26th Mar, 2025 12:00

National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands

 
Lot 227
 

1940 Sunbeam C24S
One of just a handful known

Sold for £8,970

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: GGF 409
Frame No: 1155
MOT: Exempt

  • Rare Sunbeam 'high cam' restored to a good standard
  • Just a handful known to have survived on the Sunbeam Register
  • Matchless-style forks and brake with check springs, Burman gearbox, and high-level exhaust pipe
  • Running well and used sparingly by the current owner
  • V5C on file with a host of paperwork and a 1939 spares book
  • All correct numbers

AMC bought the Sunbeam business in 1937 as a well-established motorcycle manufacturer. Production moved from Wolverhampton to Plumstead. There was so much stock available that it was enough to sustain production in London for more than a year. At the end of 1938 a new line of OHV machines was launched, ranging from a 250cc to a 600cc. The new engine design was of the high camshaft type with the cylinder barrel sunk deep into the large crankcase. It has a large timing cover with a wonderful “Sunbeam” script which contains the chain that drives the magdyno and is tensioned by a Weller tensioner. The brakes were improved, notably to an 8" drum with improved stopping. The models were offered in standard guise and in Sports (S) and Competition (T) form. The B25S had Sports mudguards, upswept exhaust pipe, and a specially tuned engine with a high-compression piston and polished cylinder head and ports. The C24S was the last pre-war Sunbeam design.

This wartime 1940 Sunbeam C24S was purchased by the vendor's father-in-law way back in the early 1970s. Due to commitments, the Sunbeam was left untouched until it was left to the son-in-law, as he was seen as a worthy candidate for the restoration of the C24S and saving it from the scrap man in 1999. The current vendor finally set about the restoration of this very rare model at the start of 2000, with only a handful known to the Sunbeam Register. Completely stripped down to the frame, components were thoroughly checked, cleaned and replaced where necessary. The restoration took several years and attention to the correctness was paramount for this machine, which included a trip to Scotland from the vendor's house of some 500 plus miles. Since the restoration of the Sunbeam, until recently, the vendor had taken it to many shows and events. The restoration has held up, it presents very well and is a good example of the model. It comes complete with a V5C, old photos of when it was found and restored, handbook and parts books, copies from Bruce Main Smith and many old tax discs dating back to 1947.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217

 

Auction: National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands, 26th Mar, 2025

VIEW MOTORCYCLE ENTRIES VIEW VINTAGE SCOOTER ENTRIES 

An auction of classic motorcycles & vintage scooters taking place at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, West Midlands.

VENUE INFORMATION GET A COMPLIMENTARY VALUATION

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Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our website, by telephone and commission. 

Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.

To enquire about entering your motorcycle or vintage scooter into auction please call our sales office on 01925 210035, email sales@HandH.co.uk or click the Get A Valuation button. Valuations are complimentary and without obligation.

To join the auction in person or via the telephone, please click here for more information How to BidTo take part in online bidding please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page or bid through our auction partners Saleroom.com Saleroom.com

Viewing

Tues 25th March from 1pm 
Wed 26th March from 9am

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All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

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If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

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