1963 Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans

Lot details
Registration No: 654 FAC
Chassis No: B9117714
Mot Expiry: None

Introduced at the October 1961 Earl's Court Motor Show, the Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans was intended to capitalise on the Index of Thermal Efficiency win that a Works Sunbeam Alpine fitted with fastback coupe bodywork by Thomas Harrington Ltd of Hove had scooped at that year's Le Mans 24-hours race. Driven by Peter Harper and Peter Proctor, the car in question - road registered as '3000 RW' - recorded an average speed of over 91mph to finish 15th overall and 2nd-in-class behind a Porsche 356B Carrera Abarth GTL. Taking a standard 1.6 litre Sunbeam Alpine Series II as its donor, the Harrington Le Mans was no stripped-out racer. Intended to appeal to would-be GT buyers and primarily aimed at the American market, the model featured a fully-carpeted interior complete with wooden dashboard, folding / occasional rear bench seat, capacious load area and opening rear quarter lights. Moulded from fibreglass, its signature fastback roof successfully transformed the look of the base Sunbeam design (though, deleting the rear wing fins helped too). Sleek and stylish, the 2+2 seater could be had with a wide range of options including an oil cooler, brake servo and 'Le Mans' state of engine tune. However, an asking price of $3,995 Stateside (versus $2,800 for the standard Alpine) meant that it was barely cheaper than a Chevrolet Corvette. Capable of over 100mph, the Harrington Le Mans proved a surprisingly capable rally car. Nevertheless, production lasted for just fifteen months and resulted in a scant 250 sales.

The vendor informs us that prior to his acquisition in May 2007 this particular example had belonged to the same family from new. A desirable 'home market' car, the Sunbeam was seemingly complete but had been fitted with a replacement Rootes Group 1.6 litre engine at some stage. Last issued with a MOT certificate during late January 2007, '654 FAC' is said to have been running since then (but currently has its radiator and battery disconnected). Fitted with four-speed manual plus overdrive transmission, this Harrington Le Mans has the making of a worthwhile restoration project. Riding on silver-painted wire wheels, it is offered for sale with a V5C Registration Document, sundry old tax discs and assorted MOT certificates (dating back to 1987).