Sunbeam powers back to life in historic moment for iconic car

Four turns of a giant handle was all it took to revive a beast that has lain dormant for more than half a century.

Designed and manufactured in Wolverhampton, the Sunbeam 350hp racing car broke the land speed record in 1924 under the stewardship of Sir Malcolm Campbell.

But for the last 52 years its engine has remained silent, the car consigned to the role of prime exhibit at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in Hampshire.

For decades motor enthusiasts from around the world have dreamed of hearing the engine's roar, and after a seven-year restoration project their wish has finally been granted.

Last week the speedster, which was manufactured in 1922 at the Sunbeam Motor Company's Moorfield Works in Upper Villiers Street, was towed from its workshop base and stationed in front of the museum entrance.

There an expectant crowd of more than 200 braved the cold and wet conditions to witness its rebirth, many of them wearing earplugs in an effort to drown out the sound of the giant engine's roar.

A previous attempt to start the car in 1993 had gone wrong when a blocked oil way in the engine caused it to seize and hurl a connecting rod through its casing.

But there was no such drama this time, as senior engineer Ian Stanfield gave the signal and two workshop staff manned the brass starting handle to bring the engine back to life amidst a cloud of smoke.

"It was fantastic to see the Sunbeam start up again," said Margaret Rowles, spokesperson for the Beaulieu National Motor Museum. "It really does seem to have caught people's imagination."

Mrs Rowles added the engine, which was designed by celebrated French engineer Louis Coatalen, had a sound akin to that of a Rolls Royce Merlin. "It made an incredibly impressive roar and I think a lot of the visitors were glad we handed out earplugs for them to use," she said.

"Our chief engineer said the Sunbeam makes such a unique sound he can tell it apart from any other engine in the world."

The engine ran for around 90 seconds before it was allowed to die down whilst applause rang out.

Amongst those present were 70 special guests, including volunteers who had worked on the car and representatives from firms who helped fund the project.