73 replies to this topic

[Vitesse2]

Just found this, which may be of interest - the Sunbeam was at Loughborough Engineering College (now Loughborough University) in 1940!

 

 

According to JISC their archive is still on site so there might be something more to find about it: https://archiveshub....16-fbec1c23959f

[marksixman]

Just found this, which may be of interest - the Sunbeam was at Loughborough Engineering College (now Loughborough University) in 1940!

 

Good find Vitesse2 !

[Pullman99]

Thanks Vitesse2 from me too!     Fascinating to know that there was a connection to Loughborough in wartime and this all adds to the story and timeline for the Sunbeam  

[Vitesse2]

I wonder if part of the reason was to get it to a safer location in case of air raids? Although it's before the Battle of Britain and the more general autumn/winter Blitz which initially targeted known aircraft factories like Supermarine in Southampton and Vickers at Brooklands, the old Sunbeam factory in Wolverhampton - which is presumably where the car still lived - would likely have been a target as well, given that in 1936 it had been taken over by Fischer Bearings Ltd.

 

This article suggests there is evidence that the city of Wolverhampton could have become another Coventry: https://www.expressa...oventry-burned/

[Sterzo]

This article suggests there is evidence that the city of Wolverhampton could have become another Coventry: https://www.expressa...oventry-burned/

There certainly was an expectation that Wolverhampton would be bombed. My father worked at the garage of Cyril Williams, Junior TT winner, and was on firewatch some nights. He reckoned there was only ever one bomb dropped on the town. It was on a playing field - so a lost or damaged aircraft trying to head home, offloading its dangerous cargo while avoiding housing. (But there was certainly more than one bombing raid in the six years!).

 

The location of Wolverhampton meant the Luftwaffe had to cross Birmingham or Coventry to reach it, so perhaps it would be the first target to abandon if plans changed.

 

Fascinated by the Express and Star article, Vitesse2. If I may indulge more family connections, in the fifties my uncle was advertising space salesman for the newspaper. Therefore he knew the owning Graham family, including their son Doug Graham, who raced a Lotus XI. Meanwhile my father went on to repair rented radios, including that of the Stevens brothers, proprietors of AJS. They said they'd closed the business without leaving any creditors unpaid.

Edited by Sterzo, 27 May 2024 - 12:51.

[Pullman99]

The National Motor Museum has compiled, courtesy of their Director of Collections Andrea Bishop, a (hopefully) definitive timeline for the movements of the Sunbeam 1000HP from 1927 and I have incorporated this below.   The car came to the then Montagu Motor Museum in 1958 and the restoration to running order continues apace at this time with the aim of returning the car to Daytona Beach in March 2027.   All being well, the first (rear) engine could be running later this year.

 

The listing for Loughborough would suggest that the Sunbeam may have stayed there until after WW2 and then, presumably, returned to the care of the Rootes Group.    The note about the Oulton Park meeting is interesting as it was after the Sunbeam had been exhibited at Goodwood as part of the launch / test of Donald Campbell's Bluebird CN7.

 

Also interesting is the note about the Melbourne International Trade Fair in early 1928.  I found an online reference to The British Trade Exhibition that was held in Melbourne from February to April in 1928. This was the first exhibition of British goods since the Melbourne International Centennial Exhibition of 1888 and the first devoted solely to British goods.   Organised by the Australian Association of British Manufactures, 175 exhibitors displayed almost one million articles from heavy industries to textiles and china (and including, presumably, the Sunbeam).   I have not yet discovered pics of this event but if any of our Australian correspondents can assist please post here!

 

Missing from the list below is mention of the Edinburgh Golden Jubilee event held on Saturday 5th October 1946

 

1927 1000hp Sunbeam appearances

 

  *EVENT test run

  *PLACE Wolverhampton, Sunbeam Moorfield Works & Staffordshire & England

  *DATE 21.2.1927

  *PERSON driver : Segrave, Henry O'Neal de Hane, Major

  *NOTE The 1000hp Sunbeam was shown to the press and employees of the company.    Segrave drove the car around the works site, where it was photographed outside the canteen. He found the engines to be remarkably flexible and the car to have satisfactory manoeuvrability.

 

  *EVENT World Land Speed Record attempt test run

  *PLACE Daytona Beach & Florida USA

  *DATE 21.3.1927

  *PERSON driver : Segrave, Henry O'Neal de Hane, Major

  *NOTE The 1000hp Sunbeam reached speeds of 100mph to 110mph on this test run, during which it proved difficult to steer. The rear brakes were inefficient and ventilation for the rear radiators was inadequate. 

      Consequently, the steering box was changed in favour of a higher geared unit, new brake shoes were fitted and larger air scoops were attached to the sides of the body. An estimated crowd of 10,000 watched this test run.

 

  *EVENT World Land Speed Record attempt test run

  *PLACE Daytona Beach & Florida USA

  *DATE 24.3.1927

  *PERSON driver : Segrave, Henry O'Neal de Hane, Major

  *NOTE The car reached a speed of 166mph (or probably higher - spectators walked on the timing strips, thus interfering with readings) and several problems became apparent. Air coming into the cockpit through the front of the car, nearly blew Segrave out of his seat and the gear change from 2nd to top was difficult. The unlined aluminium shoes of the rear brakes had melted when applied at high speed. In the week following, an aluminium bulkhead was fitted between the cockpit and front engine and the height of the wind deflecting cowl in front of the driver was increased. The gearbox selector, which had seized slightly, was freed and new brake shoes were fitted. The gear ratio of the final drive was decreased, to improve acceleration. This lowered the top speed, and would not have been done if Segrave had been aware of the timing strip problems.

 

  *EVENT World Land Speed Record attempt.

  *PLACE Daytona Beach & Florida & USA

  *DATE 29.3.1927

  *PERSON driver : Segrave, Henry O'Neal de Hane, Major

  *NOTE Segrave broke three World Land Speed Records. The flying mile was covered in 17.67 seconds at an average speed of 203.79mph, the flying kilometre in 11.02 seconds at 202.99mph or 326.68kph and the flying 5 kilometres in 55.19 seconds at 202.68mph or 326.18kph. The car reached a top speed of 207.51mph. After the 1st, northward run, all 4 wheels were changed, though the tyres were hardly worn. The return, southward run, was aided by an 18mph north-easterly wind, but a gust caused the car to swerve into the line of flag posts marking the course.   After crossing the line, Segrave closed the throttles but the car failed to slow. Running out of course, he applied the brakes, but they proved ineffective - the shoes had melted. To slow the car, Segrave drove into the water's edge. The engines kept running and he was able to drive out.

 

   *EVENT exhibition

  *PLACE Selfridge's, Oxford Street & London & England

  *DATE 21.4.1927

  *CORPORATE_BODY exhibited by : Selfridge's

  *NOTE The 1000hp Sunbeam was exhibited during a reception in honour of Segrave.

 

  *EVENT exhibition

  *PLACE Devonshire House, Piccadilly (Rootes Limited) & London & England

  *DATE 29.4.1927 to 30.4.1927

  *CORPORATE_BODY exhibited by : Rootes Limited

  *NOTE Entrance fees paid to view the car, raised a total of "£225 4s" for charity.

 

  *EVENT exhibition

  *PLACE Pass and Joyce Ltd, Euston Road & London & England

  *DATE 1.5.1927 to 6.5.1927

  *CORPORATE_BODY exhibited by : Pass and Joyce Ltd

 

  *EVENT Whitsun Meeting.

  *CORPORATE_BODY organisers : Brooklands Automobile Racing Club (BARC)

  *PLACE Brooklands, Weybridge & Surrey & England

  *DATE 6.6.1927

  *PERSON driver : Segrave, Henry O'Neal de Hane, Major

  *NOTE Despite heavy rain, Segrave drove the 1000hp Sunbeam on demonstration runs around the Members' Hill and public enclosure. On the 2nd circuit of the enclosure, Segrave accelerated violently over the finishing straight, causing the car to skid and swerve through pooled water. He managed to get the car back under control and continued to do a clockwise lap at slow speed. This was the 1st time that the public had been able to see the car perform in Britain.    Because of the constraints imposed by the track, it ran on its rear engine only. Both before and after the display, the car was on show in the paddock.

 

  *EVENT Coupe de la Commission Sportive.

  *CORPORATE_BODY organisers : 

  *PLACE Montlhéry & & France

  *DATE 1-2?.7.1927  (NMM query, but probably the 3rd July)

  *PERSON driver : Divo, Albert

  *NOTE Divo drove the car on a lap of honour.

 

  *EVENT Melbourne International Trade Fair, British Exhibition

  *EVENT British Trade Exhibition

  *PLACE Melbourne & Victoria & Australia

  *DATE 23.2.1928 to 10.4.1928

 

  *PLACE Wolverhampton, Sunbeam Moorfield Works & Staffordshire & England

  *DATE 4.1928 to 7.1940

  *NOTE The 1000hp Sunbeam was stored at the factory where it had been built, 

      during this time.

 

  *EVENT exhibition

  *PLACE Loughborough, Engineering College & Leicestershire & England

  *DATE 7.1940=?

  *NOTE Engineering students at Loughborough studied the car.

 

  *EVENT London SMMT Jubilee Cavalcade

  *CORPORATE_BODY organisers : Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

  *CORPORATE_BODY exhibited by : Rootes Securities Ltd

  *PLACE London, Regent's Park & London & England (start and finish)

  *DATE 27.7.1946

  *NOTE Numbered C29, the car took part in the parade, on the back of a lorry.   Close to 500 vehicles took part in the parade. It started and finished in Regent's Park, where there was a review by King George V and the Queen.

 

  *EVENT Belfast SMMT Jubilee Cavalcade

  *CORPORATE_BODY organisers : Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

  *CORPORATE_BODY exhibited by : Rootes Group

  *PLACE Belfast & & Northern Ireland

  *DATE 7.9.1946

  *NOTE The car took part in the parade, on the back of a lorry. Close to 350 vehicles took part in the procession, 160 of which had been ferried from Britain in 3 specially chartered cargo ships. The Cavalcade was 

      reviewed by the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Sir Basil Brooke.

 

  *EVENT Coventry - Birmingham SMMT Jubilee Cavalcade

  *CORPORATE_BODY organisers : Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

  *CORPORATE_BODY exhibited by : Rootes Securities Ltd

  *PLACE Coventry & Warwickshire & England (start)

  *PLACE Birmingham & Warwickshire & England (finish)

  *DATE 21.9.1946

  *NOTE The car took part in the parade, on the back of a lorry. 

 

  *EVENT VSCC Richard Seaman Trophies Meeting. Exhibition of Record Breaking Cars

  *CORPORATE_BODY organisers : Veteran Sports Car Club (VSCC)

  *PLACE Oulton Park & Cheshire & England

  *DATE 23.6.1962

  *NOTE Static display only, alongside 1920 350hp Sunbeam and 1929 Golden Arrow.

Edited by Pullman99, 11 December 2024 - 09:48.

[Vitesse2]

Trove is always very helpful:

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

Also exhibited in Sydney afterwards:

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

https://trove.nla.go...rchTerm=sunbeam

 

Much of the above actually looks to have been via publicity issued by Dunlops.

[Pullman99]

Trove is always very helpful:

 

 

Thank you Vitesse2.    This all adds to the story. 

 

Just been in the NMM's workshop.   This is the transfer gearbox casing in the process of being rebuilt.    The two large apertures are for the input shafts from the two Matabele engines.   New bearings have been sourced from R&M Bearings that supplied the originals!

 

 

PS:   Vitesse2 I am sending you a PM separately

[Catalina Park]

[Pullman99]

Thanks Michael,

 

Greatly appreciated and, clearly, Sunbeam and its associated suppliers were making the most of exhibiting the car in Melbourne (and later Sydney).    Maybe it should make a return trip in 2028!  

 

Ian

[Sterzo]

Don't you love advertising? British balls are obviously superior.

[Pullman99]

Latest news from Beaulieu - the project now has a dedicated Facebook page BTW - The National Motor Museum engineers have ‘unglued’ the gearbox of Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp and created new parts to make it run again for its 100th anniversary.

 

You can see the reassembly of the gearbox, and much else besides, in the NMM workshop here on You Tube:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=01gt4S6sZys

 

Work revealed chipping on the gears, where the original record-breaking team struggled to get it into second gear for its landmark run at Daytona Beach.   It is the latest stage of the campaign that aims to raise £300k to complete the restoration of the car with the ambition of taking it back to Florida for the centenary of its 203 mph record in March 2027.

Edited by Pullman99, 10 June 2024 - 08:47.

[cooper997]

Back in the early days of Classic Cars magazine, Michael Bowler ran this Sunbeam feature in the August 1974 issue.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Pullman99]

Latest update on the Sunbeam 1000HP restoration kindly filmed by Scarf and Goggles and on You Tube.   Link below:

 

https://www.youtube....4optrjmU&t=774s

 

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the National Motor Museum is running one they made earlier; the Sunbeam 350hp with which Malcolm Campbell set his first World Land Speed Record of 146.16 mph at Pendine on the 24th September 1924 (he became the first to take the record over 150mp the following year).   The museum is also running the 1967 Lotus 49 (chassis R3).    Over on the Cartier Style et Luxe concours event, the museum is displaying its 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost.

Edited by Pullman99, 10 July 2024 - 09:01.

[marksixman]

Thank you for that. Lovely stuff !

[tsrwright]

Quick update!

 

The Transport Torque on the 27th January was extremely well attended and the short talk given by Richard Noble was most welcome as it linked the approach to record breaking technology from 100 years ago with the Sunbeam to the continuing saga of the LSR (and WSR) today.   The NMMT's Doug Hill and Ian Stanfield gave a "state of the union" address on progress on the rebuild and the good news - that was witnessed first hand during the museum tour that followed - is that the work is continuing apace with the initial stages of the reassembly of the first of the two Matabele engines.   The rear one in this case.  I will try and update this thread over the coming months.

 

 

Is there a report or copy of Richard Nobles's talk anywhere?

 

Thanks for a great thread.

[Pullman99]

Is there a report or copy of Richard Nobles's talk anywhere?

 

Thanks for a great thread.

Thank you also for your interest.   It is my intention to update this as often as possible at the slight risk of hogging the Forum!   The Sunbeam talk back in January should have an update in early 2025 all being well.   Just link to the main National Motor Museum website for the latest information on the Transport Torques (link below)

 

https://nationalmoto...nsport-torques/

 

The January 27th talk is here:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=3KOKK-x6_3w

 

I will post separately the link to Part 2 of the Scarf and Goggles progress on the restoration

 

Ian

Edited by Pullman99, 12 August 2024 - 08:54.

[Pullman99]

And, as promised, this is Part 2 of the excellent Scarf and Goggles You Tube item on the Sunbeam 1000HP restoration

 

https://www.youtube....lxJ3FcHc&t=109s

 

Part 3 is to follow shortly.   I will post a link here as soon as it is released.

 

Ian

[Pullman99]

The excellent Scarf and Goggles You Tube channel visited the National Motor Museum earlier this year to record a series of programmes following progress on the restoration of the Sunbeam 1000HP.

 

In this third episode - and with coverage intended to continue as we approach the centenary in 2027 of Henry Segrave's 203mph world land speed record - the NMM's Senior Engineer Ian "Stan" Stanfield discusses the history of the car's two Sunbeam Matabele V12 engines and the challenges in restoring them to running condition.   There is also a close look at the car's bodywork where more "time-capsule" discoveries are revealed.

 

Link to Part 3 below:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=7vXSIjIEHpc

Edited by Pullman99, 31 August 2024 - 08:35.

[Pullman99]

The National Motor Museum has a Sunbeam 1000HP themed stand at this year's Goodwood Revival that starts on Friday 6th September and members of the Beaulieu team will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the restoration.   There is a range of merchandise, including exclusive T shirts and poster, that will be on sale in support of the restoration project.  The NMM's stand is number 244 in the "Over the Road" section.

 

Meanwhile, work on the Sunbeam's chassis and the rear mounted engine continues as highlighted in  the recent series from Scarf and Goggles on You Tube (see link above)

 

 

 

The museum's 350hp Sunbeam will also be present and will feature in a series of start-ups during the weekend

 

Edited by Pullman99, 05 September 2024 - 07:51.

[Pullman99]

Work on the first of the two Sunbeam Matebele engines - this is the rear mounted on - continues to make progress.    The crankshaft should be installed in the crankcase today - coincidentally the 41st anniversary of Thrust 2's land speed record in 1983 - and the Scarf and Goggles You Tube channel has also been filming the latest (Episode 4) instalment this week.

 

 

[Sterzo]

It seems almost a shame to take the beautiful crankshaft and connecting rods and hide them away inside an engine.

[Steve L]

Considering the state this engine was found to be in, have they taken steps to arrest the likely further deterioration of the second while they work on the first (if you see what I mean!)?

[Lee Nicolle]

 

Latest news from Beaulieu - the project now has a dedicated Facebook page BTW - The National Motor Museum engineers have ‘unglued’ the gearbox of Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp and created new parts to make it run again for its 100th anniversary.

 

You can see the reassembly of the gearbox, and much else besides, in the NMM workshop here on You Tube:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=01gt4S6sZys

 

Work revealed chipping on the gears, where the original record-breaking team struggled to get it into second gear for its landmark run at Daytona Beach.   It is the latest stage of the campaign that aims to raise £300k to complete the restoration of the car with the ambition of taking it back to Florida for the centenary of its 203 mph record in March 2027.

 

Some very s/h gears in that box. 2nd in particular. Case casting is far from ideal too. Though since it is all near 100 years old I guess that was ok then.

Oils arent oils Sol,, 100 y/o oil was no where near the quality of modern. I suspect use some modern synthetic in that and will change far nicer.

Recently watching the Australian Artillary museum stripping a 44 Stug F tank gearbox. The oil had totally congealed and was horrible but surprisingly the gears and bearings looked brand new. German wartime oils were generally quite poor. I suspect the tank it came from was put out of service very soon after going into service. German tanks supposedly had weak gearboxes,, that one eas big in every respect. Same place has stripped Grant tanks and the oil has came out very well after sitting for 80 years. Better oils.

The original Stug box was a corroded disaster. Probably lived in the weather on the Eastern front. New parts though come from Poland.