Cover model: Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans – Has its roots in motorsport

Not long ago the open Sunbeam Alpine was featured here, but now it’s the turn of its rare, closed sibling, the Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans.

The Sunbeam Harrington Le Mans is not a regular model that rolled off the Sunbeam production line, but a roadster converted by coachbuilder Harrington and equipped with a fiberglass coupe roof.

Sunbeam Harrington

The decision to customize an Alpine was not surprising as Harrington already specialized in the sales, tuning and accessories of Rootes Group products.

Sunbeam’s confidence in quality is demonstrated by the fact that the coupe can be ordered through a number of selected dealers and then retains the full factory warranty.

The adjustments are pretty drastic. The rear is converted to fit the roof and the trunk lid is shortened. Converted once
It is therefore not so easy to restore the Alpine to its original condition.

But why do you want that? Who sees Harrington
looks delicious and somewhat resembles a small Aston Martin DB4.

Harrington Le Mans

After a Harrington coupe enjoyed some success at Le Mans, a second variant was soon brought onto the market, aptly named “Le Mans”.

This time the conversion continues and a completely redesigned rear is installed, without tail fins and with a strongly sloping rear, which is equipped with a large tailgate.

There are three small, round taillights on either side directly above the bumper. Whether it is beautiful remains subjective, but it is definitely exclusive. The Le Mans is sold finished through the dealer and no longer as a conversion to order.

However, the numbers remain low: around 250 units will be built, half of which will go to the other side of the Atlantic.

In the meantime, the regular coupe remains available. This gets a modified roof with side windows and a third door, like the Le Mans, but retains its fins.

The future is not bright

Ultimately, a small, final series follows, based on the Alpine Series III and IV. Although Rootes takes over a share in the Harrington family business, the future does not look bright for either.

There was no additional work for the coachbuilder, a flirtation with Triumph failed and in 1965 all body work was stopped.

It is estimated that 384 Alpines were converted. The very last one is a unique example, a coupé based on the Tiger V8, which has enjoyed legendary status in Alpine circles for years.

Offer and prices

Despite the low production numbers, some Harrington Le Mans can still be found. Two are in Switzerland and one in France. Prices are roughly between 50 and 90 grand.

In Great Britain, a Le Mans race with a long history of competition will go under the hammer on November 11th. Proceeds are estimated at £45,000.

“Normal” Harrington coupes are not available at the time of writing, but the price level of cars sold so far is on par with or even higher than the Le Mans.