Sunbeam Motor Car Co Ltd
The Sunbeam Motor Car Company was established by John Marston who was born in 1836 Ludlow. He started his own business and then took over Edward Perry’s business when he died. In 1913 and 1914, Sunbeam’s production of a car called “Toodles V”, which was the first racing car to be powered by an aero engine and had a V12 airship engine, raced in America during the First World War. After the outbreak of World War I, Sunbeam Motor Cars began production for the war. They made the 16hp car in 1915 and continued their production line through 1916 too. This car was developed to the 12/16hp which had a 3 litre, 4 cylinder engine. Over 1600 of these cars were made, and then the 20hp which was larger was also produced. Just over 100 were made. A 30hp was also produced but only 15 were built.
The Ministry of Munitions made and ordered that the company stop car production and concentrate entirely on the work of aircraft and air engines for the war. However, the demand for the 16hp model for staff cars and ambulances was high, so Rover were given the licence to produce them. This meant that the name “Rover” would be carried with those cars too. Due to this, it is said that Coatalen (chief engineer) changed the drawings for the cars as Rover’s cars weren’t as powerful as Wolverhampton’s. Moorfield works had to expand over several acres in order to produce aircraft and air engines for the war.
The Ministry of Munitions made and ordered that the company stop car production and concentrate entirely on the work of aircraft and air engines for the war. However, the demand for the 16hp model for staff cars and ambulances was high, so Rover were given the licence to produce them. This meant that the name “Rover” would be carried with those cars too. Due to this, it is said that Coatalen (chief engineer) changed the drawings for the cars as Rover’s cars weren’t as powerful as Wolverhampton’s. Moorfield works had to expand over several acres in order to produce aircraft and air engines for the war.