<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Easily the most sophisticated machines of the 22 cars entered, the four Sunbeams were the clear favorites. In the race the main opposition came from the sleeve-valve engined Minervas. Kenelm Lee Guinness dominated the race but Coatalen's other cars were forced to retire in the grueling race around the Isle of Mann. After two days, 16 laps and 600 miles of racing just six cars survived. Kenelm Lee Guinness was among them and beat the second placed Minerva by over twenty minutes. He broke the lap record several times in the process.
Less than a month after the 1914 Sunbeam's successful debut, three cars were entered in the all-important French Grand Prix. Although the Grand Prix cars were virtually identical - only the wheelbase was slightly longer - it is not known if these were updated Tourist Trophy cars or brand new machines. Ironically Mercedes swept the podium with their conventional Grand Prix cars. The fastest Peugeot placed fourth and Dario Resta saved Sunbeam's honour by finishing fifth. His two team-mates were forced to retire with engine problems.
A week later war swept across the continent and all racing was suspended. Two of the 1914 Sunbeams were sent to the United States to compete in several races including the 1915 Indy 500. A year later six cylinder Sunbeams of a similar design appeared. They were raced with considerable success. It seems that after the War all surviving cars were shipped back to the Wolverhampton factory and disassembled. The pile of parts was eventually used to build three complete Tourist Trophy Sunbeams and one six cylinder Indy car. All four have survived and one changed hands for a staggering 723,250 Euro back in 2004. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Easily the most sophisticated machines of the 22 cars entered, the four Sunbeams were the clear favorites. In the race the main opposition came from the sleeve-valve engined Minervas. Kenelm Lee Guinness dominated the race but Coatalen's other cars were forced to retire in the grueling race around the Isle of Mann. After two days, 16 laps and 600 miles of racing just six cars survived. Kenelm Lee Guinness was among them and beat the second placed Minerva by over twenty minutes. He broke the lap record several times in the process.