Sunbeam 25hp Limousine

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 firm achieved the ranks of greatness, producing a string of record breaking racing machines and outstanding sports saloons. These included the fabulous Sunbeam 1000hp which set a land speed record of 203.792mph in 1927, and the smooth and potent 12/16. Their passenger cars were noted for their excellent build quality and refinement, attracting customers from the top echelons of society, HRH the Duke of Gloucester being particularly fond of his 25hp.

The Sunbeam 25hp was introduced in 1933 at the top of the range, and was based on the outgoing 20. Priced at £875 for the four-door saloon, it was beyond the reach of all but the wealthiest motorists. It was fitted with an 80mm bore and 110mm stroke six-cylinder 3,317cc OHV engine with seven main bearings and was noted for its smoothness and excellent power, being rated at 23.8hp with a top speed of almost 80mph. Drive was via a four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top two ratios, while braking was hydraulic to all four wheels. The Sunbeam 25hp is accepted by the VSCC in their PVT (Post Vintage Thoroughbred) list showing just how well respected these models really are, expanding enormously the range of events in which it can be used.

According to documents in the history file, this particular 25hp Limousine was supplied new in October 1933 by Clyde Auto Co Ltd of Glasgow to first owners Campbell Bros & Irvine of Kirriemuir, Angus. They were to keep the car for 36 years until ownership transferred to William Thompson of Forfar in April 1969, who was to keep it for another 37 years although it was laid up in storage for most of this time. In 2006 it was acquired by Ian Laird of Forfar who recommissioned the car and put it back on the road in 2009. The current vendor acquired the car earlier this year, driving it some 400 miles from Forfar to Shropshire with no problems whatsoever.

A rare four-light limousine (this configuration giving greater privacy to rear seat passengers than the six-light model), HS 7263 is reputed to have carried Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on many occasions, her birthplace and childhood home, Glamis Castle, being only some five miles from Kirriemuir and Forfar where the car spent most of its life. A full seven-seater with two fold-away occasional seats in the rear and a wind-up glass division, the car is in remarkably original condition throughout with beautifully patinated brown leather upholstery and doorcards. Even the West of England cloth headlining appears to be original and is also in fine condition.

Apart from an older respray in the original black, the car is said to be unrestored and the 51,200 miles on the clock is believed to be genuine although there is insufficient history to warrant this. Said to drive beautifully, it certainly fired up readily and ran beautifully on the occasion of our visit to take these photographs.

The car is supplied with a small amount of history including a buff continuation log book from 1951, a copy of an original owner's handbook and a set of four wheel discs. Currently taxed and with an MOT until July 2012, this is a wonderfully well-preserved example of this most aristocratic motorcar which is ready for many more decades of useful life.