Sunbeam 350 Hp M. Campbell At Speed,Pendine

History of the 350hp Sunbeam

The 350hp Sunbeam was one of the most significant Land Speed Record cars, holding the record on three occasions. It was designed by Sunbeam’s chief engineer Louis Coatalen and built at the company’s Wolverhampton works during 1919 and early 1920. Power came from a modified 18 litre Sunbeam V12 ‘Manitou’ aero engine. Transmission was via a four-speed gearbox and drive shaft.

Famous drivers such as Harry Hawker, Rene Thomas, Jean Chassagne and Kenelm Lee Guinness raced the car with varying amounts of success. Guinness drove it to its first Land Speed Record, achieving 133.75mph at Brooklands on 17th May 1922.

Captain Malcolm Campbell purchased the car from Sunbeam in 1923, undertaking the first of several rebuilds, and repainting it in his famous blue livery as it became the latest in his line of cars to carry the name ‘Blue Bird’. In September 1924, Campbell claimed the Land Speed Record with a run of 146.16mph at Pendine Sands. He returned to Pendine the next year and on 21st July became the first person to break the 150mph barrier with a new record of 150.76mph.

Timeline of the Sunbeam 350hp

1919

Construction of the Sunbeam begins in Wolverhampton during 1919 and early 1920.
1920

The Sunbeam is scheduled to compete in its first race but a burst tyre causes it to crash during a practice lap. Harry Hawker drives the Sunbeam on its first Land Speed Record attempt on 11 December 1920.
1921

Kenelm Lee Guinness drives the Sunbeam for the first time at the Brooklands Easter Meeting. Second gear breaks during the Lightning Short Handicap but this doesn’t stop Guinness achieving second place in the Long Handicap event.

Sunbeam 350 Hp At Brooklands, K.Lee Guinness

1922

On 17 May, Guinness achieves a flying kilometre speed of 133.75mph in the Sunbeam – qualified as a new Land Speed Record. Malcolm Campbell borrows the Sunbeam to compete in the Saltburn Speed Trials. Being only a one-way run, his speed of 138mph is not recognised as an official World Record, so Campbell decides to purchase the car in 1923 to undertake a serious record attempt.
1924

Official Land Speed Record at Pendine, achieving a new record speed of 146.16mph.

1925

Intent on achieving even greater speeds, Campbell advertised the car for sale with a price tag of £1,500 and made plans to build a new record breaking car. July 21 1925 – Campbell decides to make one further land speed record attempt with the Sunbeam and achieves a new Land Speed Record of 150.76mph. The vehicle passes through various owners after 1925.
1957

Purchased by Edward Lord Montagu.
2014

Fired up in January 2014 following a complete mechanical rebuild. The first time it has been heard in public in over 50 years.
2015

Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell, drives the Sunbeam at Pendine for the 90th anniversary of its 150mph World Land Speed Record on 21 July.