Grand Prix Sunbeams 1921, 1922 TT

The 1922 Tourist Trophy-winning Sunbeam

The 1921 S.T.D. 'Works' Grand Prix chassis was built to the three-litre and minimum weight of 800 kilogrammes formula for that year's Indianapolis 500 and French Grand Prix de l’A.C.F. These team cars were modified by the Sunbeam Experimental department in Wolverhampton for the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy,[1] which was won by one of the cars.[2] A few months later, and with 1916 4.9-litre engines, two of the T.T. cars competed in the Coppa Florio, Sicily and gained second and fourth position.[3]

The cars also participated in local events including Brooklands and hillclimbs.[4][5] They are notable for obtaining the first significant international motor-racing success for Britain after the Great War and having "the best run of success by any Brooklands' car in such a period".[6] Of the five constructed, four survive: one as a single-seater, two as standard T.T. and one as a resurrected T.T.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Heal, 94 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Heal (1989), p. 95
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Heal, 134 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Heal (1989), pp. 129–134
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference SW, 27–28 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Boddy, William (May 1986). "The 4.9-litre Sunbeams". Motor Sport: 536.