1932 Sunbeam Lion

Lot details
Registration No: YD 5374
Frame No: 12281
Engine No: J6047
cc: 500
MOT Expiry Date: None

Sunbeam always had a well deserved reputation for engineering quality and finish and this was preserved by the policy of do it yourself manufacturing instigated from the outset in 1912 by founder John Marston. Production was kept in house, only a few items such as castings were bought in. What is now known as 'outsourcing' was the norm in the early days of the industry, but frowned upon by the likes of Sunbeam, who much preferred to keep things under close control. y 1920 Sunbeam were winning I.O.M. TT's, the prestige so gained added to the respect the black and gold liveried machines enjoyed well into the thirties. After this golden age the Company passed into the hands of the ICI group and by 1937 the corporate policies of this industrial conglomerate had reduced the company to a poor state and it was eventually broken up and sold to what would become the AMC group. Sunbeam couldn't make a bad product or, more significantly to the bean counters, a big profit. One of the stalwarts in the range of Sunbeams came into the list in 1930 as the model 6. Also designated the 'Lion', and there would be Lions of varying capacity and specification in the range up until the end in 1943.
YD 5374 dates from the apogee of Sunbeam's successful development, a 1932 'Lion' or model 6 with the 489cc single sv engine, which was also available that year with a 599cc power unit. The early history of this bike is unknown but it was owned by the Palumbo family from 1984 until being purchased by the vendor at a Brooks Auction in 1995. It joined his extensive collection of machines-in-waiting for restoration but was never started or run, so has been dry stored since. The machine is fitted with the useful fully enclosed chainguard and appears to be most original, apart from a few minor details. Having not been used for many years careful recommissioning is advised, but a most rewarding restoration awaits a new owner. A Swansea V5 is present.