1927 Sunbeam 30 HP Eight-Cylinder
- Engine
- 4.8L overhead-valve inline-eight, ~90 bhp
- Colour
- British Racing Green
A 1927 Sunbeam 30 HP, one of only two surviving examples of the model and among just four eight-cylinder Sunbeams known to remain from a total production of 65 cars. Originally bodied as a two-passenger tourer, it was subsequently converted to a hearse in Dromore and used commercially until 1961. After decades of storage, the chassis was restored in the late 1970s with bespoke coachwork, and the car later passed through Austrian and Viennese ownership before entering a German collection. It has participated in notable historic events including the Gran Premio Nuvolari re-enactment and the Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix, and took second in class at the 2006 Schwetzingen Oldtimer-Gala European Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £200,000 – £250,000
- 1933 →Acquisition unknownSamuel Porter, Newcastle, County Downfull documentation
Earliest documented owner; the car was registered to him as a commercial vehicle, retaining its original London-issued plate, on 5 March 1927 as its registration date.
- → 1961Acquisition unknownCunningham Brothers, Castlewellanpartial documentation
Operated the vehicle professionally as a hearse for several decades.
- 1961 → 1978Private saleMr Harknesspartial documentation
Removed the hearse coachwork and repurposed it as a chicken house; the bare chassis was then stored without further work.
- 1978 → 1997Private saleE.J.L. Mateerpartial documentation
Known as Eddie Mateer, an Ulster Speed Productions editor and producer; he undertook a restoration with plans to enter the first Peking to Paris event and commissioned the current non-original body to suit a more imposing touring style.
- 1997 →Private saleErnest Chalup, Austriapartial documentation
- 2004 →Acquisition unknownGerman collectionpartial documentation
Identity not disclosed; owner entered the car in several historic events and concours during this period.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryJacob family member, Dublinpartial documentation
A member of the Dublin-based Jacob biscuit-making family is believed to have been the first retail owner; the family had several Sunbeams among their vehicles.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMajor-General Hugh McCalmotpartial documentation
Reportedly received the car as a deposit on a racehorse, though this transfer apparently did not lead to his keeping it; a coachbuilder in Dromore subsequently fitted a hearse body.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownErik Skreimer, Viennapartial documentation
Carried out additional restoration work, bringing the car to a high standard of completion.
Competition
- 20062006 Schwetzingen Oldtimer-Gala European Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
The concours was held as part of the Schwetzingen Oldtimer-Gala gathering.
- 20072007 Gran Premio Nuvolari
Participated in the historic re-enactment event held in Italy.
- 20072007 Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix
- 20072007 Kaiserpreis-Rennen, Taunus MountainsNational team award winner
The festival was staged in the Taunus mountain region.
- 20132013 Flying Scotsman RallyFinisher
Completed the rally without reported mechanical issues.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1961Maintenance
Hearse body detached from the chassis and repurposed as a chicken house; chassis placed in storage without further mechanical work.
Carried out by Mr Harkness upon acquisition.
- 1978Restoration
Comprehensive restoration of the chassis undertaken after purchase, with new bespoke coachwork constructed in a style preferred by the owner rather than a period-correct tourer configuration. Intended for participation in the first Peking to Paris run.
Commissioned and overseen by E.J.L. 'Eddie' Mateer.
- —ModificationCoachbuilder in Dromore
Original tourer body removed and replaced with a hearse body installed by a coachbuilder in Dromore.
Work was undertaken after the car left the Jacob family; precise date unknown but prior to 1933 registration.
- —Restoration
Additional restoration work carried out to a very high standard, completing the refurbishment begun under the previous owner.
Undertaken by or under the direction of Erik Skreimer during his ownership in Vienna; precise dates not recorded.
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