1926 Sunbeam 14/40 Tourer

Lot details
Registration No: UK 2403
Chassis No: 5328F
Mot Expiry: None

Like so many of its contemporaries, the Wolverhampton-based Sunbeam enterprise was a bicycle maker that evolved into a car manufacturer, and the Sunbeam Motor Company Ltd was created in 1905 to separate the two-wheel side of the business from the expanding four-wheel one. However, it was from 1909, under the guidance of the fertile-minded Breton-born engineer/designer Louis Coatalen, that the marque truly began to flourish - the road cars became noted for their quality and refinement and the company's record breakers and race cars notched up a string of international successes.

Sunbeam's initial post WWI offerings were based on its pre-war designs and the first truly new model was the four-cylinder 14 introduced in 1922. A major step forward, it evolved into the 14/40 of 1924. This was powered by the same four-cylinder OHV 2121cc engine, featuring magneto ignition and Claudel Hobson MZP carburetion. This unit was mated to a three-speed gearbox with right-hand change, suspension was by semi-elliptic leaves at the front and cantilever units at the rear, and four wheel brakes were standard fare. The newcomer was offered with a variety of different bodies - two and five-seat Tourers, Coupe, Sports model, Saloon and Saloon by Weymann. A total of some 2,850 14/40s were manufactured during the model's two year reign. Sadly, Sunbeam failed to survive the depression and went into receivership in 1935. Elements of the company were rescued by the Rootes Group, which in turn fell to Chrysler in 1964. The last models to bear the Sunbeam name were the Talbot Sunbeams of the early `80s.

The right-hand drive 14/40 on offer left the Wolverhampton factory in 1926 and is one of the four-door, five-seat Tourers. 'UK 2403' is finished in White with a Black hood and features a Brown interior. We understand it was at one stage owned by the late Peter Wheeler, the man responsible for TVR's most successful era of production. The vendor further informs us that the engine has benefited from an extensive overhaul in recent times. She currently regards the coachwork, paintwork, trim, engine and transmission as all being "good". This handsome vintage thoroughbred is being sold without MOT or tax.