Biography 1933 sunbeam 25 23.8 hp
Motor Cars
LOT
Sunbeam hp 'Folding Head' Coupé Registration no. SN Chassis no. R
Sold for £45, inc. premium
Sunbeam hp 'Folding Head' Coupé
Registration no. SN
Chassis no. R
Odometer reading: TBC
MOT: Exempt
*One of only 14 produced
*Known ownership history
*Expertly maintained by Dr Jim Catnach
Footnotes
One of 14 produced, of which only two are known to survive, this handsome Sunbeam hp Folding Head Coup&#; comes with an extensive history file. The history of 'SN ' has been well researched by a previous owner, John Tomsett, and is recounted in his article in the STD Register Journal of winter (copy on file and well worth a read). Mr Tomsett's research revealed that the Sunbeam's first owner was David Johnstone-Smith, a wealthy Scottish accountant. When Mr Johnstone-Smith passed away, the Sunbeam was sold to his local doctor, Dr Thomas Collier-Findlay.
Circa /56, 'SN ' was purchased by Malcolm Templeton. In Mr Templeton sold the Sunbeam and it was purchased in the s by Tony Howarth. 'SN ' then passed through a number of dealers in the North West including Mark Prosser in Altrincham, who had the car re-commissioned by Merlin Classics. From John Aitkins the car passed to Peter Webb in , remaining with him until purchased by John Tomsett.
The current owner, a Sunbeam enthusiast, acquired 'SN ' in and has enjoyed it with his family as well as the odd excursion at Goodwood (photographs on file). During this time, the car has been expertly maintained by the guru of pre-war Sunbeams, Dr Jim Catnach of Lincolnshire, with invoices for his work on file together with numerous photographs of previous restoration works.
Vendor Score Total: 77 /
Bidders should note that the automated point Seller's Assessment is provided by each Seller at the point of consignment using the guidelines below, and is not provided, assessed or verified by Bonhams MPH. Accordingly Customers (Bidders) are on notice that each vehicle is offered "as is / as
Grace's Guide To British Industrial History
Note: This is a sub-section of Sunbeam.
Autumn. Messrs John Marston made a 5 h.p. single-cylinder dogcart. Marston was encouraged in this by Thomas Cureton his right-hand man
Between and the company produced a number of experimental cars but none of these were offered to the market.
The first production car called a Sunbeam was introduced after a partnership with Maxwell Maberly-Smith. The Sunbeam-Mabley design was an odd one, with seats on either side of a belt-drive powered by a single-cylinder engine of less than 3hp. The design was a limited success, with sold at £ when production ended in
February. Details of their 4-hp autocar.
the remaining metalware and japanning part of the business was sold to enable Sunbeam to concentrate solely on vehicle production.
Thomas Charles Willis Pullinger joined the business as Works Manager
Introduced a four-cylinder hp car
Se
Sunbeam car history
Sunbeam was a marque registered by John Marston Co. Ltd of Wolverhampton, England, in The company first made bicycles, then motorcycles and cars from the late 19th century until about , and applied the marque to all three forms of transportation. The company also manufactured aero engines in the First World War and aircraft during the Second World War. A Sunbeam was the first British car to win a Grand Prix race, and set a number of land speed records. The company went into receivership in and was purchased by the Rootes Group, which continued to use the Sunbeam marque.
Early history
John Marston was apprenticed to the Jeddo Works of Wolverhampton as a japanner (metal lacquerer). In , at the age of 23, he bought two tinplate manufacturers and set up on his own as John Marston Co. Ltd. Marston was an avid cyclist, and in set up the Sunbeamland Cycle Factory, producing bikes known as Sunbeams. Between and the company also produced a number of experimental cars, but none were offered to the market.
The first production car named as a Sunbeam was introduced in , after a partnership with Maxwell Maberley-Smith. The Sunbeam-Mabley design was an odd one, with seats on either side of a belt-drive powered by a single-cylinder engine of less than 3 hp ( kW). The design was a limited success, with sold at £ when production ended in (source?? Other sources state made). At that point the company started production of a Thomas Pullinger designed car based on the Berliet mechanicals. They introduced a new model, based on a Peugeot motor they bought for study, in and sold about 10 a week.
In , the Sunbeam Motorcar Company Ltd was formed separate from the rest of the John Marston business, which retained the Sunbeam motorcycles and bicycles.
The Breton car designer, Louis Coatalen, joined the company from Hillman-Coatalen in , and became chief designer. He soon reorganised production such that almost all parts were built by the company, as opposed to