Rare 24/70 Sunbeam to shine at Shannons Spring Sale
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Rare 24/70 Sunbeam to shine at Shannons Spring Sale

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By Shannons - 05 September 2014

• Rare Sunbeam with high quality restoration

• Ready to enjoy in local or International touring events

• Worldwide interested expected

A rare, restored 1924 Sunbeam 24/70HP Tourer that has been in dry storage for the past decade represents an exciting opportunity for vintage sporting car enthusiasts around the world when it goes under the hammer at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 29.

This rare, restored circa 1924 Sunbeam 24/70HP Tourer that has been in dry storage for the past decade is expected to appeal to the International collector market when it goes under the hammer at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 29.

The imposing six-wheel-equipped Sunbeam is one of just 102 examples of the 4.5-litre six cylinder 24/70HP model built in the early 1920s and is believed to be one of four surviving examples worldwide.

It was discovered on a farm in Corowa, NSW in the 1960s, but little was done over the next 30 years apart from gathering up missing parts and information on the model.

Eventually in the early 1990s, its late owner commenced a full, documented restoration that involved restoring the chassis, mechanicals and building the timberwork of a new Tourer body. 

The imposing six-wheel-equipped Sunbeam being auctioned by Shannons in Melbourne on September 29 is  believed to be one of four surviving examples of the 24/70HP Tourer worldwide.

In 1998, the Sunbeam was sent to KJR Coachbuilding of Albury for completion, where a new aluminium body with steel wings was fabricated. The final painting done by Steve Ortlipp, the upholstery retrimmed by Peter McDonald and all nickel and brightwork was carried out by Albury Electroplaters.

Since completion, the Sunbeam has participated in several rallies including the 2002 Veteran Club of Australia Annual Tour in Tasmania, where it successfully completed over 2,000 incident-free miles. It was also driven regularly to various social and family gatherings in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW.

This rare circa 1924 Sunbeam 24/70 underwent a comprehensive restoration in Albury, NSW over an eight-year period in the 1990s.

The 24/70 has been in dry storage since 2004, but was recently checked over by KJR Coachbuilding preparatory to its auction and is now ready to be enjoyed once again, with its six-cylinder engine and four-speed gearbox making it ideal and rewarding to drive.

The combination of a 4.5 litre six cylinder engine and four speed gearbox makes the sunbeam 24/70 an ideal and rewarding car to drive in Vintage events.

Fitted with CAV front headlights and rear taillights, battery switch, a full suite of gauges, full wet weather gear and a luggage trunk, it is perfectly equipped for weekend touring or Vintage rallying and still presents well today.

Because of its condition and rarity, Shannons believe this Sunbeam 24/70 offers a great alternative to the more expensive contemporary Bentley 4.5-Litre or Vauxhall 30/98 Tourers and will appeal to the International enthusiast and collector market at its realistic guiding range of $80,000-$120,000.