Silver Bullet (car)
| Industry | Automotive, Aero engines |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Wolverhampton , United Kingdom |
| Products | Land speed record cars, aero engines |
The Sunbeam Silver Bullet, created by the Sunbeam of Wolverhampton, was a land speed record contender designed in 1929 specifically for Kaye Don.
Equipped with a pair of supercharged 24-litre engines, this vehicle represented a remarkable feat of engineering. Despite its capabilities, it did not succeed in setting new records and marked Sunbeam’s final effort to claim the land speed title.
Following the loss of the record previously held by the 1927 Sunbeam 1000HP, Sunbeam endeavored to develop a machine powerful enough to regain it. Since only aero engines could deliver the necessary output, the project also functioned as a platform for advancing aero-engine technology.
Sunbeam 2,000 hp engine
Sunbeam engineered a novel water-cooled V12 aero engine featuring a 50° bank angle, selected to minimize engine width despite compromising some balance compared to a 60° configuration. The engine’s bore and stroke measured , resulting in a total displacement of 24.02 litres. This oversquare layout allowed for higher revolutions and enhanced power output.
The superchargers were large centrifugal blowers driven at 17,000 rpm, aligning with contemporary trends in aero-engine design exemplified by the Napier Lion and Rolls-Royce R engines—both pioneering applications for Sunbeam.
To address cooling without increasing aerodynamic drag, the Silver Bullet utilized an innovative ice-based cooling system rather than a conventional radiator. Prior to each run, an ice tank containing around 280 kilograms of ice was loaded, supplemented by a one-gallon mixing tank positioned at the front. This method suited brief land speed attempts and was similarly employed by contemporaries such as the Golden Arrow and later the JCB Dieselmax.
Photographs & Video
Although photographs of the Silver Bullet are uncommon, some exist within the Brooklands photo archive. These images depict the car outside Delaney & Sons garage, a prominent racing venue of that period. Certain photos also reveal the adjustable rear aerofoil designed to produce downforce.
Rare Movietone News footage available on YouTube shows the vehicle outside Sunbeam’s Wolverhampton factory with company employees present. In this footage, Kaye Don arrives behind the wheel of the Sunbeam V12 racing and land speed record car known as "Sunbeam Tiger." He is welcomed by Louis Coatalen, Sunbeam’s Managing Director and Chief Engineer, who discusses aspects of the car’s development. Don also shares his intentions for attempting the Land Speed Record at Daytona Beach, Florida.
Unsuccessful record attempts
The rivalry for the land speed record between Segrave’s Golden Arrow and Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird was fierce. This urgency led to rapid assembly of the Silver Bullet with limited opportunity for extensive engine testing. Only two race-spec engines were produced, restricting development possibilities. The Silver Bullet made its public debut on 21 February 1930.
Kaye Don piloted the first record attempt at Daytona Beach, Florida. Arriving on March 8th with Louis Coatalen joining on March 16th, their efforts were impeded by mechanical reliability problems and handling difficulties. The maximum speed achieved fell short of Sunbeam’s prior record.
Further refinement took place back in Britain at Pendine Sands. However, Sunbeam’s aircraft engine division never fully recovered financially from the post-Great War economic slump. Combined with the effects of the 1930s Depression, Sunbeam lacked sufficient funds to sustain such a competitive program. Unlike some British automotive firms that prospered during this time, Sunbeam entered receivership in 1935.
Eventually, the Silver Bullet was purchased by Jack Field, a hotelier and garage proprietor from Southport. He conducted tests on Southport beach—the location where Segrave had previously triumphed with the Sunbeam Tiger. However, persistent unresolved issues led to the car being scrapped in due course.
Honoring the 'Silver Bullet' through Public Art
During the 1996 transformation of the old Star cars works site in St. John's, Wolverhampton, into a retail complex, themed public artworks were installed to commemorate Sunbeam’s achievements in land speed records. A bronze bas-relief panel pays tribute to both the Silver Bullet vehicle and its driver, Kaye Don. Crafted by artist Steve Field alongside sculptor John McKenna A.R.B.S, these pieces incorporate references to other Sunbeam speed record attempts and highlight Wolverhampton’s automotive industrial legacy, all rendered in a 1930s Art Deco aesthetic.