Sunbeam Cars and Autos

The Sunbeam motor car company
This section provides access to the cars and autos manufactured under the name of the Sunbeam motor car company. An online guide for auto enthusiasts covering old and new cars and autos. If you like car talk then you will love this website! A free, online resource with facts and company information about the cars and autos made by the Sunbeam motor car company.

Founding of the Sunbeam motor car company
In which year was the company founded? The Sunbeam motor car company was founded in 1888. Who founded the company? The Sunbeam motor car company was founded by John Marston. What was the original location of the company? The company started Wolverhampton, England.

History of Sunbeam motor car company
History of Sunbeam motor car company began when it was founded in 1888 by John Marston (1836-1918) in Wolverhampton, England. John Marston was a keen cyclist and in 1877 set up The Sunbeamland Cycle Factory, producing bikes known as Sunbeams. Between 1899 and 1901 the company also produced a number of experimental cars, but none of these were offered for sale to the market. The first production car marketed as a Sunbeam was introduced in 1901.

History Timeline of Sunbeam.

1888: In 1888 John Marston set up the Sunbeamland Cycle Factory, producing bikes known as Sunbeams.

1899: In 1899 the original Sunbeam Company was founded, producing a number of experimental cars, but none sold commercially.

1901: In 1901 the first production car named as a Sunbeam was introduced and was a success.

1902: In 1902 a Sunbeam car entered the London to Oxford Anniversary run and received the diploma, providing the company much coverage in the press.

1905: In 1905 Sunbeam Motorcar Company Ltd was formed in 1905 to separate the Sunbeam motorcycle and bicycle maker from the new car manufacturer, the introduction of the 12hp. Sunbeam, powered by a 2.66litre, 4 cylinder engine, about 172 were built.

1907: In 1907 the 25/30hp. model released resulted in only 11 sales and Sunbeam sales were badly hit.

1909: In 1909 the company appointed Louis Hervι Coatalen as chief engineer, and thanks to him Sunbeam would go from strength to strength.

1910 In 1910 new models were the 16/20hp. and the 25/30hp; just fewer than 1,000 were built.

1911: In 1911 Sunbeam were building 650 cars year.

1913 In 1913 Sunbeam Coupe de L’Auto Replica  2 or 4 seater.

1914-1918 WWI the company built motorcycles, trucks and ambulances. John Marston passed away in 1918. Car production started producing two of its pre-war models, the 16hp. and the 24hp.

1920: In 1920 Sunbeam suffered from financial problems, as a result Sunbeam merged with Darracq and Talbot becoming"STD Motors". (Sunbeam, Talbot, Darracq).

1921: In 1921 Sunbeam introduced the 14hp. Model.

1922: In 1922 Kenelm Lee Guinness driving a Sunbeam broke the world land speed record at 133.75m.p.h. In an 18 litre, 350hp. ‘V12’ aero engined car at Brooklands.

1926: In 1926 Five new models appeared the 16.9hp, 20.9hp, 25hp, two top of the range models the 30hp and the 35hp were also introduced with a price tag to match.

1929: This was the year of the Wall Street crash which started the Great Depression and the car business was badly affected.

1930 - 1939: As the economy recovered from the stock market crash the company went into receivership and was purchased by the Roots Group. In 1934 the Sunbeam Dawn was launched it was the last car that Sunbeam made before it ceased to exist as an independent manufacturer and was totally absorbed into the Rootes empire.

1939 - 1945: WW11. Production and design of motor cars basically ceased as all manufacturing resources became involved with the war effort.

1948: In 1948 the Sunbeam Talbot 90 was built by the Rootes Group under their Sunbeam-Talbot brand, it was available as a four door saloon or two door drophead coupι.

1953: In 1953 the Sunbeam Alpine sports car was produced, the first vehicle to bear the Sunbeam name alone since the 1920 merger of Sunbeam, Talbot, and Darracq.

1955: In 1955 a Sunbeam Mk III was outright winner of the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally. The Sunbeam Rapier series l was the first of the "Audax" range of light cars produced by the Rootes Group.

1960: In 1960 MKII Alpine introduced.

1964: In 1964 the Sunbeam Tiger MK1 was produced, a muscle car version of the British Rootes Group's Sunbeam Alpine roadster with an American Ford V8 engine.

1970: In 1970 frequent strikes in the UK and decreasing competitiveness with successful Japanese carmakers takes its toll on Chrysler UK ( name given to the former Rootes Group after takeover by the USA-based Chrysler Corporation).

1977: In 1977 the Chrysler Sunbeam was launched small supermini 3-door hatchback which sold well.

1978: In 1978: In 1978 the remaining Chrysler Europe line was bought by Renault and the Sunbeam name has not been used since.

What models and types of cars and automobiles does the Sunbeam motor car company produce?
The models and types of cars and automobiles produced by the company include those detailed on the following list. Whether you enjoy comparing cars and autos, want to conduct some research before you buy a new car or a used car or finally an automobile enthusiast who loves fast, cool, new, old, vintage, classic, antique, sports, top, muscle or exotic cars we have the info you are searching for! Select the automobile you are interested in and click the link for access to an online overview of this Sunbeam vehicle with car guides, online facts, information, statistics, specs, specifications, design details and ratings of cars and autos.