Prototype with period rally history
1951 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkII 'Hartwell' Roadster

• The first of Hartwell's three prototypes
• Forerunner of the Sunbeam Alpine
• In-period Coupe des Alpes and RAC Rally competition history
• Completely restored between 2009 and 2020

George Reginald Hartwell was a Bournemouth-based motor dealer and part-time rally driver for the Rootes Group. During the 1950 season he had been driving their current Sunbeam-Talbot 80 and 90 models. Unsatisfied with the understeer-then-oversteer handling of the saloon models, he set about, with Rootes' blessing, to develop a roadster version of the Sunbeam-Talbot 90. As the basis he used the newly introduced Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkII, which featured a completely redesigned chassis and running gear together with independent front suspension; a more powerful 2,267cc engine; and better brakes. The MkII also had a redesigned front end, which Hartwell incorporated into his car.

Chassis number 'A3000325HXO' left the Rootes Group's factory on 1st December 1950, and over that winter Hartwell's built it as Car No. 1, the first of three known 'Hartwell Coupés' (although history would come to see Car No. 1 as the prototype for the Sunbeam Alpine that followed two years later as a factory production model). Without Car No. 1, it seems doubtful that the Sunbeam Alpine would ever have been produced.

Registered 'LEL 333' (Hartwell believed the number was lucky), the car was rallied by Hartwell for around 12 months before he switched to Car No. 2 ('VRE 690') and finally Car No. 3 ('MRU 666'). 'LEL 333' competed in the Coupe des Alpes rally on two occasions: in 1951 (competitor number '72') and 1952 (competitor number '300'), it also competed in the RAC rally in March 1953. There are copies of contemporary photographs on file; one of which, taken of 'LEL 333' on the 1951 Coupe des Alpes, was used to illustrate Hartwell's 'Sunbeam-Talbot Competition Tuning' advertisement, which listed the firm's impressive inventory of performance-enhancing components.

'LEL 333' was sold many times over the years until it found itself in a garage at the end of the 1960s, remaining there until the vendor tracked down its remains and set about a 12-year restoration - completed in 2020 - to produce the car you see today.

This historic car is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate and the aforementioned photocopies. An unfinished hardtop, tools, Hartwell twin carburettors, and a handbook are available by separate negotiation. A rare opportunity to acquire an important part of Rootes Group competition history.