1932 Sunbeam 20.9hp Convertible with Dickey, Registration no. MOB 777 Chassis no. 2019L

* Owned by Brin Edwards for more than 50 years
* An older restoration
* Last used in approximately 2010
* Requires re-commissioning

John Marston Limited's first Sunbeam production car, a De Dion-engined voiturette, was sold in 1901, but it was not until 1907, two years after the Sunbeam Motor Car Company had been formed, that the firm produced its first all-British model, the 16/20. The arrival of designer Louis Coatalen in 1909 and the pursuit of an effective competition programme enabled Sunbeam to establish a formidable reputation prior to WWI, its superbly made products enjoying a reputation rivalling that of the best from Alvis and Bentley thereafter. Introduced for 1927 and priced at £750, the first 20hp Sunbeam enjoyed a production life of some five years, being superseded by a new Twenty for 1933. The first Twenty featured a massively built chassis frame sprung by all-round semi-elliptics and was powered initially by a 2,916cc overhead-valve 'six, derived from that of the earlier 14/40hp, which shared bore/stroke dimensions of 75x110mm with the famous 3.0-litre twin-cam Super Sports.

The model's RAC rating was 20.9 hp and it is commonly referred to as such, although the nomenclature '20/70hp' was often used in Australia. Of monobloc design, with camshaft driven off the front of the four-main-bearing crankshaft, the engine was fed by a Claudel Hobson carburettor mounted on the off-side, while the auxiliaries, including water pump, dynamo, and magneto, sat on the near-side. The right-hand change gearbox incorporated four forward speeds and reverse gear, with 'torque tube' drive to the rear axle. The 20.9's brakes were operated via a rod and cable system while the suspension was typical of the day, with half-elliptic springs at the front and cantilever springs at the rear.

According to Bruce Dowell's authoritative book, 'Sunbeam: The Supreme Car', no more than 2,550 20.9hp models would have been made up to 1930, although the true production figure is not known for certain.

Nevertheless, it is known that Sunbeam produced 2,288 cars in 1927, the highest total for any year in the inter-war period and an indication of how well the range was received by the general public. The lion's share of production was taken up by the smaller 16hp and mid-range 20hp cars, with the more expensive models being produced in comparatively limited numbers, each of which was completed with bodywork to the customer's personal requirements. Sunbeam's own coachbuilding division was highly regarded, producing bodywork in a wide variety of styles and always to the highest standards.

Brin Edwards owned this Sunbeam for more than 50 years and used it to tow his Lagonda M45 to race meetings in the late 1960s. He is the only owner listed on the accompanying V5C document, which records the date of first registration as 25th February 1952. Restored some 20 years ago, 'MOB 777' was last used in approximately 2010 and was running well when garaged. At that time the prop shaft fibre coupling needed replacing and the dynamo was being rebuilt, but it is not known whether these works were completed. It should also be noted that the dashboard is out of the car at present. Careful re-commissioning will be required before it returns to the road.