Sunbeam
Sunbeam
Founded
1905
Founders
John Marston
Country
United Kingdom
Headquarters
Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom
Sunbeam
Founded
1905
Founders
John Marston
Country
United Kingdom
Headquarters
Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom
About this brand
Discover the history
The Sunbeam car brand, founded in the early 20th century by John Marston in the UK, initially grew from a bicycle manufacturing company. Marston’s Sunbeamland firm produced high-quality bicycles, and in 1901, he ventured into motor vehicles, marking the beginning of Sunbeam’s illustrious automotive history. Officially forming the Sunbeam Motor Car Company in 1905, the firm quickly gained recognition for producing luxurious and high-quality cars. Early models like the 12/16 and 14/20 set the standard for the brand, which was known for its innovative engineering and design excellence.
A turning point in Sunbeam’s history came with the arrival of Louis Coatalen, a French engineer who joined the company in 1909. Coatalen’s leadership transformed Sunbeam into a serious player in both road cars and motorsports. He introduced a focus on performance and innovation that propelled the company into the racing world. Under Coatalen’s guidance, Sunbeam entered prestigious races like the Brooklands and the Tourist Trophy, with the brand making its mark in motor racing history.
In 1923, Sunbeam achieved a significant milestone when Henry Seagrave, driving a Sunbeam car, won the French Grand Prix, making Sunbeam the first British car manufacturer to achieve such a feat. The brand’s focus on performance culminated in land speed record attempts, with cars like the Sunbeam 350HP and the Sunbeam 1000HP achieving remarkable speeds. In 1927, the Sunbeam 1000HP, driven by Seagrave, became the first car to exceed 200 mph, solidifying Sunbeam’s reputation as a pioneer in automotive engineering.
Despite its successes, Sunbeam struggled financially during the 1930s and was eventually absorbed into the Rootes Group. The brand continued to produce cars, including notable models like the Sunbeam Alpine and the Sunbeam Tiger, the latter of which was powered by a Ford V8 engine and became a symbol of British-American automotive collaboration.
Sunbeam’s legacy in motorsport, particularly in grand prix racing and land speed records, remains a significant part of its history. However, the brand’s prominence waned after the mid-20th century, and by the 1980s, Sunbeam had largely disappeared from the automotive landscape. Nonetheless, Sunbeam’s contributions to racing and car design have left an indelible mark on automotive history.
