Beschreibung
DESCRIPTION
The original Sunbeam company was founded by John Marston in 1899 and based in Wolverhampton (UK). Sunbeam was one of the premier British marques in period and first came to prominence with the appointment of Chief Engineer Louis Coatalen in 1909. Soon, Coatalen designed cars were setting new records of all types on the track and indeed, Sunbeam was the only British make to win a Grand Prix in the first half of the 20th century. Sunbeam’s 1933 Speed 20 is a classic of its time, and our example features Sunbeam’s own ‘pillarless’ style four door sedan coachwork, complete with rear-hinged rear doors. It’s a truly majestic looking machine – the stylish bodywork more consistent with the work of a bodybuilder than a factory production model – the Speed 20 Pillarless is extremely elegant with chrome plating showing off its lines to perfection. This body style was sometimes referred to as the “Monte Carlo” model due to the factory entering the 1933 Monte Carlo Rally. The new 1933–34 model Speed 20 was powered by a 3 litre (2913cc) OHV straight-six engine (good for 20. 9 horsepower) that featured an improved exhaust manifold and downdraught carburettor, installed in new cruciform braced chassis. Among technology pioneered by Sunbeam, first on the track and then on the road, were twin overhead camshaft and overhead valve engines, brakes on all four wheels and power assisted braking. At its height in the 1920s, Sunbeam Motor Car Company's Moorfield works employed 3500 staff on a 50-acre site, but it did not survive the Great Depression and fell into receivership in 1934. It was sold to the Rootes brothers but the Sunbeam name endured, surviving on various Rootes and later Chrysler (which absorbed Rootes) and Talbot models until as late as 1981.
HISTORY
- Stunning 1933 Sunbeam Speed 20 Pillarless Saloon
- One of just five believed in existence
- Restored, now displaying nice patina
- Jaguar 3. 4 twin-cam fitted, original 3 litre with the car
- Just 76, 539 original miles
Majestic is the word that springs to mind when encountering this superb 1933 Sunbeam Speed 20. Its four-door Pillarless saloon design must have been truly ground-breaking at its launch and retains that grandeur today, together with a sense of a life well lived. Delivered in October 1933, it was acquired from its original owner, Mr Albert T Isher, by Roy Hancocks in 1976 and underwent a seven-year total restoration. According to the restoration records, it was stripped to bare metal and then had 10 undercoats and seven topcoats applied. Despite its regular use on events in recent times, its black with silver flash paintwork remains in good condition, with a few nicks, scratches and general abrasions of life as you’d expect. It sits on silver-painted wire wheels which, again, are in decent condition. Following its restoration, it was acquired and shown by the Patrick Collection from 1986 to 1992, at which stage it had travelled just 37, 493 miles, believed to be correct at the time. Over the next 27 years the Speed 20 travelled a further 38, 723 miles and today shows 76, 539 original miles on the clock. The car then spent some time in New Zealand where its original Sunbeam 3 litre engine was replaced by a Jaguar 3. 4 litre twin cam engine. More recently, the scuttle timber has also been replaced. Inside, the luxurious brown leather trimmed cabin – easily accessed thanks to the Pillarless design – is a lovely place to be, its leather nicely-aged with the patina of use, its wood pristine and everything is there, including the original sliding sunroof. The brown carpets are a bit threadbare from use, especially in the front, so there’s a general air of ageing but nothing that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of TLC. Its original set of four keys (two for the doors, two for the ignition) come with the car, as do the original tools in the tailor-made boot box and original luggage cases. This car was registered in the UK as DG7629 (these plates are still with the car) and competed in the 1996 Monte Carlo Rally re-run, still displaying the window sticker from event. It recently completed a six-day 3000km rally in the Victorian High Country too. According to the Sunbeam, Talbot, Darracq (STD) Journal of 1999, this car is one just five 1933 Sunbeam Speed 20s in existence, making it a very rare car today. It remains in overall good condition, showing a nice patina of age, with the opportunity for further refurbishment. It has a very detailed history accompanying it, and is being sold with its original, intact, Sunbeam engine. Previously on Victorian club registration, this 1933 Sunbeam is being offered for sale here unregistered.
Bidding for the online auction is opens 11 November and closes 18 November.
Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.
