LOT 350

Property of a deceased's estate 1953 Sunbeam 487cc S8 Registration no. HTP 891 Frame no. S8-6802 Engine no. S8-340

Sold for £4,025 inc. premium

Lot 350

Property of a deceased's estate, 1953 Sunbeam 487cc S8

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|21 April 2024, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

Property of a deceased's estate
1953 Sunbeam 487cc S8
Registration no. HTP 891
Frame no. S8-6802
Engine no. S8-340

A wartime design by Erling Poppe, the Sunbeam inline twin was introduced by BSA, owners of Sunbeam Cycles Limited, in 1947. A luxury tourer inspired by the pre-war BMW, it was of advanced specification with overhead-camshaft engine, shaft drive and plunger rear suspension. The clutch housing and four-speed gearbox bolted directly to the back of the engine, which was rubber mounted in the duplex loop frame, an innovation that required a flexible joint in the exhaust system ahead of the silencer. The first S7 version was equipped with balloon tyres, a feature not carried over to the deliberately more conventional, and also lighter and cheaper, S8 introduced in 1949. The front fork and 7" brake were now standard BSA components and there were numerous other changes made in the interests of rationalisation. Never as popular as BSA's more performance orientated models, the gentlemanly S7 and S8 remained in production until 1957.

Finished in an unusual colour for the model (perhaps RAF Blue?), this S8 is an older restoration offered for recommissioning (the engine turns over). It should be noted that the incorrect saddle is loose and that there is an unusual 12v generator to the front. The machine is offered with a V5C document, an original instruction manual.
Offered with key

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.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 21 April starting at 11am GMT.

Additional information

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