Sunbeam Motor Car Company was a British automobile manufacturer that was active from 1905 to 1967 under different ownerships. The company achieved its peak in the 1920s producing pre-war automobiles such as the 1920–24 Sunbeam 16 hp and Sunbeam 3-litre. Sunbeam also was also known for its involvement in the achievement of world speed land records that led to the development of the Sunbeam 350HP and Sunbeam 1000 hp both of which are powered by aero-engines developed by the company.
History
The Sunbeam car brand was founded in 1895 by John Marston. The first car, the Sunbeam-Mabley, was built in 1899. The Sunbeam Motor Car Company was formed in 1905 and was located in Wolverhampton, England.
The company initially produced a range of two and four-cylinder cars, and later began to produce six-cylinder models. The Sunbeam brand was acquired by Rootes Group in 1935, and continued to produce cars until 1976.
The company was most famous for its racing cars, which won the first ever Grand Prix in 1906 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1924. Sunbeam also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1912 and 1922. The Sunbeam Alpine, released in 1953, was the first sports car produced by the company.
