Barrett's #87 - Solved - Ashley GT hard top for Sunbeam Alpine

[barrett]

What is this, and when was it built?

[reverend]

1965-1975 Sunbeam Rapier Fastback?

[billtorrance9999]

Harrington conversion on Subeam Alpine

[barrett]

No to both of those

[BlueCat]

Clearly based on a Sunbeam Alpine Series I from 1959-1960 but I can't identify the conversion. The sloped back does not match Harrington designs. Still looking...

[reverend]

Sunbeam Tiger LeMans Coupe- Early 60's

[barrett]

It's not a Tiger and not a Le Mans...

[barrett]

Easy for an expert.....?

[woodinsight]

Sunbeam Alpine with an Ashley GT hardtop

[barrett]

That's the one!
I have awarded you your point already, but can you complete the puzzle and tell me when it was built?

[woodinsight]

I believe it was 1962

[barrett]

That's the one.
I'm not sure if this remained a one-off or any others were built, but Ashley did offer it as a conversion alongside their other hard tops

[Carnut]

£78 10s! (For those who don't understand 'old' money thats £78.50)
Think it might cost a little more than that today...!

[Allan L]

£78 10s! (For those who don't understand 'old' money thats £78.50)
Think it might cost a little more than that today...!

Ah, but how long did you have to work to earn £78/10/- in 1962?
Oh and the Series II Alpine itself cost £1110 inc. Purchase Tax, a reasonable approximation to a professional annual salary for a 35-year-old IIRC.

[Carnut]

It never made production and remained just a one-off.
Apparently Rootes Group had already agreed to supply Harrington with Alpines for their conversions so wouldn't approve the Ashley, which I think looks a bit better, although it seems to be a detachable hardtop rather than a hardtop conversion.