Sunbeam 1000hp undergoes restoration for 100th anniversary return

Crack testing has been conducted on the Sunbeam 1000hp by a museum in Hampshire.

The National Motor Museum workshop team is continuing its restoration work of the Land Speed Record breaker.

The restoration is part of the Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign, which aims to raise £300,000 to complete the refurbishment of ‘The Slug’ in time for the 100th anniversary of its record-breaking run in 2027.

The team visually inspected the vehicle before a non-destructive solution with magnetic particles was sprayed over test areas to show any cracks under Ultra-Violet fluorescent light.

The process identified a crack in the engine subframe, which has since been ground out and rewelded by the engineers.

Ian Stanfield, senior engineer at National Motor Museum, said: "We have not encountered anything we were not expecting to come across and considering how complex this project is, we are very pleased with what we have found."

Visitors can see the exposed chassis in the National Motor Museum as part of a visit to Beaulieu, while work is being carried out.

To prepare for the latest testing, the workshop required the involvement of crews from Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, with more powerful pressure washing boatyard equipment being used to remove dirt, grease, and any harmful residues from the previous soda blasting process.

Specialist laser cleaning is also being used and four brake drums have been taken away by Laser Tec experts for cleaning.

Following these processes, the chassis will be coated with Trimite lacquer to ensure its preservation for the next 100 years.

This clear coat will also maintain the visibility of the original workers' markings revealed during the restoration.

To see footage of Sunbeam’s laser cleaning and crack testing, go to Beaulieu’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/dB0Lk5YKzBc.

The Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign began last year in partnership with Hampshire-based Brookspeed Automotive and has since reached a £50,000 fundraising milestone at the beginning of 2024.

The vehicle's two 22.5-litre engines, each producing 435bhp, have not run since before World War II.

National Motor Museum engineers aim to recapture the sounds, sights and smells of the machine and help to preserve it for future generations.

Donations to support the restoration can be made online at https://tinyurl.com/yp4ert8z.

Sponsors and corporate donors who would like to be associated with the campaign can get in touch by emailing michelle.kirwan@beaulieu.co.uk.