The National Motor Museum Trust

In August 2010 an online design competition will be launched in conjunction with the National Motor Museum's programme of Summer Workshops.

Keep watching this space as more information will be coming soon.

This recently acquired photograph album by Richard H. LeSesne depicts Major Henry Segrave breaking the World Land Speed Record in the unique 1000hp Sunbeam car – the first vehicle to officially exceed 200mph/321.87kph, a feat achieved at Daytona Beach, Florida on 29 March 1927.

The album featuring the 1927 1000hp Sunbeam will complement a later LeSesne photographic account which is already housed in the National Motor Museum Trust’s Collection. The latter depicts Segrave’s World Land Speed Record of 231.362mph/372.341kph, achieved at Daytona on 11 March 1929 driving Golden Arrow.

During the 1920s and 1930s the frontiers of speed and technology were constantly being challenged, and LeSesne specialised in the photography of Land Speed Record attempts at Daytona. His in-depth coverage of these events provides a marvelous insight into the historical achievements at this legendary venue, known as the 'World’s Most Famous Beach'. The images also show the audiences of these big events, demonstrating the immense public enthusiasm for speed and the quest for national acclaim. The curiosity of those who went to see the record attempt cars as they journeyed to Daytona in distinctive shipping crates is captured along with the anticipation of the enormous crowds that lined the nine mile (14.48 kilometre) beach course to witness the events.

Both record-breaking vehicles depicted in the LeSesne albums, the 1927 1000hp Sunbeam and the 1929 Golden Arrow, can be seen in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu along with other famous World Land Speed Record cars.

Browse a selection of images from our 1000hp Sunbeam Album »

The heyday of the promotional vehicle was during the 1920s and the 30s when sign writing became something of an artform and there emerged a vogue for creative and flamboyant coachwork on commercial vehicles.

Wartime austerity saw a sharp decline in such colourful creations and it was not until the 1960s and 70s that companies realled looked to the mobile billboard again as a way of effective advertising.

In recent years, we have once again seen a number of 'marketing mobiles' hit the road, notably the Cadburys Creme Eggs, Red Bull Minis and Lindt Bunny Smart cars.

Vehicles that were on display:

Long journeys have tested drivers and machines from the earliest days of motoring, one of the earliest being the 9,000 mile, 1907 Peking to Paris Rally.

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Work to include:

Clean fuel system £250- Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on Website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Oil change £250 - Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on Website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Lubricate chassis £250 - Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on Website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Chassis service £500-Thank you package: As above, plus photograph with vehicle, tour of National Motor Museum.

Valve service £1,000 - Thank you package: As above, plus VIP tour of National Motor Museum, pair of tickets to 5 major Beaulieu events.

De-coke and valves £2,000 - Thank you package: As above, plus VIP tour of National Motor Museum, pair of tickets to 5 major Beaulieu events.

Fit new rear shock absorbers £5,000* - Thank you package: As above, plus chauffeur driven drive around Beaulieu, Behind the Scenes tour of Workshops or Collections.

Repairs to paint work and treat leather upholstery £5,000* - Thank you package: As above, plus chauffeur driven drive around Beaulieu, Behind the Scenes tour of Workshops or Collections.

Fit new half shafts and machine driven hubs £10,000* - Thank you package: As above, plus chauffeur driven drive around Beaulieu, Behind the Scenes tour of Workshops or Collections, invitation to hundredth birthday celebration for the car in 2014.

*Larger contributions may be paid in stages over a period of time.

Work to include:

New set of tyres £250- Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Repair or re-upholster driver’s seat £250- New set of tyres £250- Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Service and hydraulic check £250- Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Any two of the above £500- Thank you package: As above, plus photograph with vehicle, tour of National Motor Museum.

Repair or replace vinyl roof plus one of the above £1,000 - Thank you package: As above, plus VIP tour of National Motor Museum, pair of tickets to 5 major Beaulieu events.

Work to include:

Hydraulic overhaul £250- Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on Website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

New tyres and get running £250 -Thank you package: Name credit displayed with vehicle and on Website, complimentary tickets to Beaulieu, Certificate of Thanks, signed by Lord Montagu.

Door and windscreen rubbers £500 -Thank you package: As above, plus photograph with vehicle, tour of National Motor Museum.

All the above plus MOT £1,000 As above, plus VIP tour of National Motor Museum, pair of tickets to 5 major Beaulieu events.