1912 Sunbeam 16/20hp 4-Litre Tourer

• High quality model from a premier make
• Supplied new to Viscount Enfield (later Sixth Earl of Strafford)
• Only three owners from new
• Restored to concours standard regardless of cost
• Present ownership since 2018
• Running beautifully

Founded by John Marston, a God-fearing Victorian industrialist, Sunbeam was first associated with beautifully made, though expensive, bicycles. The arrival from Hillman in 1909 of influential designer Louis Coatalen and the pursuit of an effective competitions programme enabled Sunbeam to establish a formidable reputation prior to WWI, its superbly made products ranking alongside the best from Alvis and Bentley thereafter.

First introduced in 1910, the 16/20hp was extensively revised for 1912, and although the (L-head) sidevalve engine was still a four-cylinder it was entirely different from the T-head original. Bore and stroke were 90x160mm for a capacity of 4,072cc, while mixture delivered by the Claudel-Hobson carburettor was sparked by Bosch magneto ignition. Power was transmitted via a cone clutch to a four-speed gearbox with right-hand change, and thence by an open prop shaft to the bevel-drive rear axle. The pressed steel chassis had a 10' 3.25" wheelbase and 4' 7" track, and the suspension comprised semi-elliptic springs at the front and three-quarter elliptics at the rear. Brakes were fitted to the rear wheels and transmission only.

A plaque on the dashboard shows that 'LF 4900' was supplied new to Viscount Enfield (later Sixth Earl of Strafford) by C S Sadgrove & Co of Southwest London in the summer of 1912. Possibly one of very few surviving roadworthy 16/20hp Sunbeams, the car was rescued from the late Earl's motor house in 1999 and purchased at auction for his private collection/museum by Malcolm Bishop. The Sunbeam had emerged from hibernation in completely original condition, albeit somewhat dilapidated, missing only its magneto and rear lights. Thus the basis was there for a painstaking restoration to the 'as new' condition and specification the car is in today.

The Sunbeam seems to have seen only limited use as the Stewart speedometer's odometer read only 39,097 miles when the car was rediscovered. That this figure may well be accurate is supported by a statement in a letter written in 1977 by the respected motoring historian Michael Sedgwick, who had inspected the car. He commented: "Lord Strafford never drove and was in fact completely disinterested in cars." The current odometer reading is 40,299 miles.

'LF 4900' has undergone one of the most painstaking restorations we have seen, taking several years. The body was removed from the chassis together with every other component, and the chassis was then bead-blasted and repainted. Each and every component was then rebuilt to 'as new' condition with exceptional attention to detail, resulting in the magnificent motor car we see today. Reportedly over £200,000 was spent during the restoration's initial stages plus the purchase price at auction. Since 2018 some tens of thousands of pounds have been spent by the current lady owner to make the car run beautifully. Some bills relating to the initial restoration are available and the car also comes with an extensive photographic record of the restoration including the engine and gearbox dis-assembled prior to being rebuilt.

The original Claudel-Hobson carburettor is retained and works well. The vendor states that the engine is smooth - starting instantly via the electric starter, and running very well. A new radiator enables it to run at a steady 70c and doesn't overheat. The original Sunbeam body is still fitted to the car, which rolls on recently restored wooden artillery wheels shod with beaded-edge tyres. Twin spares are mounted on the running board and a motoring trunk is fitted to the rear. At some early stage the lights were converted to electricity. The car is finished in mint and dark green with green deep-button upholstery, all in concours condition. All brass-work is in superb, mirror-polished order, while the engine bay is pristine. In short: this handsome sporting Sunbeam would be a serious Concours d'Élégance contender in any company.