Sunbeam 1000 HP Awakens for Pebble Beach

A Legend Awakens

Pebble Beach, California (November 12, 2025) — After more than 90 years of silence, the fearsome Sunbeam 1000 HP is stirring again. The pioneering machine, the first car to surpass 200 mph, is undergoing a careful restoration at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, England. If the work stays on schedule, the Sunbeam will make its United States debut at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2026. Organizers also plan a centennial return to Daytona Beach in the spring of 2027.

The car will headline a special curated class at the landmark Concours. “The process of restoring a one-off car like this takes real dedication,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “There is no pattern to be followed. It takes time and research, effort and expertise. We are thrilled to know that the National Motor Museum intends to send the restored car to Pebble Beach, to share with enthusiasts here.” Period images are courtesy of the National Motor Museum.

The Race to 200 Miles Per Hour

In the early 20th century, speed milestones came slowly. Engineers first broke the 100 mph barrier in 1904. Then, more than two decades passed before Malcolm Campbell reached 150 mph in July 1925, driving a Sunbeam 350 HP. The Sunbeam 1000 HP followed less than two years later. Designers mounted two 22.4-liter Matabele aero engines fore and aft and created a radical layout for the era.

On March 29, 1927, the car achieved history on the sands of Daytona Beach. With Harry Segrave at the wheel, it recorded an average speed of 203.79 mph. That moment reset expectations for what a land-based machine could do. It also sealed the Sunbeam’s status as a landmark in engineering. “This car has been at Beaulieu since before I was born and feels like a member of the family,” said Ralph, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. “Watching the restoration take place has revealed so much I never knew. It will be quite a thrill to have the car at Pebble Beach.”