Sorry, but there is no doubt at all about the providence of this machine.
She's a 1959-60 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix. All of the principal components are original and jibe with catalogue specs. Ditto the ornate transfers. Not remotely '80s anything. Not a chance. Reynolds 531 main frame tubing. Steel stem and bars. GB Mk. 3 alloy brakes with Arret levers. Brooks Swallow saddle. Full mudguards. Pump under the top tube. Dunlop rims with HP tyres. Etc. Etc. Except for the 'guards and pumps, it's all there. The only thing that looks wrong (and awful!) is that icky '70s spoke guard. Yuck.
This was the last version of Lenton Sports first introduced in 1939, re-issued briefly in '46 and finally becoming THE Raleigh club bike and a true classic, from 1949-61.
And yes Reg Harris DID use a Lenton Sports for his road training and no, it wasn't some rebadged fancy lug thingy in disguised. A plain old Lenton with a FM hub. And yes Reg could run the socks off derailleur-equipped bikes with it too. Race the man or the machine. Lose.
The "Reg Harris" association refers to the Reg Harris Road Model transfer (carried on the top tube near the head on these models) that ALL Lentons had.
This machine is a mate to my '61 Lenton except that mine is a 23", in a lot worse shape (or was!) and has a black head instead of white.
It's really important to be VERY careful about the so-called lists of Raleigh serial numbers. I doubt these are remotely accurate. It's far surer (and easier) to match these models by catalogues frankly.
Peter Kohler, back on the Dover side
Washington DC USA