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A milestone on wheels
It’s 1927, Daytona Beach, Florida. The world is caught up in the pursuit of speed records. The automotive industry is growing fast, and Sunbeam wants to leave its mark.
That’s where the Sunbeam 1000HP comes in — not just a car, but an ambitious experiment in power and engineering.
An ambitious project
The idea was bold:
What if they combined two Napier Lion aircraft enginesi nto one car? The result was a machine producing more than 1,000 horsepower, built for one purpose: to break the 200 miles per hour barrier.
The body, made from aluminum, was shaped for speed and stability. Its long, narrow form helped it stay balanced on Daytona’s unpredictable sandy surface.
The record-breaking day
On March 29, 1927, British driver Sir Henry Segrave took the wheel of the Sunbeam 1000HP. With the world watching and holding its breath, he reached an average speed of 203.79 miles per hour (327 km/h), the first time a car had ever crossed 200 mph.
It was a historic moment for British engineering and a milestone in motorsport history.
Technical Details
- Engines: 2 x Napier Lion W12 aircraft engines
- Power output: Over 1,000 horsepower
- Weight: Approximately 4 tons
- Bodywork: Aluminum, designed for aerodynamic efficiency
- Transmission: Chain drive, modified to handle the immense power
- Tires: Specially made by Dunlop to withstand high speeds on sand
The legacy of the Sunbeam 1000HP
Although built for one record-breaking run, its impact lasted far beyond that day. It proved that with vision and courage, engineering could push boundaries previously thought unreachable.
Today, the Sunbeam 1000HP is more than a museum exhibit. It’s a reminder of a time when speed records were uncharted territory and engineers were explorers.
Where can you see it today?
The Sunbeam 1000HP is on display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, United Kingdom. Visitors from around the world come to see this extraordinary piece of automotive history.
