Sunbeam factory racer Charles Conelli 1925 French Grand Prix Montlhery racing

Description

An absolutely superb and rare photo of the
Sunbeam
photographed with
Charles Conelli at the 1925 French Grand Prix at Montlhery.
Sunbeam was the only British make to win a Grand Prix in the first half of the 20th century. Many of the features taken for granted on modern cars were first developed and tested by Sunbeam on the race track and then introduced to their ordinary touring cars. Among features pioneered by Sunbeam were overhead valve engines, brakes on all four wheels, power assisted brakes and twin overhead camshaft engines. Twin cam engines were standard on the
3 litre
Super Sports models from 1924.
On August 13, 1920, Sunbeam merged with the French company Automobiles Darracq S.A.. Alexandre Darracq built his first car in 1896, and his cars were so successful that Alfa Romeo and Opel both started out in the car industry by building Darracqs under licence. In 1919 Darracq bought the London-based firm of Clement-Talbot to become Talbot-Darracq in order to import Talbots into
England
. Adding Sunbeam created "Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq," or "
STD
Motors".
In addition to quality limousine, saloon and touring cars, Coatalen was pleased to build racing cars for Henry Segrave – who won the French and Spanish GPs in 1923/4, see photo!!!
He also built a Brooklands racer for K L Guinness – based on a V12
27 litre
350 hp Sunbeam Manitou engine, originally designed to power the R34 airship. This famous car (Sunbeam 350HP) established a new Land Speed Record at Brooklands and in Malcolm Campbell’s hands at Pendine Sands where it achieved 150.766 mph (242.634 km/h) in 1925 after renaming it the Blue Bird and painting it blue. The same year Coatalen’s new
3 litre
Super Sports came 2nd at
Le Mans
– beating Bentley – this was the first production twin cam car in the world. In 1926 Segrave captured the
LSR
in a new
4 litre
V12 Sunbeam racer originally named Ladybird and later renamed Tiger. Coatalen decided to re-enter the
LSR
field himself, building the truly gigantic Sunbeam 1000HP powered by two 450 hp Matabele engines. On
29 March 1927
the car captured the speed record at 203.792 mph (327.971 km/h).
Sunbeam's great age was really the 1920s under Coatalen’s leadership with very well engineered, high quality, reliable cars — and a great reputation on the track. A later land speed record attempt, the 1930 Silver Bullet, failed to achieve either records, or the hoped-for advances in aero engines. It is now almost forgotten. Sunbeam did not really survive the depression and in 1935 went into receivership and were sold to Lord Rootes. The last true Sunbeam was made in 1935. The new entry model “Dawn” was a typical mid 1930’s design with independent front suspension whereas other models, the 18.2HP and Speed 20 were based on Vintage designs and qualify as PVT under VSCC rules.
This is a very nice and very rare
non period
photo that reflects a wonderful era of Sunbeam ‘s automotive history in a wonderful way.  This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 cm x 30 cm).  It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.