1961 Sunbeam Harrington Alpine Coupé Series II
- Engine
- Stage III Hartwell-tuned inline engine (displacement unspecified)
A believed one-of-a-kind left-hand-drive example among the first series of 110 Harrington Alpine Coupés, this Sunbeam Alpine was built to Stage III Hartwell tune and delivered in 1961 to Italian-American nobleman Filippo Theodoli. Entered under NART colours alongside Ferrari prototypes at the 1963 Sebring 12 Hours, it is one of the most historically distinctive Harrington Alpines known. Subsequently restored to NART race specification and certified with FIA HTP papers, it has competed in recent years at the Goodwood Members' Meetings.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £109,200 (≈ $137K)
- —Auction saleSold US$196,000
- 1961-06-09 →Factory deliveryMarchese Filippo Theodolifull documentation
Italian-born American advertising executive who collected the car personally from Harrington in England; used it as a racing car with Stage III Hartwell tune and later Weber carburetion. Sold after concluding his racing programme.
- → 2012Private saleBob Averypartial documentation
Purchased through dealer Stan Hallinan of D&H Autos on condition the car be returned to road specification; later undertook a full bare-metal restoration back to NART race configuration, completed in 2002. Retained the car until his death.
- 2012 →Private saleCurrent ownerfull documentation
Imported the car back to England and commissioned a further restoration and full FIA race preparation at CCK Historic to match the 1963 Sebring configuration; sought input from Clive Harrington for authenticity.
Competition
- 19611961 Sebring 12 HoursDriver: Filippo Theodoli31st
Theodoli drove a standard Sunbeam Alpine, not the Harrington coupé, in this event prior to taking delivery of the subject car.
- 19621962 Sebring 12 HoursDriver: Filippo Theodoli33rd
First race for the Harrington Alpine; entered by Rootes Motors in GT9 class, co-driven by Freddie Barrette.
- 1962SCCASCCA Vinehall 4 HoursDriver: Filippo Theodoli13th overall
Car ran Weber-equipped engine; held 4th place for much of the race before dropping to 13th at the finish, as reported in contemporary motorsport press.
- 1962-09-01FIABridgehampton Double 400Driver: Filippo Theodoli13th in GT2
- 19631963 Sebring 12 HoursDriver: Filippo Theodoli4th in GT9 class, 36th overall
Entered under NART with Ferrari cavallino rampante markings alongside factory Ferrari prototypes; co-driven by William Kneeland; hampered by fuel filler issues but finished ahead of other NART-entered OSCAs.
- 2002Bob Avery restoration concoursBest of Show
Award received upon completion of the bare-metal restoration to NART specification.
- —Goodwood 72nd Members' Meeting
First historic race appearance after FIA HTP preparation at CCK Historic.
- —Goodwood 73rd Members' Meeting
Second Goodwood appearance; additional setup work carried out by CS Racing during this period.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1963ModificationD&H Autos
Race equipment including Weber carburettors, enlarged fuel tank, roll hoop, and competition seats was removed and the car returned to standard road configuration at Hallinan's workshop.
Work carried out as a condition of sale to Bob Avery.
- 1963Modification
Weber carburettors and associated induction equipment fitted to the four-cylinder engine; a special Weber kit was sourced directly from Italy to suit the application.
Completed during Theodoli's ownership prior to the 1962–1963 race season; documented in contemporary press coverage.
- 1993Restoration
Bare-metal restoration commenced to return the car to NART race specification, reinstating period competition details.
Commissioned by Bob Avery; work spanned nearly a decade before completion.
- 2002Restoration
Bare-metal NART-specification restoration completed, resulting in a Best of Show concours award.
Completion of the project begun in 1993.
- 2012RestorationCCK Historic
Full restoration and FIA race preparation carried out to replicate the car's exact 1963 Sebring configuration; historical accuracy was verified with input from Clive Harrington of the founding coachbuilding family.
Work resulted in the issuance of FIA HTP papers.
- —MechanicalCS Racing
Additional suspension and handling setup work performed following the car's return to historic competition.
Carried out during the period of the Goodwood Members' Meeting appearances.
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