Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

  Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Great Britain  > Sunbeam
Racing cars  > Pre 1950 GP
     2-Litre Grand Prix
Car search:
Quick Advanced 


  Sunbeam 2-Litre Grand Prix      

  Article Image gallery (16) Chassis (2) 1.22 Specifications  
Click here to open the Sunbeam 2-Litre Grand Prix  gallery   
Country of origin:Great Britain
Produced in:1922
Numbers built:4
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:July 16, 2009
Download: All images
Chassis: 1.22
Understood to be the prototype, this car was extensively tested both on the road and at Brooklands before debuting at the Isle of Man in the hands of works driver Jean Chassagne. Against much larger engined rivals, the new two-litre car excelled and scored an outright victory. For the Strasbourg Grand Prix, three new cars were built and this chassis served as the spare. When the car earmarked for Henry Segrave caught fire, this chassis was pressed into service but not before it was quickly refurbished by a nearby coach-builder. Sadly, catastrophic valve failures prompted all three Sunbeams to retire. Returned to the factory, all four cars were rebuilt and sold.

This car was long believed to be chassis 4.22 until during a comprehensive restoration by specialist Paul Grist all paint was removed and the stamping 1.22 was revealed on the front dumb-irons. Further metallurgical research in 2006 showed that there had been no alternative stamps on the original chassis. It spent all of its life in British hands and was eventually acquired by Paul Grist in 1973 for a full restoration. This was long overdue as the previous owners had used it extensively and replaced parts when necessary. Grist returned the car to its Strasbourg Grand Prix configuration and since then it has been shown at select events. Between 1989 and 2022, it has had just two owners the latter of which consigned it to the Goodwood Revival sale.
(Source: The Strasbourg Sunbeams, by Neville S. Webb)

Chassis details
Manufactured in 1922
First owner Sunbeam
Appearances
Most recent auction(s)

2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed
2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed

  Article Image gallery (16) Chassis (2) 1.22 Specifications