National Motor Museum engineers are rebuilding the second engine of World Land Speed Record Breaker Sunbeam 1000hp in the countdown to its planned 100th anniversary run at Daytona.
They had found more problems than expected while dismantling the front engine and extensive work has been carried out, both on and off-site, to repair the original parts.
Cracks were discovered in four engine blocks, after water had frozen in the system during Sunbeam’s earlier life, and all needed specialist welding by external partners OCS Automotive Engineering and Read Performance.
Rust from pistons and cylinder bores was machined out of the blocks then replaced with steel liner, while a complete set of piston rings has been saved intact and cleaned for the rebuild.
Sunbeam’s con rods have also been worked on by Marcos Motor Company’s Formhalls Engine Services, whose craftsmanship in white metal bearings also helped with the restoration of Sunbeam’s first engine.
All parts are now back in the National Motor Museum workshop, where the team is reassembling Sunbeam’s colossal 22.5 litre Matabele V12 aero engine.
See work on the rebuild here: https://youtu.be/K9Wa91P6kDc
Countdown race is on
The clock is ticking to complete the restoration for Sunbeam 1000hp to be shipped to the USA to take centre stage at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in California in August.
The aim is to take ‘The Slug’ back to Daytona for a momentous low-speed centenary run in March 2027, to celebrate Sir Henry Segrave breaking the 200mph World Land Speed Record on the beach 100 years ago.
Sunbeam 1000hp can run on just one engine but the team’s challenge is to hear both engines roar again for the first time in over 90 years.
National Motor Museum engineers are using their knowledge from the first engine rebuild to work on the second, though both engines are unique and run in opposite directions. There are no manuals or documentation to help.
Meanwhile, the Sunbeam chassis is also being restored while on display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.
Impressive steel wheel arches and chain guards, which help keep the driver safe, have been bolted back on. Aerodynamic wheel spinners are also currently being made.
Keeping Sunbeam’s radiators cool is vital, so work is being carried out on the original air ducts to take air away from both engines during the run.
Funds are needed to see this important part of World Land Speed Record history restored, displayed and run again. Donations can be made online at https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/sunbeam-1000hp-restoration-campaign/.