Lot 535: 1905 Sunbeam 12/14hp Four-cylinder Five Seat Side

John Marston developed his Midlands business from initial manufacture of tinware items, through cycle manufacture, where the name Sunbeam first appeared, and ultimately to motor car manufacture, building his first motor car, a 4hp, belt-driven prototype in 1899. The 2 3/4hp De Dion-engined and supposedly skid-proof Sunbeam-Mabley was in production from 1901 to 1904, however the arrival of T. C. Pullinger at Wolverhampton in 1903 saw production switch to more conventional, four-cylinder motor cars. Pullinger adopted a Berliet design for his new four-cylinder motor cars announced at the end of the 1902 season. This was a winning formula, the early models featuring automatic inlet valves, flitch-plate chassis frames, transmission via double side chains with Sunbeam�s own oil-bath chain cases. Sunbeam were seriously in business with the new model which ranked for quality alongside Panhard-Levassor of France and Mercedes in Germany. The 12/14hp model was first noted in the motoring press at the end of 1904. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine of 84 x 120mm bore and stroke, displacing 2,660cc. The new model featured mechanically operated inlet valves set in a T-head arrangement with cylinders cast in pairs. Drive was through a four-speed gearbox with right-hand gate change and chain drive being retained for the new model.

The full history of this car is not recorded but it is known that in 1931 it had been taken in part exchange by H. R. T. Swiney for a later model Sunbeam, its previous owner having used the car as his only means of transport since before the Great War. In 1932 it appeared on stage in Drury Lane in �Wild Violets� (see Bruce Dowell�s Sunbeam book, page 29). In 1945 ownership passed to Sunbeam Talbot Ltd. and from 1946 the car was part of the Rootes Group Historic Vehicle Collection. From 1958 to 1962 it was displayed at The Montagu Motor Museum at Beaulieu, passing thereafter to V.C.C. stalwarts Anthony Simons, Mike Hawley (who recorded its restoration in detail) and then to Alan Curry in 1988, who again restored the car, finishing it in its present handsome dark blue livery. The car has been in the present enthusiastic ownership since 1995, during which time it has been well used and used well. It has participated in the last six London to Brighton Runs and the owner reports �the car of course finished the Run every time faultlessly�. Previously dated by the Veteran Car Club as 1904, in the light of further information they have since suggested that this car is of 1905 manufacture.

Coachwork is finished in the aforementioned dark blue livery with superb black deep-buttoned leather upholstery. It enjoys the luxury of a hood and is equipped with a tonneau cover. Driving equipment includes Lucas no.721 brass side lamps and a centre-mounted �Sunrise� brass acetylene headlamp. Further equipment includes a brass driver�s mirror and audible warning of approach is given by a brass �ding-dong� bell and an exhaust whistle. Motoring badges include R.A.C., A.A. and Motor Union.

This magnificent five-seat motor car comes with a Swansea V5 registration document, current road fund licence and MoT certificate. Although eminently suitable and eligible for The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run this car is also well able to hold station with younger Edwardian motor cars on longer distance events.

Note: The Royal Automobile Club have confirmed to the vendor that LBVCR Grandfather Rights remain with the veteran car in question and veteran cars eligible for Grandfather Rights will be able to take part in both 2006 and subsequent London to Brighton Veteran Car Runs. This car qualifies for Grandfather Rights having previously been issued with a full Certificate of Dating by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain showing the date of the car as 1904 or earlier and having participated on previous runs.