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Today we will go thru the annals of autmotive history and we will discuss a really cool story, this is the story of the first car to reach 200MPH, and the crazy things the team did to achieve this feat. The car, the Sunbeam 1000 HP, a vehicle that not only pushed the boundaries of speed but also boasts a fascinating, ohh and almost a 100 years later the team tasked with restoring the car discovered something weird within the engine. So lets go back in time and discuss this iconic piece of history
The Sunbeam 1000 HP, built in 1927, was the brainchild of Sunbeam's chief engineer, Louis Coatalen. Driven by the desire to break speed records, Coatalen embarked on a daring journey to create an awe-inspiring machine. The car featured a massive 22.5-liter V12 engine, supercharged to churn out an astonishing 1,000 horsepower, hence its name - the Sunbeam 1000 HP.
Under the guidance of Sir Malcolm Campbell, the Sunbeam 1000 HP first tasted victory in 1924 when it set a new land speed record of 146.16 mph at Pendine Sands in Wales. However, this remarkable feat was just the beginning of what was to become one of the most iconic chapters in automotive history.
In September 1927, Malcolm Campbell and the Sunbeam 1000 HP ventured to the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. With its vast, flat expanse and perfect conditions for speed trials, Bonneville became the battleground for speed record attempts. Then On September 4, 1927, Campbell achieved the impossible and became the first person to drive an automobile at a speed exceeding 200 mph. The car clocked an impressive 203.79 mph, etching its name in the history books.
Now The Sunbeam 1000HP, also known as "The Slug," which holds the distinction of being the first car to ever exceed 200 mph (322 km/h), has recently surprised the world. You see During the restoration efforts to bring "The Slug" back to its former glory, mechanics made a surprising and intriguing discovery - a period correct screwdriver that had accidentally fallen into the oil tank nearly a century ago.
The restoration project, led by the National Motor Museum, aimed to revive this historic automobile in time for the 100th anniversary of its record-breaking run in 2027. As the workshop team began removing its colossal V12 aero engines, workings, and body panels, they stumbled upon the vintage screwdriver, hidden away for decades.
The wooden-handled tool had likely fallen into the oil tank through the filler neck while a mechanic was checking the oil levels. And im guessing he didn’t say anything. Just whoops. Yeah no the oil seems fine and on their way they went. In other words this car broke a world record with a screw driver in the engine. Over time, the screwdriver became encased in solidified oil, acting as a silent witness to the car's illustrious past.
The National Motor Museum Senior Engineer, Ian Stanfield, described the find as the "first 200mph screwdriver." The mechanics had to carefully clean out the tank, using hot water and detergent, before the vintage screwdriver finally emerged from its long slumber.
Luckily the vehicle was driven for only 50 miles to break the world record, ensuring the engines didn't run for an extended period. And no damage was done.
Apart from the screwdriver, the restoration team also uncovered an adjustable spanner and a shilling with a 1921 stamp, both trapped in solidified oil on various parts of the chassis. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the tools and equipment used by the mechanics of that era. And lets be honest we have all lost a tool in the vast void of an engine bay. Sometimes a 10 socket just disappears.
Anyways The Sunbeam 1000HP Restoration Campaign aims to raise £300,000 to meticulously restore "The Slug" and showcase it at motoring events and museums worldwide. The bespoke tools created by the National Motor Museum's specialist workshop team have been essential in dismantling the iconic record-breaker.
This historic find adds to the incredible history of the Sunbeam 1000HP, which remains a time capsule of automotive achievements from a bygone era. The vehicle's restoration not only preserves its groundbreaking legacy but also provides future generations with the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this remarkable machine that once held the title of the world's fastest car.
#Worldrecord #V12 #speedrecord
