Sunbeam Alpine Roadster wins Lakeland Motor Museum award

The Sunbeam Alpine Roadster, thought to be one of only five remaining examples of a works rally team, was presented with the "Best of Boxing Day" Trophy by the museum.

The vehicle was restored over 19 years by Roy Odams, a train driver from Crewe, Cheshire.

The car before it was restored (Image: Lakeland Motor Museum)

Mr Odams passed away in October 2015 and the car is now driven by his son Steve, a resident near Shap in Cumbria.

Steve Odams said: "It was a real surprise to pick up the trophy but I’m very proud because my father put so much work and effort into bringing the Alpine back to life.

"He had no restoration skills when he bought it and even went back to college to get them."

The Sunbeam Alpine Roadster was first registered in May 1955 and one of six factory team cars specifically manufactured for that year’s Alpine Rally after which the model was named.

Eventually, in 1984, Roy Odams realised his dream, acquiring one over the telephone without having seen it.

Progressing from zero restoration experience, Mr Odams attended a night school metal work course.

Upon retirement, he immersed himself in a full-time restoration programme at Manchester College of Arts and Technology.

The car at the event (Image: Lakeland Motor Museum)

Steve Odams added: "It took him 19 years to get the car how he wanted it – finally finishing the restoration in the summer of 2003."

"He then had the joy of driving it all over the place for the next 10 to 12 years before ill health prevented that."

Following Roy Odams death in 2015, the car required additional maintenance.

His son undertook the task, investing two to three years to bring it back to pristine condition.

He said: "It’s great once it gets rolling but is quite heavy driving to start with as it has no power steering.

"But it turns heads wherever we go and I think that would make my father really proud."

The Lakeland Motor Museum’s Curator, Chris Lowe, said: "You can see why it turns heads – it’s very stylish and such a lot of effort has gone into getting it into this condition.

"It’s a very worthy winner of the Best of Boxing Day trophy."

The prestigious award was presented during the museum’s Classic Drive and Ride in Day on Boxing Day, attracting some of the largest crowds in the event's history.

The work's team Alpines underwent several modifications from standard vehicles.

It now boasts a 2267cc engine and one of its sister cars sold at auction in 2018 for more than £50,000.

Mr Lowe added: "The Alpine is from a key era in motorsport history.

"The Alpine Rally it was built for, in 1955, didn’t take place because of the tragic events at that year’s Le Mans race where 83 spectators and a driver died following an accident.

"That incident changed motorsport for ever and led to many safety improvements."