Sunbeam 2,000 hp
| Industry | Automotive, Aircraft engines |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| Headquarters | Wolverhampton , United Kingdom |
The Sunbeam Silver Bullet was a unique land speed record vehicle constructed by the Sunbeam of Wolverhampton in 1929, specifically for the driver Kaye Don. Equipped with two supercharged V12 engines each displacing 24 litres, the project was highly ambitious but ultimately did not achieve new speed records, marking Sunbeam’s final venture in pursuing the land speed crown.
Following their 1927 achievement with the Sunbeam 1000HP reaching 200 mph, the land speed record had been overtaken by 1929. Sunbeam’s goal was to regain this title with a car engineered to surpass , utilizing powerful aircraft engines that also functioned as a platform for advancing future engine technology.
Sunbeam 2,000 hp engine
Sunbeam engineered a novel water-cooled V12 aero engine featuring a 50° bank angle to maintain a slim profile. The engine's bore measured , with a stroke of , resulting in a total displacement of 24.02 litres. This oversquare design allowed for increased revolutions per minute and enhanced power output.
Both engines were fitted with large centrifugal superchargers driven at 17,000 rpm, reflecting contemporary aero-engine practices seen in designs such as the Napier Lion and Rolls-Royce R-type engines, marking Sunbeam's inaugural use of such technology.
To reduce aerodynamic drag, the Silver Bullet employed an innovative cooling system based on ice rather than traditional radiators. It carried an ice tank holding roughly 280 kilograms of ice before each run, complemented by a one-gallon mixing tank located at the front—an approach also utilized by other record-breaking vehicles like the Golden Arrow.
Photographs & Video
Images of the vehicle are scarce but can be found in the Brooklands photographic archive, depicting it outside Delaney & Sons garage, a prominent racing venue of that period. Some photos emphasize the adjustable rear aerodynamic wing designed to produce downforce.
Rare Movietone News clips available on YouTube show the car stationed outside Sunbeam’s Wolverhampton factory with company employees present. In these clips, Kaye Don arrives driving the Sunbeam V12 racing and land speed record car known as "Sunbeam Tiger" and is welcomed by Louis Coatalen, Sunbeam’s Managing Director and Chief Engineer, who discusses the development process. Don also outlines intentions for attempting a 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 latest Blue Bird intensified competition, leading to rapid construction of the Silver Bullet with limited static engine testing. Only two race-spec engines were produced, restricting development potential. The Silver Bullet was first unveiled publicly on 21 February 1930.
The initial record attempt occurred at Daytona Beach, Florida, with Kaye Don behind the wheel. The team arrived on 8 March, and Louis Coatalen joined them on the 16th. They encountered persistent engine reliability problems alongside handling challenges. The maximum speed achieved was , well below Sunbeam’s own previous record set three years earlier.
Further refinements were attempted back in the UK at Pendine Sands, but financial difficulties stemming from post-World War I downturns affecting Sunbeam’s aircraft engine business and the economic strain of the 1930s Depression hindered progress. Unlike several other British manufacturers that weathered these challenges more successfully, Sunbeam entered receivership in 1935.
Eventually, the Silver Bullet was sold to Jack Field, a hotelier and garage proprietor from Southport, who conducted tests on Southport beach—the same location where Segrave had earlier achieved success with the Sunbeam Tiger. However, ongoing mechanical issues led to the vehicle being scrapped in due course.
Commemoration of the 'Silver Bullet' in Public Sculpture
During the 1996 transformation of the former Star cars works location in St. John's, Wolverhampton, into a shopping complex, public artwork was installed to honor Sunbeam's achievements in land speed records. A bronze bas-relief panel illustrates the Silver Bullet alongside its driver, Kaye Don. This piece was created through the collaboration of artist Steve Field and sculptor John McKenna A.R.B.S. Executed in the style characteristic of 1930s Art Deco, the artwork pays tribute to Sunbeam’s legacy in automotive manufacturing and its multiple record-breaking endeavors.