In 1912, John Marston set out to make a 'Gentleman's Motor Cycle' and the Sunbeam was certainly that, being dubbed 'The Rolls-Royce of Motor Cycles' before WW1. However, the use of Sunbeams in competition was always encouraged by the works and, in the hands of riders such as George Dance Tommy de la Hay and Alec Bennett, the marque scored hundreds of convincing successes in speed events. In the mid twenties, the Dance-inspired and tuned lightweight OHV models were astonishingly successful and almost unbeatable in sprints and hillclimbs. When, at the behest of the Sunbeam Competition Department, much advanced gas-flow development was done by Harry Weslake on the beautifully-made pushrod engine, the resulting Model 90' overhead-valve models found the power and stamina to win race after race, with T.T. success with Charlie Dodson in 1928 and 1929, and a near miss in 1930, where gearbox design had fallen behind that of their rivals'. After that, amongst the debt crisis so prominent during the economic collapse of the '30s, Sunbeam continued to produce road machines of high quality and the Model 90 in road and race versions for the wealthy and fortunate few, though only as 'works-supported' rather than the former 'Works' machines when specified for competition use. Post-1930, Sunbeam's Racing Department continued to improve the Model 90, the most noticeable changes being the effective lubrication system, with the rocker gear enclosed, and a four-speed, foot-change gearbox replacing the 'crash' three-speed which had been such a disadvantage in 1930. Sunbeam's iconic Model 90 was replaced by the very similar, if less successful, Model 95 from the 1933 season. UC 3656 is a very rare example of that improved road-model '90' and is believed to have had some race history, though research remains to be done. Carefully restored, both cosmetically and mechanically, it is to original specification with foot-change 'box and tank-top panel. The machine represents an opportunity for a new owner to experience one of those authentic pre-war 'legends' in the metal, a small, low and light 500, which is always a delight to ride fast. Welcome at any gathering of motor cycles, the 'Model 90' is complete with a V5C and papers from the Marston Register, the DVLA and the Sunbeam M.C.C. as well as expired MOT certificates, all authenticating the date and model.
In 1912, John Marston set out to make a 'Gentleman's Motor Cycle' and the Sunbeam was certainly that, being dubbed 'The Rolls-Royce of Motor Cycles' before WW1. However, the use of Sunbeams in competition was always encouraged by the works and, in the hands of riders such as George Dance Tommy de la Hay and Alec Bennett, the marque scored hundreds of convincing successes in speed events. In the mid twenties, the Dance-inspired and tuned lightweight OHV models were astonishingly successful and almost unbeatable in sprints and hillclimbs. When, at the behest of the Sunbeam Competition Department, much advanced gas-flow development was done by Harry Weslake on the beautifully-made pushrod engine, the resulting Model 90' overhead-valve models found the power and stamina to win race after race, with T.T. success with Charlie Dodson in 1928 and 1929, and a near miss in 1930, where gearbox design had fallen behind that of their rivals'. After that, amongst the debt crisis so prominent during the economic collapse of the '30s, Sunbeam continued to produce road machines of high quality and the Model 90 in road and race versions for the wealthy and fortunate few, though only as 'works-supported' rather than the former 'Works' machines when specified for competition use. Post-1930, Sunbeam's Racing Department continued to improve the Model 90, the most noticeable changes being the effective lubrication system, with the rocker gear enclosed, and a four-speed, foot-change gearbox replacing the 'crash' three-speed which had been such a disadvantage in 1930. Sunbeam's iconic Model 90 was replaced by the very similar, if less successful, Model 95 from the 1933 season. UC 3656 is a very rare example of that improved road-model '90' and is believed to have had some race history, though research remains to be done. Carefully restored, both cosmetically and mechanically, it is to original specification with foot-change 'box and tank-top panel. The machine represents an opportunity for a new owner to experience one of those authentic pre-war 'legends' in the metal, a small, low and light 500, which is always a delight to ride fast. Welcome at any gathering of motor cycles, the 'Model 90' is complete with a V5C and papers from the Marston Register, the DVLA and the Sunbeam M.C.C. as well as expired MOT certificates, all authenticating the date and model.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
