Lot details
Registration No: KC 9684
Chassis No: 1284E
Mot Expiry: April 2016

- 1 of just c.45 known survivors and extensively restored 1999-2004

- Current family ownership since 1980 and original engine / body

- Rare and desirable Vintage Tourer with 3.2-litre straight-six engine

Further Info:

The 1920s witnessed Sunbeam win the French and Spanish Grand Prixs, finish second at Le Mans, set numerous Land Speed Records and cause Henry Royce consternation regarding the quality and refinement of its products. Introduced at the 1923 Olympia Motor Show, the 20/60 was based around a substantial ladder frame chassis equipped with leaf-sprung suspension (semi-elliptic front / cantilever rear) and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a 3181cc seven-bearing OHV straight-six allied to four-speed manual transmission, the newcomer was reputedly capable of over 70mph (coachwork permitting). Available in Tourer, Sports Model, Enclosed Limousine and Enclosed Landaulette guises, some 1,560 20/60s were made before production ceased during 1926. Though, today only 45 or so are known to have survived.

First registered by Liverpool County Council on 24th June 1925, an accompanying continuation buff logbook shows that `KC 9684' belonged to D. Forbes Keir Esq. post WW2 and relocated with him from Wallasey to London during August 1951. Acquired by Thomas Edward Brown Esq. of Byfleet, Surrey - and later The Sunbeams, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex - some eleven years later, the 20/60 has been in the current family ownership since August 1980. An MOT certificate issued that same year gave the Tourer's recorded mileage as 41,827, while its odometer currently shows 43,700 miles. Part of a large private collection for the past thirty-five years, `KC 9684' was treated to an extensive refurbishment from 1999-2004.

I.S. Polson carried out some early mechanical work but Arthur Archer of Dunmow completed the majority. Stripped to a bare chassis, the Sunbeam had attention paid to its engine (new bearings, pistons, timing chains, crack testing etc), gearbox, back axle (new half shafts), steering box, magneto, dynamo, starter, Autovac, water pump, Claudel Hobson carburettor, suspension, wiring, brakes, hubs and wire wheels. As well as its original straight-six powerplant (number 1286E), the 20/60 pleasingly retains its original Tourer body which was rejuvenated by a Rolls-Royce apprenticed craftsman whose CV includes projects for P&A Wood, Clark & Carter and J.D. Classics. Connolly leather supplied new Maroon leather hides that were fashioned into deep-button upholstery by Barton & Son of Luton, while Robert Smith Coach Trimming of Hemel Hempstead remade the double duck hood and sidescreens.

Assorted invoices and handwritten notes on file suggest that the restoration cost in excess of £58,000 which may seem a modest sum given the extent and quality of the work but then again some of the labour was charged at £10 per hour! Having covered circa 1,800 post-refurbishment miles, more recent fettling has seen `KC 9684' treated to a relined clutch (2006) and overhauled radiator (2009). Starting readily and running well upon inspection - the vendor appearing to engage all four gears without difficulty - the Sunbeam now exhibits a gentle patina. Sporting an `Old Bill' radiator mascot, well-stocked wooden dashboard, rear-mounted luggage trunk, secondary Auster screen, Rotax head- / sidelights, `diver's helmet' rear lights and twin side-mounted spare wheels etc, the 20/60 is beautifully detailed. A decidedly handsome and imposing Vintage Tourer, this `Supreme Sunbeam' is worthy of close inspection.

Offered for sale with fresh MOT certificate and history file containing a period instruction handbook, sundry restoration photos, numerous old MOTs (dating back to 1968) and myriad restoration bills / invoices.