1,000hp Sunbeam
The impressive 1,000hp Sunbeam was one of the first purpose-built Land Speed Record cars and the first to reach 200mph. The driver was Major Henry Segrave, a previous record holder at the wheel of a 4 Litre Sunbeam at Southport in March 1926.
The concept for the car came from Sunbeam’s Chief Engineer Louis Coatalen with detailed design work by Captain J S Irving. Power was from two 22.5 litre V12 Matabele aero engines, each delivering 435bhp. These were positioned in line with the driver’s cockpit in between. Transmission was via three-speed gearbox, driveshaft and chains. Actual power output was around 900hp but the 1,000hp title probably appealed to Sunbeam’s directors.
nationalmotormuseum.org.uk