1925 Sunbeam 3½hp Model 6 'Pendine Sprinter'

Registration no. CY 8406 Frame no. 08519 Engine no. 270/18302

• Resident in West Wales all its life
• Raced at Pendine Sands in period
• Stored for the last 10 years

The first Sunbeam motorcycle - a 350cc (2¾hp) side-valve single - left the Wolverhampton premises of John Marston, hitherto a manufacturer of finest quality enamelled goods, bicycles and - latterly - cars, in 1912. Designed by Harry Stevens (later to found AJS) the 2¾hp Sunbeam was equipped with a two-speed countershaft gearbox and fully enclosed all-chain drive, proving an instant success in an era when the norm was hub gears and belt-drive. Like Marston's other products, his motorcycles soon established a reputation for sound construction and exemplary finish. Their racetrack performances did nothing to discourage sales either. Howard Davies (later to found the H.R.D. marque) finished second in the 1914 Senior TT on his and Sunbeam's first visit to the Island, and Tommy De La Hay inherited victory in the 1920 Senior after George Dance, also Sunbeam-mounted, retired while leading. Sunbeam's second model was the John Greenwood-designed 3½hp of 1913. A sidevalve single like its predecessor, the 3½hp came with a three-speed hand-change gearbox and fully enclosed oil-bath chain cases, the latter first seen on the company's bicycles.

Overhead-valve engines were introduced in the mid-1920s but early successes were achieved with sidevalve-engined machines, most notably the 492cc (3½hp) 'Longstroke', which secured a debut win at the 1921 French Grand Prix ridden by Alec Bennett. In road-going form this remarkable engine remained in production right up until WW2. The Model 6 'Longstroke' had gained drum brakes by the mid-1920s, and in lightweight guise with low handlebars and minimal equipment was known as the 'Speedman's Machine'.

This un-restored Sunbeam 'Longstroke' was first registered to Handel Davies, a well-known and successful garage proprietor who began his career at the Brooklands Garage in Garnant, Carmarthenshire before moving to his own premises in Oxford Street, Swansea. Handel was probably the first owner of a Brough Superior in Wales. During the same period, he also owned this Sunbeam, and both bikes were raced at the world famous Pendine Sands with great success. The current vendor has known the Sunbeam and its two previous keepers since the 1970s. The machine has resided in West Wales all of its life and is well known in local motorcycling circles. Stored for the last 10 years, this historic Welsh racer will require re-commissioning at the very least and probably more extensive restoration before further use. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.