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There are six historical Harrington Alpines known to have competed during the 1960's that need to be discussed. The four factory entered Le Mans race cars from 1961, 1962 and 1963 with special bob-nose and Kamm-tail bodywork. The 1962, 1963 Sebring 12-Hour Endurance Harrington Alpine campaigned by Fillipo Theololi and the Alan Fraser Harrington Le Mans race car MEL 63. In addition we have listed current day Harrington race cars which need special recognition. If you have interests in Sunbeam Alpines with racing history please visit www.racingalpines.org. The 1961 Le Mans Harrington Alpine 3000 RW - B9102730 3000 RW is best known for it's special body work and Thermal Index trophy win at Le Mans in June of 1961. Prepped by the factory works department and modified by Harrington Ltd with a sleek bob-nosed front-end this may possibly be one of the most sought after Sunbeam's in the world. Originally a Wedgewood Blue car, it was re-painted to Seacrest Green at the time of conversion. After being driven to victory by Peter Proctor and Peter Harper the car was sold and converted for street use. Years later it was discovered in a barn and restored back to it's original competition glory.       
The 1962/1963 Le Mans Kamm-tail Alpines Harrington Ltd undertook the bodywork modifications for the Alpines that ran at Le Mans in 1962 and 1963. These three Le Mans race cars are a great example of the different type of work Harrington Ltd was capable of. The Kamm-tailed design is the most obvious alteration to the appearance of these cars, but a closer inspection will reveal quite extensive aluminum body modifications making these cars very special indeed.      
   
The 1961/1962 Sebring Harrington Alpine - B9106097 Some of you that may remember the Italian N.A.R.T. racing team owned by Fillipo Theodoli. Theodoli, an airline executive with Air Italia, had a passion for fast cars and took a liking to the Harrington Alpine. After taking personal delivery of the car at the Harrington factory, Theodoli would enter the car in the1962 12-Hour Sebring endurance race. This Carnival Red Harrington Alpine is documented as B9106097 and was most likely factory prepped for competition. This famous Harrington Alpine competed in only a few races before being converted back to a street car by a Rootes Dealership called D&H Classic in New Hampshire. It could possibly be one of only a very few Harrington Alpines to be built in LRX configuration. B9106097's first known race was the 1962 Sebring event where it proudly wore the number 44. Unfortunately, it's race was cut short by a blown engine resulting in a DNF. After receiving a replacement engine it was entered in the 1963 Sebring event as car number 55 where it finished 4th in class. B9106097 has also been documented racing at an SCCA event in Vineland under the number 86. Warming up the new engine for Sebring? Maybe.       
The 1962 Harrington Le Mans MEL 63 - Serial Number Unknown We know just a few facts about this Harrington Le Mans and are trying to learn more. Where is it today? What we know is that it's picture appears in a few period magazine articles and seems to have some connection to Rootes factory racing. It's documented to have raced in the Veedol Trophy race in March 1962 by Jerry Hodgson, entered by Alan Fraser where is suffered a terrible crash. It also raced at the August 1962 Tourist Trophy driven by Ellis Cuff-Miller, entered by Alan Fraser and the November 1962 R.A.C. Rally by the Grant/Pilsworth team. - Photograph(s) reproduced with kind permission of Coventry Transport Museum.     
   
Additional Racing Harringtons You can still find Harringtons that are being used for competition today. Below you will find some pictures of different Harringtons and their drivers. (see Modern Rallying page)      
   
*Some photograph(s) reproduced with kind permission of Coventry Transport Museum
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