Six-month countdown to World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp centenary run

At this time in history a century ago, work had not yet even started on constructing World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp.

Yet within just four months the massive machine, powered by two colossal 22.5 litre Matabele V12 aero engines which shook the building during testing, was created from start to finish in the Sunbeam works in Wolverhampton.

Work under the watchful eye of chief engineer Captain J.S. ‘Jack’ Irving began on the legendary Sunbeam on 11th November 1926, as he brought Louis Coatalen’s concept to life. And by 2nd March 1927, the car was being loaded with 18 crates of spares on the Berengaria liner in Southampton, bound for New York.

There can only have been limited time for testing, which showed the car’s rear lifting in the wind tunnel at speed and the drive chains running almost red hot during tests. Any problems needed quick solutions, as the engineering team worked to create a machine capable of smashing the Land Speed Record with Henry Segrave at the wheel.

In March 1926, Segrave had already set a record at 152.33mph in another Sunbeam, the red 4-Litre Tiger nicknamed ‘Ladybird’, though within six weeks it had been taken by John Godfrey Parry Thomas driving ‘Babs’ on Pendine Sands close to 170mph. Segrave wanted to not only top that but break through the 200mph barrier.

‘The Slug’, as it was affectionately known by the works team, had only run a few hundred yards in Britain before its first test run on Daytona Beach in front of 10,000 spectators. After that initial run on March 21st, there were only days left for modifications before the record attempt on March 29th.

The speedy construction and arrival of the strange beast in Florida led to the American press dubbing it the ‘Mystery’ when it appeared on their shores.

Award nominations as countdown begins

There are now just six months until the restored Sunbeam 1000hp runs on Daytona Beach once again to mark the 100th anniversary in 2027.

A painstaking heritage project by engineers at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has restored the entire car and twin engines back to working order and is now earning the dedicated team, led by Ian Stanfield, nominations for top awards.

Sunbeam 1000hp has made the shortlist for International Historic Motoring Awards Car of the Year. To add your vote to help secure the esteemed award visit: www.magnetomagazine.com/articles/vote-now-for-the-esteemed-2026-ihma-car-of-the-year-award/.

The impressive car, which played such an important role in World Land Speed Record history, is now on show in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles after making a star appearance at the world-famous World famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

To follow Sunbeam’s itinerary in the USA, its history and restoration see https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/sunbeam1000hp.

The Sunbeam 1000hp restoration was made possible by the much-valued support of hundreds of individuals and collaboration partners.

The National Motor Museum needs your support to ensure the preservation of the museum’s collections for future generations, enabling further restoration projects and the delivery of high-quality learning, educational and community initiatives. Funds are also needed for Sunbeam 1000hp, to complete the project and enable its run at Daytona in 2027. To donate online, please visit: https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/support-us/donate-to-the-national-motor-museum-trust/