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Sunbeam 350hp returns to Pendine Sands for record centenary

Sunbeam 350hp returns to Pendine Sands for record centenary

The Sunbeam 350hp, which became the first car to exceed 150mph in 1925, returned to Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire, Wales, for the centenary of its world land speed record, set on July 21, 1925, by Sir Malcolm Campbell.
Now part of the National Motor Museum's collection at Beaulieu, the car is being celebrated for its role in British motoring history.
Jon Murden, chief executive of the National Motor Museum Trust, said: "We are delighted to have been able to honour such a landmark world land speed record anniversary with this and other events this year, which will both celebrate its importance in motoring history and provide more opportunities to see Blue Bird."
Nicknamed Blue Bird by Campbell, the Sunbeam 350hp was the centrepiece of the Pendine celebration, which included an engine start-up and a run along the beach.
Doug Hill, chief engineer and museum manager at the National Motor Museum, described the significance of the car.
He said: "The Sunbeam 350hp is an 18.4 litre V12 semi aero engine monster.
"It was the fastest car in the world 100 years ago.
"Campbell was up and coming race driver and he realized that there was a lot of endeavour and glory to be had in being the fastest man on the planet, and so he bought the Sunbeam 350hp from the Sunbeam company."
Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and a supporter of the museum's restoration work, was pictured in the driver's seat at the event.
He was later joined by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, president of the National Motor Museum.
The Sunbeam 350hp previously returned to Pendine in 2015 following the restoration of its complex V12 engine.
It has since returned to Beaulieu, where it is on permanent display alongside other land speed record vehicles, including the Sunbeam 1000hp, Golden Arrow, and Bluebird CN7.
The museum is also featuring an Icons of Formula 1 display this summer.
A dedicated section about the Sunbeam 350hp, along with limited-edition commemorative merchandise, is available on the National Motor Museum's website.
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