The David Plant Collection, 1934 Sunbeam 492cc Model 6 Lion

The first Sunbeam motorcycle - a 350cc side-valve single - left the Wolverhampton premises of John Marston, hitherto a manufacturer of finest quality enamelled goods, bicycles and - latterly - cars, in 1912. Like Marston's other products, his motorcycles soon established a reputation for sound construction and exemplary finish. Sunbeam's famous 'longstroke' sidevalve engine first appeared at the 1921 French Grand Prix, scoring a debut win in the hands of Alec Bennett, and in road-going form this remarkable engine remained in production right up until WW2. A version of it powered the new-for-1931 Model 6 Lion. Introduced in the summer of 1930, the revamped Lion replaced the old Model 6 and featured the innovations - for Sunbeam - of a chromium-plated fuel tank and Webb-pattern girder forks. A 598cc Model 7 Lion joined the range the following year and the two sidevalve workhorses continued in production - surviving Sunbeam's 1937 sale to AMC, relocation of production to Plumstead and the axing of the rest of the traditional models - until the outbreak of WW2.

A restored example, this Model 6 Lion has belonged to the current vendor since 1997. The machine comes with a history file containing four sheets of handwritten notes from the previous owner dated December 1996, covering topics such as starting the machine and its operation when fitted with a sidecar. Also on file is a copy of Sunbeam Motorcycles Maintenance Instructions for various models, including the 500cc Lion, together with a Sunbeam Motorcycle Manual covering the Lion models. A continuation logbook dated July 1952 records the date of first registration as 4th December 1934, and the engine and frame numbers correspond with those recorded in the logbook. This logbook shows the machine taxed between 1952 and 1955 in the ownership of Edgar Cox of Oxford, followed by Gerald Goodey, also of Oxford. The file also contains tax discs dated 1947 and 1948, four old MoT certificates, and a letter from the Marston and Sunbeam Register addressed to a Mr Benham, presumed to be a previous owner. When the vendor purchased the Sunbeam from a third party he discovered a letter inside the logbook from the previous owner outlining the 'foibles' and requesting that the new owner would look after the 'old girl' as she was quite old now.

The machine is offered with DVLA correspondence and a V5C document. The engine turns over.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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