Lot Ended
Description
Impressive family transport; Sunbeam quality; loads of history from
new; gearbox overhaul in 2002; well-sorted and ready for the
summer
The Sunbeam marque, particularly their pre-war models, had an
enviable reputation for quality, durability and silence of operation. Their
engineering was second to none and they had strong export markets,
particularly in Colonial countries where reliability was highly prized - you
don't want to break down in the Australian Outback!
This 1928 16.9hp was
despatched from Wolverhampton as a rolling chassis destined for Australia. It
was purchased by the Queensland Country Political Party who had a saloon body
fitted locally. They kept and used it until 1945. The QCPP was described
by the son of a subsequent owner as 'a deeply conservative rural-based
party' and the car was used to 'transport red-necked political hillbillies
around the back-blocks of the State'. It eventually broke a piston and was
stored behind a local garage.
There are several b&w photos in
the file of its new owners (including the author of the article quoted
above), the Noakes family, who acquired it for £50 in 1947 and were to keep it
and use as their everyday transport for the next 10 years. Old man Noakes, a
skilled and trained fitter, soon sorted it out and it provided almost complete
reliability over some of the worst roads in the world 'to all manner of places
of wonder and delight'.
They kept it until 1964 when Mr Croston
purchased it 'as a wreck' for £10. He kept it as a project, his son finally
getting round to starting its restoration in 1982. By this time, it has lost its
saloon body, the harsh road conditions having literally shaken it to
bits.
By 1986 he had run out of steam and it was sold to Des Donnan who
continued the work, fitting an open four-seater body, the project being
completed in around 1997. A year later, he bought the car to the UK to use on
holiday, leaving it here with a new UK custodian, F Haslam, who was to keep
and enjoy the car until 2017 when it came into the hands of its current
owner.
To accompany this almost complete ownership history is a copy of
the article by Peter Noakes, copious notes on its build, reference docs and
general information on the model, including an original handbook.
A list
of work done since its arrival in the UK shows a fully rebuilt gearbox in 2002
with new gears, a new tank, engine overhaul including core plugs etc, several
dynamo rebuilds, brake overhauls and a rebuilt starter. There are multiple
bills to show the work done.
This most impressive Sunbeam has room for
all the family, a quality hood, split tonneau front and rear and a useful trunk
on the back for picnics.
It has a fascinating history and looks
exceptional value for a top-quality tourer in the finest Vintage
tradition.
Contact [email protected]
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