Our 1929 Sunbeam 16.9 Six-light Saloon was coach-built in Sydney by Diskon & Molyneaux. Originally supplied to an artist on Sydney's North Shore, it was sold in 1959 to the unfortunately named R Crooke, a car dealer in Glebe, and bought in 1960 by 20 year old Bob Phillips who used it as his daily drive. Bob completed lots of careful improvements to the engine and gearbox and it was well known as a very fast example in his ownership. It toured extensively, including to Queensland towing a caravan. Bob sold her in 1974 to a solicitor in Parramatta, and subsequent owners were Roger Levitt and Trevor Gaut before I bought it in 2013. The car was in a sad state when we acquired it - paint peeling, roof torn, trim removed and the engine not running and generally worn with numerous important small bits missing, but the potential was obvious. The magnificent fellows at the Sunbeam Register in the UK have talked me through a major refurbishment piece by piece and after many, many hours of patient attention, she now runs beautifully and is looking as tidy as a new car, while still retaining the character of an unrestored car or an older restoration. The coachwork was stripped back to bare metal and the original colour which we found underneath, "Wedgwood blue", matched and reinstated, and the original trim patterns were used to reupholster the quite luxurious interior. While a fresh engine rebuild is planned in the future, she runs quite happily at 80-90kph and handles extremely well, with positive steering, a lovely four speed right hand change gearbox and excellent four wheel brakes. Sunbeams were famous for the exceptional quality of their cars and, having got to know this one perhaps better than any previous owner, I can see why. The attention to detail in all the mechanical components is really remarkable. Current works to her include fitting of some lovely 1920s interior accessories, and restoration of a 1920s Eccles caravan to go behind.
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