Sunbeam Grand Prix 1923

Sunbeam Grand Prix 1923

Mockingly called 'The Green FIATs' these cars strongly resembled FIAT's 804 models from the previous Grand Prix season, probably because, at the end of 1922, Sunbeam head-hunted FIAT designers Vicenzo Bertarione and Walter Becchia in order to create them. The power of money in Grand Prix racing has a long history.

Although FIAT's new 805 models still outclassed the Sunbeams (partly due to the first use of super-charged engines in Grand Prix racing) mechanical problems during the 1923 French Grand Prix at Tours progressively removed every FIAT entry from the race leaving the Sunbeams to take 3 of the first 4 places and making Henry Segrave (in car no.12) the first British driver to win a Grand Prix in a British car - Sunbeam remained Britain's only Grand Prix winning team until 1957.

Estimates put the car's top speed at a low 108 mph (174 kmh) but reports from Tours say that Segrave's car was clocked at just over 120 mph (196 kmh) in some sections of the course (perhaps with the help of a slope and a following wind?).

Engine: 6 cylinder 1989cc (Bore: 67mm, Stroke: 94mm)
Tyres: Michelin 765 x 105mm
Brakes: servo assisted cable to 356mm drum brakes
Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs, front and rear