1925 Sunbeam 20/60 Short Chassis Super Sport Drophead Coupe with Dickey by Brainsby’s

Understood to be one of just three surviving Sports variants of the Sunbeam 20/60 3.25 litre, this rare example was first registered on the 8^th May 1935 to Bertrand Charles Wotton of Croydon and it is believed that the body was originally from a Brighton coachbuilder, probably Harringtons. The motor car appears to have remained in the South East for some time; Henry Morton of SW15 was its custodian from 1936 and unfortunately after accidental damage, the Sunbeam was scrapped in 1940. At some point, perhaps in the early 1940s but possibly before 1936, the body was changed to the Brainsby’s coachwork that remains on the Sunbeam today, and we understand that this body was interestingly originally fitted to a 1921 Star that belonged to one of the company’s directors, C G Cathie. Henry Morton’s son John eventually rediscovered the 20/60 in Surrey in 1947 and it remained with him in Clapham until 1956.  Contained within the history file are a number of interesting documents from that ownership era, including a bill of sale from 1947 for the grand total of seventeen pounds and ten shillings. Henry wrote of the 20/60’s history in edition eight of the Sunbeam Register Journal in 1951 and a copy of this piece is included in the file. In the 1980s, the Sunbeam was the subject of a photographic restoration and we understand that it has been well maintained since and enjoyed on national and continental tours, notably ascending the Stelvio Pass in Italy.

The sporting motor car has most recently been a stable mate for a collection of vintage cars in Dorset belonging to a highly knowledgeable enthusiast who maintains his vehicles himself. We understand that the three litre six engine performs very well and there are no known mechanical issues. An electric fan is sensibly fitted for modern motoring. The coachwork is very smart and presents well, with no creeks or groans on the road, and the doors shut with a nice clunk. The interior is good, reminiscent of a gentlemen’s club. All instrumentation is understood to be working. The Dickey is nicely upholstered and usable.

Supplied is an album containing photographs from the 1980s when the car was restored, and various photocopies of: the 20/60 handbook, the 1922 model year instruction book, The History and Development of the Sunbeam Car 1899-1924, sales brochures, a spare parts list (original), and Star publications. Plus, the aforesaid documentation from the late 1940 and early 1950s, correspondence dating from 1960, Sunbeam Register ownership lists, invoices, further photographs, much correspondence, technical information and marque history, MOT test certificates, the original duplicate RF60 registration book from 1925, a valuation from 2010, a photocopy V5C from 2015 and the current V5C registration certificate.

Auction Date: 17 October 2024