LOT 537

1928 Sunbeam 493cc Dirt-Track Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. none visible Engine no. D.T.113.EX

Sold for £19,550 inc. premium

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Lot 537

1928 Sunbeam 493cc Dirt-Track Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered Frame no. none visible Engine no. D.T.113.EX

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|16 October 2022, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1928 Sunbeam 493cc Dirt-Track Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. none visible
Engine no. D.T.113.EX

The introduction of dirt-track, or speedway, racing into Britain in the late 1920s prompted many manufacturers to jump on the bandwagon with purpose-built machines. Douglas and Rudge dominated speedway's formative years in the UK, before the arrival of the 'Speedway JAP' engine in 1930 ushered in a period of dominance that would last until the 1960s.

Sunbeam's dirt-track racer was listed and illustrated in the 1930 catalogue only and was not considered a success. It is also pictured on page 118 of The Sunbeam Motorcycle by Robert Cordon Champ with text on page 125, and in both versions of The Illustrated History of Sunbeam Bicycles and Motorcycles by the same author. It may well be that only two or three were made since when tested the model did not come up to expectations. Sunbeam experimental or pre-production frames were stamped 'EX', like the engines, often without a number and usually on the steering head; however, so far it has not proved possible to locate such a stamping on this machine.

The Sunbeam was imported from Austria some years ago and subsequently purchased by the current vendor, who then carried out a full restoration. There are no documents with this Lot.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Additional information

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