SUNBEAM

SUNBEAM 

The company, John Marston (John Marston) of Vulverhemptona in the 90s. XIX century engaged in manufacturing bicycles in 1899, has built prototypes of cars Sunbeam. In 1901 started selling models Sunbeam-Mabley ("Sunbeam-Mebli") with front drive, and two lateral support and rear driven wheels.


Best days for the company began in 1909 with the advent of the firm Hillman ("Hillman") constructor Koatalena Louis (Louis Coatalen), which soon created the first racing cars Sunbeam. In 1920 the company lost its independence and joined the Anglo-French group of Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq (STD - "Sunbeam-Talbot-Darrak"). This association contributed to the rapid progress of Sunbeam.

Sunbeam cars dominated the Grand Prix of France in 1923 K. It shows the machine Guinness (C. Guinness)

Led by Henry Seagraves (Henry Segrave) Sunbeam car won the Grand Prix of France in 1923 and the Grand Prix of Spain in 1924, this led to an excessive growth ambitions Koatalena and require large expenditures to establish the following models. As a result, failed to repay the loan in 10 years. STD suffered a financial collapse. In 20-ies. Sunbeam Company produced a series of remarkable tourist cars with 6 - and 8-cylinder engines. Among them was the model of the "3-Litre" ("3 liter"), which embodied all the skill department sports car company Sunbeam.

Racing Sunbeam Coupe de I'Auto ("Sunbeam Coupe de l'Oto") in 1912 with a 85-horsepower engine. Maximum speed - 135 km / h

In the early 30's. severe downturn in the British economy has led to the fact that even the cheapest model of Sunbeam Dawn ("Dawn Sunbeam") brought some losses. In 1935 the company purchased Sunbeam and Talbot Group Rootes ("Rute"). Soon after she discontinued the previous models, and in 1938 appeared the first series of cars Sunbeam-Talbot, created by designers Rootes. These were the options machines Hillman and Humber ("Humber") with a more fashionable bodies, although in the early 50s. They appear different from the sedan model, "90" and sports cars Alpine ("Alpine"). Helped raise the profile and the racing program.

Despite the high self-mass model Alpine mid 50s. successfully performed at the rally

In 1954 the name of the company brand disappeared Talbot, then greatly expanded range of Sunbeam. In 50-60s. in its program appeared sports sedans, coupe Rapier ("Reypier") based on the Hillman Minx models, and small 2-seater sports cars, Alpine, which used a shortened chassis Minx. During this period, Sunbeam again achieved success in the sport. Her car performed well in the rally and endurance racing. Then came a sports car Tiger ("Tiger") with a V8 engine of the American concern Ford ("Ford") and body Alpine.

Sunbeam Alpine 60s. - A direct competitor "MGB" (Em-Gee-Bee).

In the late 60s. Roots Concern Group acquired Chrysler ("Chrysler"), marketed under the brand upmarket Sunbeam number of family cars Hillman-Chrysler. There was a sports coupe and rear-Sunbeam Stiletto ("Sunbeam Stiletto") based on the model Hillman Imp ("Hillman Imp"). And by the end of the period of the Sunbeam brand has become a model of the car - it was a 3-door hatchback based on the Hillman-Chrysler Avenger ("Hillman-Chrysler Eyvendzher").

Sunbeam name survived only as a model name, not the brand.

In the late 70s. the company came under the control of the French Peugeot ("Peugeot"), which resurrected the brand Talbot. A Sunbeam once againsucceeded in sport: a model of Talbot Sunbeam-Lotus won the 1981 WorldRally Championship standings in the marks. That same year, were releasedlast cars Sunbeam-Talbot, although purebred machine Sunbeam Rapiermodels were phased out as early as 1976.