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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  19 Jun 2016 ~ 3pm
• Lot #:
  44
• Lot Description:
  1922 SUNBEAM 16/40 SPORTS TOURER
  Chassis no: 25800B; Engine No: 2463B; This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Notes:
  The original Sunbeam company was founded in Wolverhampton in 1899 by John Marston, where they built bicycles, then motorcycles and fine cars until about 1936. The company's position in the market was considered to be a symbol of high quality and one of the most progressive and distinguished British marques achieving the height of its fame during the 1920s. The company was highly competitive and forward thinking. Their 3-litre Sunbeams came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Coupe de l'Auto for touring cars run at Dieppe and also 3rd, 4th, and 5th place in the French Grand Prix, in 1912. These achievements resulted in the strong development of the Sunbeam engines and the production models sold very well as a consequence. Absolute trail blazers being repeatedly quick at the Brooklands Land Speed Records, Sunbeam developed speed and high-performance cars with Talbot and Darracq. It was the only British company at the time committed to international racing and emerged from WW1 set to amalgamate with these 2 other companies of notable racing pedigree and formed STD, in 1920. The chief designer, engineer and racer, Briton, Louis Coatalen was inspired by the truism that 'Racing improves the breed', and succeeded to the highest level of racing with numerous successes still legendary today. Unfortunately, the STD Group had failed to make sense of its range of road cars and at twice the development cost, its own cars were up against each other in the marketplace. STD Motors went into receivership in the years following the Wall Street crash. However, in the 1950s and 1960s Sunbeam Talbot achieved success in a new guise. What is most interesting is that Sunbeam played an integral part in the World Land Speed Record attempts of Malcolm Campbell's first 'Bluebird' being powered by a Sunbeam and in 1924 he achieved 146mph in an 18-litre 12cyl beast developing 350hp; and also, Major Henry Segrave, who in 1926, reached 152mph and again in 1927, topping this speed driving a twin engine 1000hp Sunbeam breaking the record at over 200mph. Amongst features pioneered by Sunbeam were overhead valve engines, brakes on all four wheels, power assisted brakes and twin overhead camshaft engines. Sunbeam entered the new 3-litre Super Sports car for the Grand Prix d'Endurance (24 hours) at Le Mans in 1925, being the only British make to finish the race obtaining 2nd place overall and winning the 3-litre class. Under Coatalen's leadership Sunbeam's production cars of the 1920s were very well engineered, high quality and reliable. With their enduring reputation forged on the track they are considered a highly collectable and desirable vintage sports car today. Coatalen's preoccupation with improvement meant that there were numerous small changes from each year model. Therefore, few parts are interchangeable although his designs are basically similar. In the Vintage era, the models that typically dominated production volumes at each period were the 1920-1924 16 hp, 16/40; 24 hp, 24/60 and the 24/70 all based on pre-war, or Edwardian designs. The 16/40hp is powered by a 4-cylinder 3016cc overhead valve engine which replaced the side valve engine which had been fitted until this model. This superbly restored example of a 1922 16/40 offered for auction has undergone a comprehensive nut and bolt restoration performed by Historic & Vintage Restorations, (HVR) of Blackburn, Melbourne. The car was found derelict on a farm on the banks of the Murray near Swan Hill, Victoria, by a client of HVR. It was then purchased by the vendor in 2004 and HVR commenced a 3 year restoration to his exact requirements. The car was in a very bad state: the front axle was beyond repair so it was decided to fit a period Minerva front axle and the addition of front brakes from standard. All the missing jewellery; lights and instruments were sourced and reconditioned by HVR and are period original. All of the mechanicals such as the engine, gearbox, back axle and chassis are original Sunbeam, all completely restored by HVR including a new counter balanced crank shaft and connecting rods. It is a 3-litre, 4-cylinder OHV with a wheel base of 10ft 4in. The body is in the style of a 1920s English, sporty tourer typical of one that may have been fitted to a Sunbeam in period, designed by HVR with input from the owner. The car has a chassis plate numbered 2500B. The engine number is 2463B and is a matching numbers car. It has a black duck hood which covers the front compartment. The dicky seat is enclosed with a crafted timber lid. The folding hood frame is removable. It also has a tonneau and a non-waterproof, tailor made cover in the same colour as the car. Side curtains were considered unsuitable for the body style. Every detail of this beautifully crafted car has undergone meticulously attention. It has done very little mileage since its rebuild and according to the vendor will steadily cruise at 100kms per hour. Restored to the highest quality without regards to cost this Sunbeam offers an outstanding opportunity for a vintage enthusiast to buy a car that is ready for cruising and the enjoyment of club participation. A dossier of receipts and photographs accompanies the car.
• Estimate:
  A$130,000 - 150,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.