The 1964 Series IV Alpine featured a modification of the body style. The Sunbeam lost its distinctive fins and gained a more modern appearance. It's easy to speculate that Sunbeam wanted to see this very competitive team racing their newest model for the 1964 season. I thought that Rootes may have provided this car to the team. However, one document shows that this car was owned by Dan Carmichael from the very beginning. Did Sunbeam make a special deal for Dan? Who knows, but 1964 would turn out to be the teams most successful year.

The race car was prepared early in the 1964 season. Like many other race cars from this era, the car was taken off the showroom floor and striped for race preparation. Even the lead was melted out of the seams of the car to remove weight. The 1592cc motor was specially prepared by Shorty. The head and manifolds were prepared by Mondello in California.

 

1964

In 1964, Don Sesslar won the national title in F-Production. Don won 5 races and placed 2nd in two others. It was a spectacular year. Dan did equally as well by capturing the Central Division title. Overall, the Series IV Alpine raced in approximately 2200 miles of both National and Divisional races without a mechanical failure.

Don described how the race at Mid-Ohio concluded. During a heated battle with a Porsche 356, the lead changed hands many times. The Porsche had the edge through the turns while Don had the straight line speed. At one point the Porsche was over-reving in the straights so much that oil began blowing from the engine. Don passed him on the last turn to take the win. As Don pulled into the pits oil from the Porsche was dripping off the front of the Sunbeam.

As the season ended the Sunbeam marketing department promoted the wins in their advertising campaign. One ad, "You should see it on the track", in September's Car and Driver mentions the success early in the season. Another wonderful ad, "What brings the class "F" Champion home?" features a beautiful picture of Don winning a race. In the ad they state, "$2399!".

 

Dan Carmichael*
July	Mid-Ohio	1st
July	Lynndale Farms	1st
October 18, 1964	IRP	2nd
1964 Cen. Div. Champion	F-Production	51 Points

*Dan's records are only partially available

 

 

Article from US Auto Sports, September 1964, this article highlighted the June Sprints at Elkhart Lake:

 

Sesslar wins F-G-H Production race

"Saturday's races didn't begin until three o'clock, giving the spectators plenty of time to wander around, watch the timed practice from different points on the course, and stuff themselves to the ears with bratwurst and beer. The weather in the Clif Tufte tradition, was perfect - perhaps a trifle warmer than the drivers would have liked.

When race time finally rolled around, it was apparent that Don Sesslar in the Sunbeam Alpine was the man to beat. In timed practice, he was nearly two seconds a lap faster than Art Riley in the Volvo P-1800. So imagine our surprise when Art Riley came into corner five with a fairly firm grip on first. Next up was Sesslar followed by Richard Jull and John Erickson in P-1800s.

On the second lap, positions remained the same. The pace was reduced on lap three, while an ambulance and wrecker were rushed to turn 11. Carl Rao, driving and Austin-Healy Sprite, who moments before had left the course at turn five, and flipped at eleven, blocking the course. Fortunately, Carl escaped injury.

Shortly after the pace picked up again, Sesslar moved the Alpine into the lead. And Brooks Noah, who qualified in 29th position, suddenly took over third spot in his Lotus 7A. And that's how they finished- Sesslar, Riley and Noah."

---

 

Images from 1964 - please click for enlargements
	Mid-Ohio, Note the odd hood badge. Some people have s suggested that this is from a very old Talbot. Any suggestions?   Don, his wife, Shorty, and (I believe) H.J. Meyer.
	Chasing an HM car at Mid-Ohio in 1964.
	Don Sesslar on his way to winning at Mid-Ohio in 1964
	Victory lap at Mid-Ohio in 1964
	Mid-Ohio in 1964
	Mid-Ohio in 1964

Contemporary Track items (from personal files)
	'64 Lake Garnett Program with Don listed as an entrant and also as 1963's winner.
	Workers pass and ticket for Lynndale Farms, 1964. Don came in 2nd place at this race.

• Head ported and polished by Mondello
• Head matched to intake manifold an exhaust
• Manifold gasket contoured to fit
• Head milled .125, water passages opened up
• Valves lightened and polished
• Pushrods Isky
• Tappets lightened by 30%
• Tappets bore honed .001"
• Rods lightened and polished
• Crank lightened and polished
• Generator reworked for reduced friction
• Pistons .040", flat top J+E
• Radiator custom triple core
• New Konis for Daytona
• Springs dearched
• Body lightened , lead removed
• Flywheel drilled and lightened
• Electric fuel pump installed
• Competition clutch new for Daytona
• 4.86 R+P new for Daytona
• Plymouth rear axles
• Carbs cleaned and reworked
• Hollywood cam (Ironically, he notes on a postcard that the Webco cam is better)
• Webco competition valve springs, alum. keepers and retainers
• Detailed notes:
  • Engine oil - Oilzum Crystal
  • Trans oil - Kendall 40 wt. non-det.
  • valve lash .013, .015 exhaust
  • piston rings - top and oiler Ramco 1195 M STD, 3 1/4x3/32
  • Middle Ramco CM200 3 1/4 x 5/32*
  • Tires 37# front, 35# rear
  • Timing - 38-42 degree WITH ROTOR HELD SPRING LOADED TO THE LEFT CENTER OR COUNTER CLOCKWISE
  • Valve Spring Pressure - set at 50# for Daytona
  • RPM red line 6000/6300 - will run to 7000 but no increase in torque

1961-63	1964	1965-67	2000	2001
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