1930 Sunbeam 25hp Enclosed Limousine

The car was first registered on the 29th April 1930.

Old tax discs with the car suggest that it was registered as a ‘Hackney’ carriage from at least 1942 up until 1963, after which it is recorded as being in ‘Private’ hands.

The car was purchased by a firm of classic and vintage car hire specialists (wedding and events, etc) in 1999.

Requiring a complete rebuild, it was dismantled at that time and then, due to pressure of work, was left in pieces for eight years.

When the rebuild recommenced, it was completed within a year.

The restoration included stripping and rebuilding the engine, gearbox and mechanicals; refurbishing all brightwork (over 100 individual components were chrome plated); retrimming the interior; and a full repaint in the colours you see today - ivory with maroon wings and running boards, sitting on matching ivory wire wheels.

The car starts, runs, goes and stops with commendable competence for a vehicle that is now 95 years old.

It presents very handsomely from every angle - inside and outside - and just needs a few largely cosmetic issues addressing to get it back into the thoroughly first-class condition it was in at the completion of its restoration in 2012.

The bodywork is in generally good condition, and there are no dinks, dents, biffs or bashes of consequence in evidence anywhere that we can see.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are in accordance with what you’d hope and expect to find on a hand-built 1930 Sunbeam.

The paintwork has held up fairly well and there’s plenty of shine and lustre to it.

That said, there are numerous splits to the paint in places and no shortage of chips, flakes and cracks around the bonnet, windscreen and elsewhere.  

The bumpers have a little flaking to the chrome and some nascent rust in places, as do the wing mirrors and the radiator mascot surround.

The wheels are decent, with just a little surface rust around the spokes. The tyres on the side-mounted spares are cracked, crazed and decidedly long in the tooth.

The car’s lights, lenses, badging and exterior fixtures and fittings are all pretty reasonable but there is the odd spot of foxing and pitting to the brightwork here and there.

The wicker-work basket at the rear is looking rather time-worn and dilapidated; the bumper beneath it has some flaking to it; and the bodywork above it has some scuffs, scratches and chips to the paint, with some bubbling starting to make itself known around the curved maroon coach-line.

There is some chipped paint around the rear windows on the offside and at the rear edge of the rear door.

We also noticed some scratches on the windows.
 

The interior of this magnificent vehicle is utterly charming and was evidently restored to a very high standard in 2012.

The rear cabin features two occasional, pop-up seats to complement the three-seater bench at the rear.

The rear and front cabins are separated by a curved glass division.

The cream leather upholstery is in very fine order throughout, as are the matching door cards.

The polished wood and veneers in the rear are in generally decent fettle, although there is some blistering under the lacquer on the door cappings.

The wood in the front cabin, particularly on the dashboard, has fared rather less well and there are cracks, scratches and scuffs in numerous places.

The dark red carpets are good throughout.

The roof light is cracked and broken and, in the rear, the periscope-like roof window is reluctant to stay in position when opened.

There are a few scratches to the inside of the glass in places and the steering wheel is currently sporting an ad hoc repair job courtesy of some electrical tape.

The vendor tells us that various dashboard dials and gauges have stopped working.

The splendid engine and engine bay are joys to behold and everything looks very much of its time, with all parts and components in what would appear to be the right and proper places.

The car’s undersides look solid, robust and possessed of plenty of structural integrity.

The car comes with a continuation ‘buff’ logbook, all manner of superannuated tax discs, various manuals, handbooks, guides and catalogues, and a photographic record of its rebuild and restoration.

It also comes with a letter of authenticity from the Sunbeam Register.
 

This very rare Sunbeam 25hp Enclosed Limousine is as practical, mechanically sound and useable as it is charming and delightful.

Coming from long-term family/business ownership, it was evidently restored to an exceptionally high standard in 2012 and has led the sedate and pampered life of a wedding and events car ever since.

Today, it is just a few jobs away from being back to its immediate, post-restoration condition – and we can’t imagine that any of those jobs will prove onerous or overly costly. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £15,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.