Harrington Gathering to be the best yet?
Published: 19/04/2023
The Harrington Gathering 2023 at Transport Museum Wythall on Sunday May 21st is set to become the best yet.
Thomas Harrington was a highly-respected coachbuilder whose designs rose to fame when the art-deco style ‘Sackville Works’ opened in Hove in 1930.
Always a family firm, its legacy started with then unique dorsal finned bodies and subsequently the Cavalier and Grenadier, two closely related models that helped revolutionise coach design in the early 1960’s, influencing other manufacturers for decades to come. Alread, 14 Harrington coaches have entered this prestigious event.
The cars are also the stars with 4 Sunbeam Alpine Harringtons and a very rare Triumph TR4 Dove entered – we hope, with more to come.
These rare cars were not ‘modified’ post production but fully integrated coachbuilt designs, true ‘Grand Tourers’ of their day. The Rootes Archive and clubs will also be displaying material relevant to the Sunbeam Harrington products.
Latest coach to enter is the handsome 1950 AEC Regal Mk III Harrington Dorsal Fin, new to Lymers of Tean in Staffordshire and oozing Art Deco features. Prior to retirement in 1974, on its most famous day it carried the 1972 League Cup winning Stoke City football team on a grand tour of the town. It remained in Lymers garage slowly deteriorating until purchase by its current owner in 1995. Following an extensive, eight year restoration programme, it was returned to its former glory.
Attention Harrington enthusiasts, this coach is for sale and ongoing preservation. Don’t miss a great opportunity to see it in all its glory at Wythall on May 21st when offers will be considered.
The Regal will appear along with a glorious range of AEC, Seddon, Leyland and Dennis coaches displaying Wayfarer, Grenadier and Cavalier bodies, some exhibiting that famous ‘fishtail’ Dorsal Fin.
The Harrington Gathering 2023 will be a unique event and the first time in the preservation years that such a wide range of these beautiful vehicles – both cars and coaches - will be seen on display together. Certainly not to be missed.
For those who want to know more, here is an interesting link… Dorsal – An introduction to Thomas Harrington Ltd’s streamline coaches of 1930s. – Art Deco Society UK
