Classic Sunbeam dream for sale

The restored 1924 Sunbeam Tourer has run in several rallies, including the 2002 Annual Tour in Tasmania, where it completed over 3200km.

Chance to get hands on this lovingly restored 90-year-old vintage Tourer

A rare, restored 1924 Sunbeam 24/70HP Tourer that has been in storage for the past decade represents an exciting opportunity for vintage sporting car enthusiasts around the world when it goes under the hammer at Shannons Melbourne spring auction on September 29.

The imposing six-wheel-equipped Sunbeam is one of just 102 examples of the 4.5-litre six cylinder 24/70HP model built in the early 1920s and is believed to be one of four surviving examples worldwide.

It was discovered on a farm in Corowa, NSW, in the 1960s, but little was done over the next 30 years apart from gathering up missing parts and information on the model.
Eventually in the early 1990s, its late owner commenced a full, documented restoration that involved restoring the chassis, mechanicals and building the timberwork of a new Tourer body.

In 1998, the Sunbeam was sent to KJR Coachbuilding of Albury for completion, where a new aluminium body with steel wings was fabricated.

Since completion, the Sunbeam has participated in several rallies, including the 2002 Veteran Club of Australia Annual Tour in Tasmania, where it successfully completed over 3200 incident-free kilometres.

It was also driven regularly to various social and family gatherings in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW.

The 24/70 has been in storage since 2004, but was recently checked over by KJR Coachbuilding in preparation for the auction and is now ready to be enjoyed once again, with its six-cylinder engine and four-speed gearbox making it ideal and rewarding to drive.

Fitted with CAV front headlights and rear tail lights, battery switch, a full suite of gauges, full wet weather gear and a luggage trunk, it is perfectly equipped for weekend touring or vintage rallying and still presents well today.

Because of its condition and rarity, Shannons believe this Sunbeam 24/70 offers a great alternative to the more expensive contemporary Bentley 4.5-Litre or Vauxhall 30/98 Tourers and will appeal to the international enthusiast and collector market at its realistic guiding range of $90,000-$135,000.

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