One of approximately 250 Harrington Le Mans cars produced, and a rare right-hand-drive example
Documented period competition history, including the 1962 International Scottish Rally and the RAC Rally
Well-known car in enthusiast circles, listed on the International Sunbeam Harrington Association's surviving-vehicle register
Accompanied by an extensive history file with period competition documentation and restoration records
Recommissioned in 2023 by Mech Repairs of Cheltenham
The Appeal
The Sunbeam Alpine Harrington Le Mans is among the rarest derivatives of the Rootes Group's elegant sports car. Featuring distinctive coachbuilt fastback bodywork by Thomas Harrington Ltd, the Le Mans variant transformed the Alpine's silhouette and improved its aerodynamics. Only around 250 were made, and right-hand-drive examples are particularly scarce.
This car's appeal extends well beyond its rarity. Originally registered '2EGG' and supplied new in 1962 to Scottish racing driver John Melvin, it was entered in both the International Scottish Rally that June and the RAC Rally in November, the latter with motoring journalist Graham Gauld as co-driver. Their exploits are recorded in a first-hand account published by the International Sunbeam Harrington Association, complete with a period photograph of the car preparing for the rally in Blackpool. The car is listed on the association's surviving-vehicle register under chassis number B9108952.
Following its competition career, the car was acquired by enthusiast George McWaters in the 1970s and underwent a restoration, emerging in its present Forest Green livery with biscuit leather upholstery, green piping and green wool carpets. Mechanical upgrades carried out during this period include an uprated 2.0-litre engine with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, an alloy cylinder head converted for unleaded fuel, overdrive, uprated brakes with adjustable shock absorbers and a high-capacity alloy radiator.
Recommissioned in 2023 by Mech Repairs of Cheltenham, the car presents as a characterful older restoration with genuine period rally provenance. The current owner purchased it at auction in September 2026 but found the driving position too compact for comfort, and it is therefore reluctantly offered for sale having been driven just once during this ownership.image.png5.73 MB
Key Information
Mileage: 37,140 miles indicated on the replacement odometer; the estimated total mileage is approximately 100,000 miles
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT/road tax exempt
Technical specs: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, four-speed manual with overdrive
Paperwork: history file including period competition documentation, previous registration information, restoration records, specialist correspondence and Harrington register material
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