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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  27 Nov 2016 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  52
• Lot Description:
  1962/63 SUNBEAM ALPINE LE MANS REPLICA
  Chassis no: B9111678LRXSB; Engine no: HCM13722
• Notes:
  Sunbeam cars were made from 1899 by John Marston Ltd of Wolverhampton, England, but it was the arrival of Breton, Louis Coatalen ten years later that established the fine reputation of this marque. Responsible for many successful models, the Sunbeam firm, in several guises, survived two World - Wars and the Great Depression before the takeover by Chrysler in 1968 which brought Sunbeam to an end. Sunbeam was acquired by the Rootes Group in 1935 and a considerable investment was made after the War in a new range of models. The Alpine Mark 1, introduced in 1953, was a leading member of this new model range and it filled its role for Sunbeam by establishing a strong foot-hold in the medium price sporting - car market. A new Alpine model, known as the Series 1, was introduced in 1959 and remained in production until the then Series V was discontinued in 1968. In all, 70,000 Alpines from Series 1 to Series V were produced. The vehicle on offer is a 1962 Series 11 Alpine which has been modified in the form of a Le Mans replica. Rootes Group engineers, Kenneth Howes and Jeff Crompton, were responsible for the design of the Series 1 Sunbeam Alpine, created principally for the U S market. Design cues were clearly taken from the Ford Thunderbird of this period as Howes had worked at Ford before joining the Rootes Group. The new Alpine floor pan was modified from a Hillman Husky and the majority of mechanical components were borrowed from other Rootes Group models. The main specifications included a 1500cc, ohv 4-cylinder engine with four speed gearbox, independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic springs and Girling brakes, disc front, drum rear. Overdrive and wire wheels were optional extras. With the Series 11, introduced in 1962, the engine capacity was increased to 1592cc taking the output to 80bhp. Revisions were also made to the rear suspension and a total of 19,956 units were produced. In 1960, a road test in the British 'Motor' magazine found the Series 1 Alpine capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 13.6 seconds with a top speed of 158 kph and a very respectable 31 mpg fuel economy. The price of the car as tested was 1,110 GB pounds. Over the years, Sunbeam cars were used in many competition events and, in 1961, a Series 1 Alpine was successful in the highly competitive Index of Efficiency category at the Le Mans 24 Hour race. Basking in the prestige of this success, Thomas Harrington Ltd. made limited-production replicas of the factory Alpines that competed at Le Mans in 1961. These cars provided the inspiration for the modifications that were carried-out on a standard Alpine to create the Le Mans Replica which is on offer in this sale. The gentleman who undertook this exacting replica project in 1995/96, started with a correct series 2 Sunbeam Alpine and installed all the Special Le Mans fittings and equipment. "Whilst building the replica," he said, "I had contact with the original Le Mans Alpine owner in the UK, who kindly sent me many photos of the original car. I faithfully recreated the Replica to exacting standards, some of the special equipment are a long range fuel tank with filler through the rear hardtop window; body coloured wire wheels; 1725 cc engine with twin 40mm Weber carburettors; overdrive gearbox with overdrive working on all 4 forward gear and rally seats built to resemble the original Le Man seats. The large rev counter is fitted in front of driver for easy reading, and tow hooks fitted front and rear painted white and lighting as per the original car for the Le Mans race." And he continues, "To re-create the Camm Back of the boot lid a wooden frame was made and fixed to the original boot lid then covered in sheet panel steel." He sold the car to a Sunbeam collector in Sydney possibly in c1997. It was subsequently bought by the current owner in November, 2008. This car has recently undergone maintenance and refurbishment to the braking system with the front calipers being rebuilt; a new brake master cylinder; the brake booster rebuilt and new front brake hoses. The coolant system has been checked and the hoses replaced where necessary; new engine oil and hoses and new coolant, engine oil and filter and an overhaul to the lighting system. This handsome and sporting Sunbeam Alpine Le Mans Replica is a striking example and very well presented. It would be a most suitable buy for a genuine historic rally enthusiast looking for a competition car that is uncommon and with an affordable estimate. This vehicle will be sold unregistered
• Estimate:
  A$37,000 - 45,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.