesigned indicators. Automatic transmission became an option on this model and in October 1964 the Alpine received an all synchromesh gearbox.

The final model, the Series V, was introduced in October 1965 and was fitted with a stronger 1725 cc engine, but was only available with manual transmission. Styling was similar to the previous model. The Alpine ended production in January 1969.

However, the Alpine name was to be used again on a totally different design of Sunbeam launched in October 1969.

The Sunbeam Tiger was a collaboration between Rootes Group, the makers of the Sunbeam Alpine, and Carroll Shelby, of AC Shelby Cobra fame, using a Ford 260ci V8 engine. Production was carried out by Jensen Motors who had already produced the Jensen CV8 using a Chrysler V8 engine. The car was named Sunbeam Tiger after Henry Seagraves Sunbeam V12 which had set the world land speed record in 1926.

The only visible differences between the Alpine and the Tiger were wheel covers, stripes, badges and twin exhausts.

Bill.

[holler1]

Thanks, Bill. That is a wealth of information on the Alpine. I don't recall much about the interior of mine. I recall it had wire wheels and at least front disk brakes. I spent some time underneath it as mentioned before. The engine had a knock so I did not run it very hard. Going from the sublime to the ridiculous, I traded it in on a '66 Pontiac GTO with 3- 2 barrel carbs and a big chrome Hurst shifter.

I am currently semi-retired but I hope to attain your "full" state within a couple of years.

[tailor]

I had a Mercedes 1986 200.. stick , no air, heavy as an elephant. It had leaking lines for the central locking... could only open and lock with the key once without having to shove the lock down manually. We did feel really safe in it, with the 2 ltr engine I thought the power to weight ratio was not great and it was like a slug. Nice car to drive on the open road.

We also also had a VW Caravel (Micro bus) like a brick on wheels as far as the shape was concerned, AC and 5 speed stick. I do not think the shape was all that successful here in North America, back in the RSA it was a huge success. I think it had an Audi 5 cylinder engine 2,3 ltr motor not that fast but a reasonable amount of torque. It was brilliant for the amount of space and crap you could throw into it.
My dearly beloved did manage to graunch both the left and the right rear wheel arches within quick succession, I was told, " the walls jumped out at me."

Unfortunately it was pinched, probably used as a taxi in the good old RSA.We never did replace it!

[calbrit01]

Chrysler Simca 1501 GLS
Hillman Avenger
Hillman Dolomite Sprint
Mini 1300
Mini 1500 GT
Mercedes 190E 1.8
Mercedes 190E 2.0
Mercedes 190E 2.0 AMG
VW Polo
Rover 827Si
Ford Zephyr Mk IV
Peugeot 805 Diesel Turbo Estate
Ford Sierra Estate

[unxetas]

Well I'm only 24 so only on my 3rd car at the moment. Had a Fiat Punto back in Portugal, which got completely smashed by a delivery van whilst parked. Replaced that with another Punto (hey, they were cheap!) until I moved out of Europe a few months ago.

As soon as I started looking for a car in Canada, I knew it'd have to be a Volvo

[Paul240480]

Only had one 'eurobox' & the marque is not listed so did'nt vote.
T'was an 81' Opel Kadett 1.3s. Went like stink for what it was & so much better built then the Vauxhalls I had before & after.

[GeorgeKL]

Euros, in order of appearence:
Mini 850cc
Austin 1300 Estate
Austin Maxi 1750 (now that was a shocker!)
Sunbeam Alpine mkVI 1725cc Holbay
Volvo 144 Auto
Triumph 2000 Estate
Land Rover 88" Series 2
Range Rover P38A
Land Rover 90 (as the same time as the RR)
Mini 998cc (in Singapore, regression, I know)
Volvo 240.

In between the above, several Subarus, the last one I bought two months before leaving the UK for good. How was that for foresight?

Also worked in a car dealership for a few years when I was (much) younger so had the opportunity to drive most of the Eurocars made during the 60's 70's and 80's (and a few nice Yank Tanks as well).

[kariba kid]

first car 1938 Austin 10.1942 ford prefect. then a 1960 Pontiac 6 cyl strato chief then a 1964 Pontiac parisienne.traded in on 1968 Chev camaro.then left Canada,while in rhodesia[Zimbabwe] drove a vw/alfa romeo.also fiat 500 had a Renault 10 for a while a great car then a triumph herald now drive Volvo's 240 and a 960 .the best car oh nearly forgot a Mitsubishi colt.Mazda 121.Toyota Camry plus a Nissan van can tell many stories of these cars still think the volvo the pick the 960 the most comfortable long time since i got my first car cheers jack m

[jfl2nd]

Bill has me outdone by several cars, but my history is not dissimilar (lots of imports; I will omit my terrible American cars of the 1960s and 70s): Austin (1958); Peugeot 403 (1962; indestructible); Alfa Romeo convertible (1964); Peugeot 504 diesel (1979; awful service if you could even find it; and the electrical system imploded); VW Rabbit diesel (1981; hot engine cooked oil filter gaskets, allowing oil to spill out); 2 SAAB 3-doors; and then my great Volvos (850 1996, and XC70 awd 2005). My beef with Volvo is that the dealers see you coming for periodic maintenance (such as 120K on my 950 which cost way too much!). -- best to all, -- Jim

[will bj robinson]

one car that I surely regret owning my 88 merkur xR4Ti. the version brought too north america was crap. I only owned it a short time but in that time i must have replaced every switch, handle and knob in the car, the rear tail lights broke so often I had a butane torch in the glove box. I had huge plans for that thing untill the engine detonated. I had the thing rebuilt plained the head and the block bored .2000 and had them put a manuel boost control on the turbo (to lower the boost for break in) all too no avail.....After three more headgaskets and two piston I gave up and sent it to the wreckers. I never figured out exactly what kept popping the head gaskets. Also ive never really loved another car as much. that is until my 854T..