Sunbeam Alpine Steering?

[NixVegaGT]

That's interesting what you said about the Sunbeam vs. Alpine steering in the engine section, Curtis. I was peeping that V6 Alpine project you posted yesterday...

Am I seeing it right? The steering box is behind the front wheels. Very Ford of them. The interesting part was the pitman over the bellhousing! So is that different from the regular Sunbeams? I guess that's a good way of keeping the steering out of the way of the oil pan...

So the tie rods mount to rearward facing spindle arms?

[NixVegaGT]

No luck...

[motormouth]

Nic--I'll look into this steering thing some more. Thanks for keeping the dialogue alive. If I learn anything interesting, will post. Kris

[Moderator]

Did you guys find this Sunbeam Alpine in our photo gallery section? http://www.britishv8.org/Other/RobWiseman.htm

The write-up includes several empty-engine-bay photos, including this one:

[NixVegaGT]

That's an interesting solution! I wonder how well it works...

Hey to all the Sunbeam guys out there!!!

[motormouth]

Thanks Curtis. Hmm. To a guy used to looking at Triumph rack-and-pinion, that Sunbeam setup is a curiosity. Seems like something's missing. :^). Beautiful car, though. Man, the lines on a Sunbeam are nice. Neighbor of mine introduced me to the breed. Had one in primer in his garage for many years, then a kid I met in high school got to use his family's.

[Grits]

Keep in mind I am no pro at this and don't own a Sunbeam but do own a Hillman Husky which the Alpine was created from. I have never really heard that much good about the Alpine or Tiger steering set-up. The photo is identical to my Husky and I want to update it with new motor (V6; sorry) and a rack. To do so I also want to change front crossmember to allow for disc brakes and a rack. I am leaning toward a MGB crossmember to rebuild but don't have all the numbers yet to see it it would work.

[NixVegaGT]

Does the Husky crossmember bolt on? What about fabricating a crossmember out of tube or something?

[Grits]

Nick,
 I have heard first hand people fixing up Huskies and using Alpine crossmember as well as Tigers. All three are interchangable but the Alpine and Tigers have disc brakes and the Tiger uses a rack as apposed to the steering box shown in the photo from the moderator. The Tiger steering I first thought would be my answer as it seems to have what I want but since have learned it has some inheirant problems with its design.
 I have found some Mustang II aftermarketsets and some high-dollar setups for a deeper wallet than mine. The MGB setup might be made to work but need a little more info.
Doug

[BMC]

Kris and Nicolas,

Since your both close to us, if you have a chance, come up and take a look at this alpine with the Ford V6 conversion we have in the shop. I think I have a few more pieces of information on it and might even be able to get the brakes figured out now!

Anyways, I know your both not terribly far away...

-BMC.

[NixVegaGT]

Yeah man. I'm passing through there all the time. I've got family in N. Branch... Where is your shop? You got a website?

[BMC]

Nix,

I sent a PM. Curtis added our website to the vendor directory which you can find on the top bar under contact as well. Believe it or not, Curtis found a way of squeezing blood out of a turnip, that turnip being the cheap scotsman writing this out.

-BMC.