Sunbeam Tiger (1925)
Encyclopedia
The Sunbeam Tiger was a racing car of the 1920s, built by Sunbeam of Wolverhampton
. It was the last car to be competitive both as a land speed record holder, and as a circuit-racing car.
The car's novelty lay with its engine. Sunbeam's 1925 Grand Prix
engine had been a successful 2 litre straight-6 twin-overhead-cam. This car was to use a pair of the same block and head arrangements, mated to a single 75° vee crankcase to produce a 3,976 cc V12. Supercharging brought the power up to 306 hp.
was so keen to test the new car and engine that he took it to Brooklands
in September 1925, still unpainted. A half-mile speed of 145 mi/h was recorded. Minor works, including the bright red paint still notable today, were done over the winter.
Spring 1926 saw Segrave on the wide, flat beach at Southport
. On 16 March 1926, with little fuss and few spectators, he and the bright-red car now named 'Ladybird' set a new land speed record at 152.33 mi/h. This was also the smallest-engined car ever to hold the Land Speed Record
.
At the time of the land speed record attempt, the car was fitted with a narrow inlet cowling over the radiator, similar to that of the Sunbeam 350HP. For racing, a flat open radiator grille was used. The narrow cowling has re-appeared in preservation.
It survives today, fitted with a Napier Lion engine and racing in British Vintage events as the "Sunbeam-Napier".
, restored to the streamlined radiator cowling fitted for record-breaking. As of 2006, the engine is reportedly being rebuilt after suffering foreign object damage
whilst vintage racing, hence the static display in LSR trim.
In 1990, the now 65 year old Tiger re-created its record attempt, and succeeded in beating it at 159 mi/h.
, the Sunbeam Tiger
. Later it appeared on the more mundane Hillman Avenger Tiger, which resembled a tiger by being orange with black stripes, if little else.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
. It was the last car to be competitive both as a land speed record holder, and as a circuit-racing car.
Design and engine
The chassis and bodywork of the Sunbeam were conventional for racing cars of their time.The car's novelty lay with its engine. Sunbeam's 1925 Grand Prix
1925 Grand Prix season
The 1925 Grand Prix season was the first AIACR World Manufacturers' Championship season. The championship was won by Alfa Romeo, utilising the P2 model.-World Championship Grands Prix:-Other Grands Prix:-Championship Final Standings:...
engine had been a successful 2 litre straight-6 twin-overhead-cam. This car was to use a pair of the same block and head arrangements, mated to a single 75° vee crankcase to produce a 3,976 cc V12. Supercharging brought the power up to 306 hp.
Land Speed Records
Henry SegraveHenry Segrave
-External links:* * * * *...
was so keen to test the new car and engine that he took it to Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
in September 1925, still unpainted. A half-mile speed of 145 mi/h was recorded. Minor works, including the bright red paint still notable today, were done over the winter.
Spring 1926 saw Segrave on the wide, flat beach at Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
. On 16 March 1926, with little fuss and few spectators, he and the bright-red car now named 'Ladybird' set a new land speed record at 152.33 mi/h. This was also the smallest-engined car ever to hold the Land Speed Record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
.
Racing
After the land speed record, the car returned to Grand Prix racing at Brooklands, Boulogne and San Sebastian.At the time of the land speed record attempt, the car was fitted with a narrow inlet cowling over the radiator, similar to that of the Sunbeam 350HP. For racing, a flat open radiator grille was used. The narrow cowling has re-appeared in preservation.
Tigress
One sister car to Tiger was built and named Tigress.It survives today, fitted with a Napier Lion engine and racing in British Vintage events as the "Sunbeam-Napier".
Today
The Sunbeam Tiger is preserved today in UtahUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, restored to the streamlined radiator cowling fitted for record-breaking. As of 2006, the engine is reportedly being rebuilt after suffering foreign object damage
Foreign object damage
Foreign Object Debris is a substance, debris or article alien to a vehicle or system which would potentially cause damage.Foreign Object Damage is any damage attributed to a foreign object that can be expressed in physical or economic terms that may or may not degrade the product's required...
whilst vintage racing, hence the static display in LSR trim.
In 1990, the now 65 year old Tiger re-created its record attempt, and succeeded in beating it at 159 mi/h.
The 'Tiger' name
In 1964 and 1972 the "Tiger" name was revived within the marque, first for a V8 version of the Sunbeam AlpineSunbeam Alpine
The Sunbeam Alpine is a sporty two-seat open car from Rootes Group's Sunbeam car marque. The original was launched in 1953 as the first vehicle from Sunbeam-Talbot to bear the Sunbeam name alone since the 1935 takeover of Sunbeam and Talbot by the Rootes Group....
, the Sunbeam Tiger
Sunbeam Tiger
The Sunbeam Tiger was a muscle car version of the British Rootes Group's Sunbeam Alpine roadster.-Development:The West Coast Sales Manager of Rootes American Motors Inc., Ian Garrad, realized that the Alpine's image was that of a touring car rather than a sports car, and he set about changing its...
. Later it appeared on the more mundane Hillman Avenger Tiger, which resembled a tiger by being orange with black stripes, if little else.
Photographs
- Tiger on static display, with LSR nose
- Tiger on the track recently, Mark Ballard
- Tiger in the workshop, with bonnet removed, Mark Ballard
