1969 Lotus Seven vs. 1976 Sunbeam Alpine
To start off, 1976 Sunbeam Alpine is newer by 7 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1969 Lotus Seven. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1969 Lotus Seven would be higher. At 1,725 cc (4 cylinders), 1976 Sunbeam Alpine is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1969 Lotus Seven (114 HP @ 5500 RPM) has 43 more horse power than 1976 Sunbeam Alpine. (71 HP @ 5000 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1969 Lotus Seven should accelerate faster than 1976 Sunbeam Alpine. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1976 Sunbeam Alpine weights approximately 434 kg more than 1969 Lotus Seven.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, both vehicles can yield 123 Nm of torque. So under normal driving conditions, the ability to climb up hills and pull heavy equipment should be relatively similar for both vehicles. 1976 Sunbeam Alpine has automatic transmission and 1969 Lotus Seven has manual transmission. 1969 Lotus Seven will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1976 Sunbeam Alpine will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 1969 Lotus Seven | 1976 Sunbeam Alpine | |
| Make | Lotus | Sunbeam |
| Model | Seven | Alpine |
| Year Released | 1969 | 1976 |
| Engine Size | 1558 cc | 1725 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Horse Power | 114 HP | 71 HP |
| Engine RPM | 5500 RPM | 5000 RPM |
| Torque | 123 Nm | 123 Nm |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
| Vehicle Weight | 576 kg | 1010 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 3380 mm | 4430 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1560 mm | 1650 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 950 mm | 1410 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2240 mm | 2510 mm |
