Sunbeam Alpine Mark I
The elegant rally-bred roadster that defined 1950s British open-top touring.
- Power
- 80 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 18.9 s
- Top speed
- 95 mph
- Est. value
- $30k–$75k
About the Sunbeam Alpine Mark I
The Sunbeam Alpine Mark I was a two-seater sports roadster developed from the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Saloon, specifically designed to appeal to the North American market. It gained immediate fame through its success in the Alpine Rally, where it earned four Coupe des Alpes trophies. The car features a high-compression version of the 2,267cc engine and a column-mounted gear lever, though many were later converted to floor shifts. Its distinctive styling, featuring long flowing lines and a lack of external door handles, made it a cinematic icon of the era.
Sunbeam Alpine Mark I specs
The Sunbeam Alpine Mark I produces 80 bhp (60 kW) and 163 Nm (120 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 18.9 seconds and has a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h).
| Make | Sunbeam |
|---|---|
| Model | Alpine |
| Generation | Mark I |
| Trim | 2.3 |
| Years | 1953–1955 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Roadster |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 1,582 built |
| Original price | About $2,900 when new |
| Engine | 2.3-litre inline-four |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,267 cc (2.3 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 80 bhp (60 kW) at 4,200 rpm |
| Torque | 163 Nm (120 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 4,500 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 18.9 s |
| Top speed | 95 mph (153 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,335 kg (2,943 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 60 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Sunbeam Alpine Mark I worth?
A typical Sunbeam Alpine Mark I is estimated to be worth $30,000 – $75,000 (about £22,000 – £56,000).
Its original price when new was about $2,900.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Sunbeam Alpine Mark I rarity in CarSpot
The Sunbeam Alpine Mark I is an Epic card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 65 out of 100. Supercars and serious performance cars, typically worth around £100,000 to £250,000. An Epic card is worth 80 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Sunbeam Alpine Mark I fun facts
- Grace Kelly famously drove a sapphire blue Sunbeam Alpine Mark I in the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film 'To Catch a Thief'.
- The Alpine name was chosen to commemorate the success of the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 in the Alpine Rally during the early 1950s.
- Of the 1,582 units produced, it is estimated that fewer than 200 examples of the Mark I and Mark III variants survive today.
