1914 Sunbeam Tourist Trophy Racer

Matthew Wills acquired this 1914 Sunbeam Tourist Trophy Race Car from the factory in June 1921 and subsequently registered it as 'DA 5852.' After passing through several owners, it was converted to a two-seater coupe. Around 1940, Anthony Heal recognized the historical significance of this car and added it to his collection. Nearly a decade later, it was acquired by C.R. Abbott, who restored it and returned the Sunbeam to its original Tourist Trophy specifications. A year later, in 1950, Stanley Sears purchased the Sunbeam and actively raced it, winning the Edwardian Class at Prescott in 1951 and securing 3rd Place in the 1952 VSCC Silverstone Itala Trophy race. Podium finishes were also achieved at events such as Prescott and the Pomeroy Trophy contest.

Stanley's son, Jack, joined his father in vintage car racing in 1951 at VSCC Silverstone, where he began his journey with the Sunbeam TT. Among the accolades he achieved were an overall victory in the 1954 and 1963 VSCC Pomeroy.

Stanley Sears sold the Sunbeam TT in 1969 to its current caretaker, who continued to compete with the car, including achieving 'fastest Edwardian' at VSCC Silverstone in 1986.

This Sunbeam TT is currently finished in British Racing Green and is powered by a 3,295cc DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine fitted with a Claudel-Hobson Carburetor. It has a four-speed manual gearbox, two-wheel rear mechanical brakes with internal expanding shoes, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2024