Specifications
| Engine | 25/30hp Six Cylinder 6.1 Ltr |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | Manual 4 speed |
| Colour | Green/Black |
| Interior | Leather |
| Wheels | Artillery Wheels (Steel) |
| Brakes | Rear Mechanical |
Description
The original Sunbeam company was founded by John Marston in 1899 and based in Wolverhampton. Its position in the market was akin to the present day Jaguar.
Sunbeam was one of the premier Marques of British cars achieving its peak of fame during the 1920s. It first came to prominence following the appointment of Louis Coatalen as chief engineer in 1909 and Coatalen designed cars were soon setting new records of all types at Brooklands race track in Surrey. In 1912 the 3 litre Sunbeams caused a sensation when they came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Coupe de l'Auto for touring cars run at Dieppe. So good were they, that they achieved 3rd, 4th, and 5th places in theFrench Grand Prix run concurrently! The cars which came 1st and 2nd achieved their places with engines which were 3 and 5 times the size of the Sunbeams! The almost identical touring model sold very well as a result.
In a famous race against Bugattis and Fiats, among others, Sunbeams came 1st, 2nd and 4th in the 1923 French Grand Prix and won the Spanish Grand Prix the following year. Sunbeam was the only British make to win a Grand Prix in the first half of the 20th century. Many of the features taken for granted on modem cars were first developed and tested by Sunbeam on the race track and then introduced to their ordinary touring cars . Among features pioneered by Sunbeam were overhead valve engines, brakes on all four wheels, power assisted brakes and twin overhead camshaft engines. Twin cam engines were standard on the 3 litre Super Sports Models from 1924.
Sunbeam also held the world land speed record on several occasions as commemorated on British stamps issued in 1998. Malcolm Campbell's first 'Bluebird' was a Sunbeam and in 1924 he achieved 146mph in an 18 litre 12 cyl Sunbeam developing 350hp. He had achieved the same speed a year earlier but the timing equipment had not been approved. In 1925 he was the first to reach 150mph in a similar car.
In 1925 Sunbeam entered the new 3 Litre Super Sports car for the Grand Prix d'Endurance (24 hours) at Le Mans.Sunbeam was the only British make to finish and won 2nd place overall and came first in its 3 Litre class.
