RHD LeMans

[jdoclogan]

The dash was custom made by the supplier for Sunbeam Specialties using the original LeMans dash for reference.

Nice work Bob. Just for clarification to any reader, the Harrington Le Mans dash was not made of wood. It was a standard dash surfaced with a Formica type material emulating a wood look. I've included an original HLM dash photo with the original Carlotti steering wheel and shift knob before I restored my HLM:

Took my HLM to the memorial of a longtime British car enthusiast yesterday. It ran great until the small Weber nut connecting the linkage fell off leaving me with no accelerator pedal response . Fortunately I was close to home and a quick trailer ride for the HLM had it back in the shop.

 

[65beam]

Nice work Bob. Just for clarification to any reader, the Harrington Le Mans dash was not made of wood. It was a standard dash surfaced with a Formica type material emulating a wood look. I've included an original HLM dash photo with the original Carlotti steering wheel and shift knob before I restored my HLM:

Took my HLM to the memorial of a longtime British car enthusiast yesterday. It ran great until the small Weber nut connecting the linkage fell off leaving me with no accelerator pedal response . Fortunately I was close to home and a quick trailer ride for the HLM had it back in the shop.

View attachment 10418

Jerry,
You're right about the dash. All three of my Harringtons have the original dash with the formica covering plus I have a spare LeMans dash.. My wife decided she wanted this car her way so one of the first things done was to drop the dash off at Tiger Tom's so he and his neighbor could apply the same walnut veneer that they used when Tom built the new dash for my 69GT. It was finished and his neighbor decided to add a couple more coats of clear and destroyed the veneer. That's when Rick @ Sunbeam Specialties got involved and our original dash was used and this one built by his guy on the west coast. Rick ordered a roll of the carpet from the U.K. and the carpets for this car were also made by a well known upholstery supplier from the west coast. A lot of well known Sunbeam folks have had their hands in the building of this car. Here's a photo of my documented low mileage (24942 miles) LeMans with it's original unrestored dash. It had the small armrest with no knee pads and I removed them and moved the pull handles to the top of the door panel. The original wheel hangs in the shop because it's too big for me to drive in comfort with the wheel so it has an after market wheel.

 

[65beam]

Very few have seen a LeMans dash that has had the formica removed and the original plastic dash exposed. Here's your chance! Series 2 Alpine dashes had the raised bezels so Harrington sanded down the bezels that the instruments set in until the dash was flat. The formica was glued down and everything assembled. These photos are of the original for the RHD. The wood strip was fastened in the cubby box to the lower waist roll by wood screws and the box door was secured by two hinges fastened to this wood and the box door. The door is a piece of plywood with the formica glued to it. You can see the original design of the formica in the area where the Harrington badge was secured on the box door. The dash in the red car was in much better shape when we bought the car in 1982 but the wife decided she did not want to use the original dash for the RHD. The one photo shows the glue on the back of the formica. The door with the bad finish shows what happened when the extra finish was applied.

 

[jdoclogan]

Great photo documentation Bob. As you mentioned your "original" HLM has a replaced steering wheel. Also, there was a replacement of the gear shift knob. Being a "low mileage" HLM I would think you still have the original, excessively rare shift knob, right? I noticed in your current RHD HLM project the same approach was used to address the transmission hump carpet fit as mine. Clearly not an original approach as we can see in the factory molded approach (my photo below and your photo above). Thus, I assume your carpets were done by Martha Christiansen (Rick's longtime go-to upholster). When I did my carpets I sent Christiansen my original HLM carpets and she made templates for future use. Christiansen probably used those templates for your project. Also interesting, your "original" cowling has the turn signal and OD switch on the right side (mine has the OD and horn activator on the left side as does the factory marketing photo). Does yours have the, spring loaded turn signal type lever, horn activator on the other side of the cowling?

Note: my glove box does not have the Harrington badge attached. That's because my Moonstone (code 19) HLM was the promotional car that appeared at the New York International Auto Show in March , 1962 and graced the cover of Car and Driver April, 1962. There are two (maybe three, a red - white - and blue USA marketing promotion) confirmed promotional LHD cars that made it to the USA shores in 1962. Mine and the Red HLM appearing on the cover of Road & Track June, 1962.

 

[65beam]

Great photo documentation Bob. As you mentioned your "original" HLM has a replaced steering wheel. Also, there was a replacement of the gear shift knob. Being a "low mileage" HLM I would think you still have the original, excessively rare shift knob, right? I noticed in your current RHD HLM project the same approach was used to address the transmission hump carpet fit as mine. Clearly not an original approach as we can see in the factory molded approach (my photo below and your photo above). Thus, I assume your carpets were done by Martha Christiansen (Rick's longtime go-to upholster). When I did my carpets I sent Christiansen my original HLM carpets and she made templates for future use. Christiansen probably used those templates for your project. Also interesting, your "original" cowling has the turn signal and OD switch on the right side (mine has the OD and horn activator on the left side as does the factory marketing photo). Does yours have the, spring loaded turn signal type lever, horn activator on the other side of the cowling?

View attachment 10427

Note: my glove box does not have the Harrington badge attached. That's because my Moonstone (code 19) HLM was the promotional car that appeared at the New York International Auto Show in March , 1962 and graced the cover of Car and Driver April, 1962. There are two (maybe three, a red - white - and blue USA marketing promotion) confirmed promotional LHD cars that made it to the USA shores in 1962. Mine and the Red HLM appearing on the cover of Road & Track June, 1962.
View attachment 10428

Jerry,
I do have the original wheel and two others hanging in the shop. Since I'm 6'3" and have long legs along with weighing probably100 pounds more than you, I find the original steering wheel to be in the way. They're also rather delicate after all these years. I've broken the original for the red car at least twice. One was while chasing a Mini thru the esses at Mid Ohio years ago. I do have a couple of the die cut metal blanks and I sold one to a good friend in Cincinnati for use on his car. I know you've talked to Reg before so you know who I'm speaking of. He owns the red show car . I have the shift knob you're referring to. Another thing to keep in mind is that none of the carpet except for the hatch area is installed yet. Lots of tweeking along with many other things to be done to the car. I place the turn signal stalks, etc. where they work best for me. Another owner and I were talking about your spring loaded control. We've never seen that before on regular production cars. The wife's RHD car does not have the roof vents on the back corners. This is one of two RHD LeMans in the states and I don't think Tony's car has been anywhere for years. It belongs to the wife and who knows what she may decide to do before it's done.

 

[jdoclogan]

I do know Reg. His HLM doesn't have the provenance to link it to the Road & Track's red car. It appears that the "red one" has been found. Read Janne Iggbom's article at http://www.harringtonalpine.org/index.php?categoryid=108. That being said, my email exchanges with Reg did indicate his HLM has attributes aligning to a promotional car (maybe Canadian).
Great time to break a steering wheel, yikes! Ian Spencer gave me a stainless steel blank for the steering wheel. I did some fine tuning and the decorative swirls then reattached original refinished wood.

 

[65beam]

Jerry,
Stay tuned in because she has already decided what #3 is going to be like when it's finished. The purist will cringe!

 

[jdoclogan]

As a purist I don't mind those that personalize their projects as long as they don't claim complete originality. For example, my one-off Lyrad MKI GT has been significantly altered for safety and aesthetic reasons. With the blessing of the original builder, Darrel Townsend, he suggested I call it a Lyrad MKII GT. I agreed and will pass that understanding on to the automotive community. To go through a process of attaching VIN plates to re-bodied projects or outright alter aspects of originality without full disclosure is usually motivated by economic gain or the glory of having an original. Most marques don't have a monitoring system like the one created by Norm for Tiger certification. As such we all have to rely on the honesty and forthright integrity of fellow automotive enthusiasts.

 

[bernd_st]

I'm enjoying your guys expert discussion over a good glass of red wine currently .

Bob: Excellent progress you make even the steering wheel & dashboard are "personalized" . I certainly have to follow a similar approach since my original parts are long gone. Like the repro dashboard since it features the proper white letterings. Do you think Rick would be able to provide another LHD one? Am I right that your windshield to body seal looks original?

Jerry: Your spring loaded lever is really unique. Like your interior photos especially the early seat webbing.

I also would like being a purist but nowadays and for restoration we have to accept compromises because of the rarity of H parts

 

[65beam]

I'm enjoying your guys expert discussion over a good glass of red wine currently .

Bob: Excellent progress you make even the steering wheel & dashboard are "personalized" . I certainly have to follow a similar approach since my original parts are long gone. Like the repro dashboard since it features the proper white letterings. Do you think Rick would be able to provide another LHD one? Am I right that your windshield to body seal looks original?

Jerry: Your spring loaded lever is really unique. Like your interior photos especially the early seat webbing.

I also would like being a purist but nowadays and for restoration we have to compromises because of the rarity of H parts

bernd,
I have all the "correct" parts. I could make it all stock but we just decided to go another route and install what we ( WIFE) thought would be best for us. When getting started on the dash I sent Rick many detailed photos of my dash and they made it from those so I would say no problem. The final cost for the RHD dash was $570.00 . Nisonger changed my tach from a cable drive to an electronic unit while restoring the original face and retained the lights along with restoring the fuel sending unit and a few other items. The windshield to body seal is for later cars but I do have an original NOS seal for the series 1&2. After all these years it just looks fragile. The furflex in the door sill area is another NOS item from my collection. Our upholstery shop has access to webbing like the material used in the seats. He did cut it down to the correct width. All chrome parts have been replated and everything aluminum or stainless has been restored. The plating shop we use in Harrisburg,Pa. made and plated a few of the spring that pops up the hatch. This is the curved piece that sets under the center rubber piece at the bottom of the hatch opening. I hope to have this car at the TE/AE united in September.

 

[jdoclogan]

Bernd, I agree with you as to the needed parts to restore any vehicle. Sometimes one flat out has to fabricate a part as near to original as possible. It all goes without saying. This site has many examples of those that go way beyond the average restoration by having parts fabricated from original parts to make exacting replacement parts. For me I always try to get a parts car to assist in a restoration. For example, I'm working on a rare Jaguar 340 LHD (last of the Mark IIs - only 535 made). Amazingly, I was able to find a complete parts car for this restoration. Fortunately the HLMs have the Series II Sunbeams available for mechanical, body (except Harrington top/rear section) electrical, gauges, and rubber parts, leaving the door, rearside and hatch windows, tail light lenses, brake servo and oil cooling unit as unique HLM items. But as you note there are many interior and exterior components that are unique to the HLMs. My upholstery was in very good shape except the seat insert material and the carpet. As much as I tried that particular seat cloth was not available anywhere. A close replacement was found. For the carpet I found the original red Wilton Wool in England still being made. From the looks of Bob's new red carpet he was able to source it as well. Thus, I'm lucky to have most all of the original interior and all the original exterior bits. And to think I considered putting a V8 in my HLM before I knew of its historical significance. Keep up the good efforts on your project.

 

[65beam]

[QUOTE Fortunately the HLMs have the Series II Sunbeams available for mechanical, body (except Harrington top/rear section) electrical, gauges, and rubber parts, leaving the door, rearside and hatch windows, tail light lenses, brake servo and oil cooling unit as unique HLM items. But as you note there are many interior and exterior components that are unique to the HLMs. My upholstery was in very good shape except the seat insert material and the carpet. As much as I tried that particular seat cloth was not available anywhere. A close replacement was found. For the carpet I found the original red Wilton Wool in England still being made. From the looks of Bob's new red carpet he was able to source it as well. Thus, I'm lucky to have most all of the original interior and all the original exterior bits. And to think I considered putting a V8 in my HLM before I knew of its historical significance. Keep up the good efforts on your project.[/QUOTE]
Jerry,
The gauges in all of my cars appear to be standard series 2 items. Rick had his source in the U.K. to make up a new wire harness for my car. He said the only wiring specific to the HLM is the wiring for the rear dome light. That was made prior to making the head liner. That light was used on other Hillman sedans. I had the door glass made about 10 years ago when one of mine was broken. I have one stored away. I have found the tail light units at the Carlisle Import. There is a vendor that sells things like this and he told me a couple years ago what car used these units but I've forgotten. If I think of it I'll look them up in my Lucas catalog . I also picked up a complete set many years ago but they are mounted on a pot metal piece that closely resembles the contour of the HLM. I'll take a photo in the morning. I have a new set of U.S. spec tail light units still in the Lucas boxes with Rootes part number so they must have been readily available from Lucas. I bought them from TT maybe 30+ years ago. If you look at the tail lights of my car you'll see that it has amber turn signals. Ian said it had them when he bought the car. There must have been another vehicle that used the oil cooler because I found one with the same design at Carlisle many years ago. Martin MacGregor in Canada recently made the original style furflex with the rubber flap for my car and for Reg's car. Reg has reproduced the aluminum inside sill plates. The reproduction glove box badge was made by TT back in the 80's using my original one on the red car. Rick ordered a roll of carpet from the U.K . and had my carpets made and sent me the rest of the roll. The upholstery shop used 10 yards of it to make the carpets in my 69GT. Bernd needs to post some photos of his project. FYI, the interior in our blue series 5 was made by Martha.

 

[jdoclogan]

GT40s and I believe Aston Martin used the L692 tail light lens. They aren't so easy to find these days. I have a set, with bases, to use on the Lyrad project. Right, my brain glitch, the gauges are the same as any Series II. I acquired a Hillman dome light lens from Australia. Yes, other marques used the oil cooler. I have the same oil cooler on my Series II factory works 12 Hour Sebring race car. I had to fabricate my own side window rubber seal. I saw Bernd's HLM when Nancy and I visited him 4 years ago. What a great host. He also had a nice Tiger. My promotional HLM didn't come with seal plates (one of six differences from the production HLMs). From Janne Iggbom, "On HLM (LHD) they (Horn Switch) are located in front of the OD switch on left hand side of the steering column." RHDs have the horn switch on the right hand side of the steering column.

 

[65beam]

Jerry,
Here's a photo of the tail light units I mentioned. The housing looks to be pot metal. Any idea what car they are from? I've asked many and no one seems to know. I bought them just for the light s.

 

[65sunbeam]

Bob-do those lights have a Lucas part number on the mounting base? Remember the James Bond Alpine at the Indy United that had a set of these for the rear turn signals?! Eric

 

[bernd_st]

Bob,

unfortunately we never met but Jerry and Eric both know me. I'll post pictures from my HLM project once I've received my S2 body back from the bodyshop. I intend to build a hot street version of a HLM - nothing which has ever been seen before. Partly original and partly not.
I bought the project when John P. bought his and tried to help him over his restauration which came out perfectly. For many reasons I couldn't make progress over last year's but have resumed activities from this spring.

As a side note and reference I'm the Alpine "specialist" for the German club and you can see a picture of my first ever Alpine SI restoration released to the road in 1994 here:

 

[jdoclogan]

The lens is L692. The base is L691/692. A link to NOS Locators https://www.ebay.com/itm/Austin-Hea...over-Lotus-Elan-Stop-Tail-Lamps-/360801874188
The reflector is RER31. Reflector base RER31

 

[65sunbeam]

I know the part numbers for the lenses and the chrome bases-I would like to know the part number for the mounting base that holds all three lens assemblies together as shown in Bob's photo. Eric

 

[jdoclogan]

All good Eric. These are the tail lights that go to my 1962 Factory Works 12 Hour Sebring Alpine

 

[65beam]

All good Eric. These are the tail lights that go to my 1962 Factory Works 12 Hour Sebring Alpine
View attachment 10438

Jerry,
Where did you find the Sebring Alpine?