Specifications
| Engine | In-line six-cylinder, 4500cc |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual |
| Body Work | Tourer |
| Colour | British Racing Green |
| Interior | Tan |
| Trim | Leather |
| Wheels | Wire Spoked |
| Brakes | Drums |
Description
By the 1920s the Sunbeam Company, founded in 1899 by John Marston in Wolverhampton, was firmly established as one of Britain's finest car makers, with a reputation for high quality machines with a sporting flavour. Known as the 'Supreme Sunbeam', the Company invested heavily in motor sport and success was achieved in Grand Prix racing, at endurance events such as Le Mans and just as significantly, in Land Speed Record attempts. Sunbeam was the only British manufacturer to win an International Grand Prix before the Second World War, achieving this momentous result against the combined forces of more established racing marques like Bugatti and Fiat in the 1923 French Grand Prix. Thanks to the heroic deeds of men like Sir Malcolm Campbell and Major Henry Segrave, Sunbeam held the Land Speed Record a number of times in the period, the latter's twin-engined 1000 horsepower machine breaking the 200mph barrier for the first time. Sunbeam produced an exceptional range of touring and sports cars in the 1920s, with the large capacity 24hp based on the chassis of the pre-war 25/30, powered by a large capacity side-valve six-cylinder engine. The earliest examples of 1919-1920 used an SU carburettor, later replaced with a Claudel Hobson unit and the advanced specification included a four-speed gearbox, electric self-starter and lighting equipment, while the suspension was semi-elliptic (underslung at the rear) and braking on the rear wheels only. A Sports variant was added in 1922, employing an overhead-camshaft version of the engine. In 1923 the model was replaced by the 24/60 with overhead valves, alloy pistons and four-wheel brakes. Output was increased to 60hp and the 24/60 could top 70 mph. The final development of the series was the even more powerful 24/70 of 1924 but just 102 were made, making it easily the rarest of the breed and just four are thought to survive according to marque expert Bruce Dowell's research. As vintage tourers go, the Sunbeam 24/70 compares favourably with contemporary Vauxhalls and Bentleys, not to mention many more expensive Continental marques, and would be a wonderful events car perfect for the thriving VSCC scene.
