Lot Ended
Description
Top quality Post Vintage machine; current owner 13 years;
well-maintained and in super condition with a beautifully quiet engine;
extremely rare model, one of only five known to survive; interesting
history; driven 30 miles to the sale; find another!
The Wolverhampton firm of Sunbeam built its first car in
1899, but it was in the Louis Coatalan years of 1909 to 1933 that
the 'Supreme Sunbeam' achieved the ranks of greatness, producing a
string of record breaking racing machines and outstanding sports saloons. These
included the fabulous Sunbeam 1,000hp which set a land speed record of 203.79mph
in 1927. Their passenger cars were noted for their excellent build quality and
refinement, as typified by the Sunbeam 16 and 18 of the
late-1920s/early-1930s.
This Sunbeam 18.2 has
Salmons & Sons coachwork with their ingenious Tickford hood
mechanism and comes with a large history file extending back many years.
First registered in Gloucestershire in July 1932 with the number DG 4646, it was
bought very early in its life (possibly when new) by Theodore John Chichester
Acton who worked for the Indian Civil Service. He had the car shipped to India
as his own personal transport, bringing it back to the UK when he returned here
in c.1946 – (there is a letter on file from Amal Carburettors dated January 1935
advising the owner on which jets to fit while using the car in
India).
It
remained in the Acton family until 1974 when it was acquired by a Mr TRS
Worthington of Coventry, passing through two or three further owners before our
vendor acquired it in 2011.
Invoices show that
much money was spent on the car in 2009 including an overhaul of the engine,
gearbox and back axle by Classic Vehicle Engineering of Whittlesey. It also had
a full overhaul of the brakes and suspension with many new parts fitted; new
wiring loom; new clutch; new radiator core; new tyres; new carpets; new hood;
battery cut-off switch; cigar lighter power point in the glove box plus
much else besides. A letter from the then-owner complements CVE on their
excellent work, stating that the car drove beautifully on the 60-mile journey
home.
Our vendor acquired the car from Robin
Lawton Vintage Cars in March 2011 and promptly sent it to those excellent chaps
at Fisher Restorations of Droitwich for a thorough check-over and a new MOT.
This included having all the leaf springs and Luvax shock absorbers
reconditioned and the braking system adapted for DOT5 (silicone). The steering
geometry was also professionally set up by Brewster Mudie of Bromsgrove.
From c.2018 – 2023 the car resided at our
vendor’s second home in the sunny South of France where it always attracted a
great deal of attention while out and about. Since returning to these shores the
vendor has gone right through the car to make sure that all is in good shape for
the new owner.
Many old tax discs and 22 old
MOTs back to 1974 show that it has been in light regular use (always a good sign
with a car of this vintage). The history file also contains much useful
technical information about the model, literature from the Sunbeam Talbot
Darracq Register and a copy of an original instruction manual for the Sunbeam
16hp. The 18.2 was basically a 16 with the engine bored out from 2,194cc to
2,366cc. Although the old buff logbooks and an old V5 from 1988 record this car
as an 18.2 (2,366cc), the current V5C records the capacity as 2,194cc although
whether this is a DVLA error or the engine has been swapped at some point
isn’t clear.
Driven some 30 miles to the sale,
the vendor reports that the car runs and drives as well as it looks, bowling
along happily at 45mph with more in hand when required. He states that the
four-wheel brakes are very effective, as is the handbrake, and that it steers
well with no slop or play. It has certainly been starting promptly and running
beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with healthy oil pressure and a
notably sweet and quiet engine. The Tickford hood is a delight to use, rising
smoothly and easily via a crank handle inserted into the rear
left quarter-panel and fitting very snugly indeed.
Affectionately known as ‘Flossie’, this is one of only five
Tickford Sunbeams known to survive worldwide, one of which is in Australia and
another of which has been converted to a fixed head. It is well-known to the
Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Register, a thriving club which is always on hand to
provide technical support and also hosts many social events at which Flossie and
her new owners will be warmly welcomed
The Sunbeam 18.2 is also accepted
by the VSCC in their PVT (Post Vintage Thoroughbred) list showing the great
respect in which this quality model is held and expanding the wide range of
events for which it is eligible.
For more
information contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT