Wilfred Potter's Ford 302 V8 Powered 1954 Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine
Owner: Wilfred Potter
Model: 1954 Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine
Engine: 1991 Ford 302 V8
Conversion performed by: Wilfred and his son Jim
Wilfred wrote:
I purchased the 1954 Alpine knowing there was a reason for the body putty under
the rockers. After getting the car home, we discovered the rust to be much worse
than I assumed. The car had a V-8 with a stock front end and to say it was cobbled
together is a kind description of the work. There were traffic signs posing as
floor boards and the putty was inches thick in places in the body.
My son Jim and I completely disassembled the car and discovered it needed all new
floors (including trunk, door bottoms and a new firewall.) The original "fabrication"
consisted of metal screws and sheet metal sign pieces screwed together (no welding),
and then everything covered with body putty. We removed the body from the frame and
sent it to the dip strippers to take the body to bare metal. While the body was at the
strippers, I completely modified the frame.
I removed the stock front end assembly and installed a Ford Mustang II crossmember,
tubular A-arms, coil over shocks, Mustang II spindles, 11" disc brakes, and a power
rack & pinion from "Fatman". An "Iditit" tilt steering column controls the new
front end. Ford V-8 mounts were added and the stock frame x-member was removed. A
new transmission mount for the Ford AOD ("automatic overdrive" four speed) was
fabricated. New early-Mustang leaf springs replaced the nine leaf stock units.
A new rear shackle mount had to be made for the springs. They carry a narrowed 9"
Traction-Lok (3.08:1) rear end, with drum brakes. Since the stock frame is underslung,
a hoop shock mount was made for the rear. A fuel cell, electric pump and braided
stainless fuel lines were added including a return line for a (future) fuel
injection system later.
Upon return of the body, a setback firewall and new floors (including trunk) were
made from 16 gage steel and welded in. A power-boosted brake system was hung on
the fire wall and new steel lines w/ residual valves were installed. Other replaced
parts include: aftermarket wiring (all wiring is done by my son, Jim), taillights,
66 Mustang seats, a Mustang floor shifter, and a Lokar emergency brake lever system.
After replacement of the structural panels, the car was assembled with the new parts
to finish construction before painting.
After fitment of the new parts was completed and rechecked, the car was completely
disassembled for painting. Now the body shop is completing the body work and primering
the car so that we can be reassemble it before it is painted the finish coats. The
body shop, Sporty Car Garage, is painting it a Mazda color that matches the original
Alpine Mist Blue of the car (think Grace Kelly "To Catch a Thief" blue). When I get it
back from Sporty Car Garage, we will install a tan interior in the car.
The engine in the Alpine is a stock 1991 Mustang 302. The stock fuel injection will
be used if we can figure out the wiring.
How It Was Done
Looks can be so deceiving... this is actually the before picture!
This Alpine needed to be stripped all the way down and put back together right.
A rotisserie facilitated substantial chassis modifications.
Installation of the Mustang II crossmember and spring perches.
A new transmission mount for the Ford AOD ("automatic overdrive" four speed) was fabricated.
1991 Mustang 302 V8 engine, shown here with aftermarket intake manifold and carburetor.
11" disc brakes with vented rotors,
Narrowed 9" Traction-Lok (3.08:1) rear end, with drum brakes.
The chemically-stripped 1954 Alpine body is reunited with the frame.
New fabricated steel transmission/driveshaft tunnel.
Embossments will stiffen the new floor and help reduce noise.
Similar floorboards were installed in the trunk area.
New power steering rack and pinion from Fatman Fabrications.
Now, with the first phase of painting done, the Alpine bodyshell is ready for some reassembly.
This is a Mazda color that matches the original Alpine "Mist Blue".
A flush-mounted fuel filler lid is part of the streamlining of this Alpine.
A removeable panel will facilitate fuel system service.
Engine Installation
A dual-circuit master cylinder and power brakes were initially installed in the stock location.
Custom made to clear the Alpine's frame, the headers were built from a nifty Speedway Motors kit.
Headers come off... an entirely different induction system goes on.
The throttle cable hookup, and also the throttle valve cable for the Ford AOD tranmission.
The custom headers were ceramic coated by Esthetic Finishers in Piqua, Ohio.
FSR Racing Products (of Memphis TN) provided the custom aluminum radiator.
Flex-drive (cable type) windshield wiper system from Specialty Power Windows in Forsyth, GA.
The engine control module is located in the cabin. Wiring passes through a grommet under the wiper motor.
The chrome sidepipes also came from Speedway Motors.
Brake System
Brake pedal linkage.
Remote brake master cylinder and power brake booster.
The rear axle has now been upgraded to a Ford 11" disc brake set up.
Interior
Other essential components: a gear selector and an Ididit tilting steering column were fitted.
To fit a modern aftermarket speedometer in the original instrument panel, an adapter was required...
...so I made a new Rosewood instrument panel with a smaller speedometer hole.
The engine ECU is tucked away into a compartment off the passenger-side footbox.
(Close-up view of the engine control module.)
We considered Ford Mustang seats (shown here), but now plan to use Speedway Motors low-back bucket seats.
A Speedway low-back bucket seat is shown in this view.
Exterior
