{"id":506467,"date":"2023-07-28T00:04:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T00:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportscardigest.com\/?p=506467"},"modified":"2024-12-04T20:35:12","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T20:35:12","slug":"historic-1000hp-sunbeam-restoration-yields-historic-artifacts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/historic-1000hp-sunbeam-restoration-yields-historic-artifacts\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic 1000hp Sunbeam restoration yields historic artifacts"},"content":{"rendered":"

National Motor Museum mechanics have discovered time capsule finds during the start of the restoration of Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp<\/a>. The historic finds were made while the workshop team removed its two colossal V12 aero engines, workings and body panels for the Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign. The campaign aims to raise \u00a3300k to restore \u2018The Slug\u2019 and take it back to Daytona Beach<\/a> in Florida for the 100th anniversary of its record-breaking run in 2027.<\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9 National Motor Museum, Beaulieu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Preserved for close to a century<\/h2>\n

A 1920s wooden handle screwdriver, which was used by one of the original mechanics before Major Henry Segrave broke the 200mph barrier, had been dropped into the filler neck of its engine oil tank while he checked the levels \u2013 and stayed inside for almost a century. Meanwhile, a preserved shilling with a 1921 stamp was found in solidified oil on top of the rear suspension spring, when bodywork was taken off to expose the chassis. An adjustable spanner from the time of its landmark run was also uncovered after being similarly \u2018glued\u2019 to the chassis with vegetable-based Castrol R oil.<\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9 National Motor Museum,<\/p>\n

Beaulieu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What’s making that noise?<\/h2>\n

National Motor Museum<\/a> Senior Engineer Ian Stanfield explained: \u201cIt\u2019s the first 200mph screwdriver, which couldn\u2019t have been removed from the oil tank because it was buried under the engine. We cleaned out the tank where the oil had solidified, using hot water and detergent, and after shaking the tank the vintage screwdriver eventually tipped out. After the LSR breaking run, the oil would have stuck like glue on top of the chassis which is where we made the other discoveries. It is like a time capsule which is all part of the incredible history of Sunbeam 1000hp. It has only ever been driven for 50 miles to break the world record and these are the style of tools the mechanics would have used when they built it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The National Motor Museum<\/a>\u2019s specialist workshop team has needed to make its own bespoke tools to fit the iconic record breaker to dismantle it. Visitors to Beaulieu can see the exposed chassis on show in the National Motor Museum until Sunbeam 1000hp is taken to motoring events at the end of the summer.<\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9 National Motor Museum,<\/p>\n

Beaulieu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Future plans<\/h2>\n

The Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign was launched with Hampshire-based Brookspeed Automotive in March. To help raise the profile of the vehicle\u2019s centenary celebrations and fundraising campaign \u2013 through individual donations and corporate sponsorship \u2013 there are plans to take it to Europe and on tour to motoring museums across America. Opportunities will also be offered for schools, colleges and universities to get involved with STEM workshops and activities.<\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9 National Motor Museum,<\/p>\n

Beaulieu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sunbeam\u2019s 22.5 liter engines, each producing 435bhp, have not run since before World War II<\/a> more than 80 years ago \u2013 after corrosion attacked internal workings. With painstaking rebuilding, using specialist knowledge and bespoke parts, National Motor Museum engineers will recapture the sounds, sights and smells of this ground-breaking machine and help to preserve it for future generations.<\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9 National Motor Museum,<\/p>\n

Beaulieu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Donations welcome<\/h2>\n

Funds are now needed to turn back the clock and complete the full restoration project. Donations for the Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign can be made online HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

Sponsors and corporate donors who would like to be associated with the campaign are urged to contact by emailing michelle.kirwan@beaulieu.co.uk.<\/p>\n

Original story here<\/a><\/p>\n