1932 Sunbeam 20hp (23.8) Six-Light Saloon

Registration No: JW 1770
Chassis No: 17205/P
MOT: Exempt

• Understood to be a former motor show Car
• Subsequently retained by Sunbeam and used to ferry VIPs etc
• Former owners include 'Bunty' Scott Moncreif and Mrs Louise Mayhew
• Subject to over £9,000 worth of fettling during the current ownership

Revised for 1931, the Sunbeam 20hp gained a larger 3317cc OHV straight-six (rated at 23.8hp), stronger chassis, Zenith carburettor, ‘silent third’ gearbox and vacuum servo brakes. A mere 752 examples are thought to have been made.

Bodied in-house as a Six-Light Saloon, chassis 7205P was first registered to the Sunbeam Motor Car Co Ltd on 6^th June 1932 (complete with the Wolverhampton number plate ‘JW 1770’). Finished in Black with Red leather upholstery, the 4/5-seater is understood to have served as a motor show exhibit, factory demonstrator and VIP transport. Its accompanying buff logbook suggests that the Sunbeam was subsequently sold into the hackney carriage trade before being reclassified for private usage in November 1957. The Saloon’s owner at the time, Albert Reed of Stafford, was succeeded by James Middleton and Antony Divey. Mr Divey is understood to have purchased ‘JW 1770’ from the renowned dealer and historian David ‘Bunty’ Scott-Moncrieff during June 1964. Relocating from Stafford to Norfolk where he worked for Lotus and later designed the Triking, his seventeen-year custodianship was eclipsed by that of Louise Mayhew who kept the 20hp from 1981-2007. Treated to a thorough engine overhaul by Thomas Sedgwick Engineers Ltd of Attleborough in 1983, the past fifteen years have seen the Sunbeam benefit from overhauls of its cylinder head, starter motor and dynamo plus the fitment of a stainless-steel exhaust and Kenlowe fan. Purchased by the seller from previous keeper Bob Gathercole for £32,000 on 27^th August 2016, the Saloon relocated to the Scottish Highlands. After an irksome journey north, ‘JW 1770’ was entrusted to Richard B. Watson of Forres, a specialist in Rolls-Royce, Bentley and HRG cars, who spent 219.5 hours attending to the ignition, fuel, coolant and braking systems (total cost £8,895.22 including parts). Further enhanced with a bespoke exhaust manifold incorporating flexi-joints, the 20hp started readily and ran well during our recent photography session. A charming Post-Vintage Thoroughbred Saloon, ‘JW 1770’ is offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737