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VINTAGE: Sunbeam’s New Engine For 1922 Season
Written by: Wouter Melissen
UltimateCarPage.com   http://www.ultimatecarpage.com
06/25/2009
Goodwood (GB)
 
Sunbeam Talbot Darracq's chief engineer Louis Coatalen figured the easiest route to Grand Prix racing glory was to employ the most successful designer of the time.

Sunbeam hired as acclaimed engine designer to put them on the Grand Prix podium. (Photo: Wouter Melissen) » More Photos
This was Swiss engineer Ernest Henry, who had previously been responsible for the engines in the fantastic Peugeot and Ballot racing cars.

He was hired in time to develop a Sunbeam Grand Prix car from scratch for the 1922 season. The reason for the clean sheet was a regulation change that saw the maximum engine displacement drop from three to just two liters for the next three seasons.

An aerodynamic body design was created for the 1922 racing season, seen here on the track at Goodwood. (Photo: Wouter Melissen) » More Photos
Henry drew up a long-stroke four-cylinder engine with a fixed block and head. Just like on his earlier designs, the head featured two camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Each cylinder was also equipped with twin spark plugs to optimize combustion. Breathing through two Solex carburetors, Henry's new four cylinder engine produced a commendable 88 bhp.

Mated to a three-speed gearbox, it was mounted in a relatively straightforward ladder frame with underslung solid axles on both ends. The drum brakes used Hispano Suiza patented servo assistance that was driven from the gearbox.

While Henry did most of the design work at the old Darracq works in Suresnes, France, the actual assembly of the new Grand Prix cars was done in the Wolverhampton, England-based Sunbeam factory. A total of four cars were
completed, draped in very narrow but elegant Grand Prix bodies. One of the more striking features was the spare wheel that was mounted longitudinally in the long tail.

Ahead of the all-important French Grand Prix in Strasbourg, the first completed example was tested at Brooklands and in the Tourist Trophy race on the Isle of Man.

Assigned to drive the first car on the Isle of Man was Kenelm Lee Guinness. He proved to be as fast as the earlier 3-liter, eight-cylinder Sunbeams that were actually entered in the race. One of those TT Sunbeams won the race in the hands of Jean Chassagne and Robert Laly.


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