Alpine of 1950s under the hammer

A Sunbeam Alpine that never raced is among classics up for sale

An ex-works Sunbeam Alpine MK III rally car, originally prepared for 1950s driver Sheila Van Damm, will be one of the standout cars of the Melbourne motor show auction.

The Alpine - originally registered RHP-702 - was one of six identical cars prepared by the Rootes competition department for the 1955 Alpine Rally.

A sister car, RHP-704, was assigned to Van Damm's teammate, Stirling Moss.

However, the accident at the 1955 Le Mans 24-hour race that claimed the lives of 81 spectators resulted in the rally being cancelled and the cars were not used.

The Alpine will be among around 50 cars, 10 motorcycles and 40 special items of memorabilia featured in the sale, run by Australian auction house Shannons.

Other outstanding vehicles in the auction include a thundering 1921 American La France Speedster, based on a former New York fire engine.

This imposing 14.5 litre chain-driven vehicle was built in Britain, but came to Australia in 1994, where it was rebuilt at a cost of around A$120,000 ($132,000).

With its high-speed sprocket, the bright yellow American is capable of a top speed of around 120km/h.

Highlights for bargain hunters will be the 1969 and 1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow saloons and a 1958 Land Rover Ceremonial Vehicle, believed to have been built to carry the Pope.

There's also a 1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and a 1923 20HP Tourer.

Jaguar fans will have the choice of two red E-type Series III V12 Roadsters, one with a manual gearbox and the other with an automatic.

Mercedes-Benz SL fanciers will be able to choose from a 1962 190SL, a 1967 Pagoda Roof 250SL, a 1975 450SL and a stunning 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 coupe,

Also among the classics are a 1970 Volvo 1800ES, a pristine 1948 MGTC and a tidy 1953 MGTF roadster.

Other auction lots include a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette coupe, a 1985 BMW 635 CSi coupe and a 1961 Borgward Isabella coupe.