Makes › Sunbeam › 1000hp ("The Slug") · Historically significant · 1927
Sunbeam
1000hp ("The Slug")
First car over 200 mph: Henry Segrave, Daytona Beach, 29 March 1927, 203.79 mph mean
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: David Hunt · Public domain
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 1 Built
- Years
- 1927
- Engine
- Two V12 aero engines (Sunbeam Matabele), in line with the driver's cockpit between them · 22,500 cc / 22.5 LFactory: 22.5 L
- Power
- 649 kW / 882 PSFactory: 870 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 333.158 km/hFactory: 207.015 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Louis Coatalen (concept) with Captain J. S. Irving (detailed design)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 1000hp was one of the first purpose-built land speed record cars and the first to reach 200 mph. Major Henry Segrave drove it to a new record at Daytona Beach on 29 March 1927.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionIndividual purpose-built Land Speed Record car, held by the National Motor Museum (Montagu Collection): “one of the first purpose-built Land Speed Record cars and the first to reach 200mph” | 11 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The concept came from Sunbeam's chief engineer Louis Coatalen, with detailed design by Captain J. S. Irving. As no European venue was long enough, Segrave took the largely untested car to Daytona Beach in March 1927. On 29 March, with about 30,000 spectators, he made two runs of 200.668 mph and 207.015 mph, an average of 203.792 mph. In the first run the wind made the car swerve and skid and he had to drive it into the sea to slow down.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 1000hp ("The Slug").
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Two V12 aero engines (Sunbeam Matabele), in line with the driver's cockpit between them2 |
| Displacement | 22,500 cc / 22.5 LFactory: 22.5 L2,3Per engine. Motor Sport gives a combined 44.8 litres from 24 cylinders; Car Guy Chronicles gives 22.4 litres per engine. |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 649 kW / 882 PSFactory: 870 hp · converted3,2 Independently researchedMotor Sport: 870 bhp more realistic than the 1000 hp name, 748 bhp officially recorded at the wheels. National Motor Museum: 435 bhp per engine, actual output around 900 hp. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Three-speed gearbox, driveshaft and chains2 |
|---|---|
| Gears | 32 |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Drum brakes (overheated in the Daytona runs)3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | 7,160 mmFactory: 23.5 ft · converted3 Independently researched23 ft 6 in. |
| Width | 1,830 mmFactory: 6 ft · converted3 Independently researched |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | 3,880 kgFactory: 3,880 kg3 Independently researchedStated as 76 cwt (3880 kg). |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 333.158 km/hFactory: 207.015 mph · converted2Fastest single run; two-way average 203.792 mph. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu – Sunbeam 1,000hp Level B
- 1 Individual purpose-built Land Speed Record car, held by the National Motor Museum (Montagu Collection): “one of the first purpose-built Land Speed Record cars and the first to reach 200mph”
-
2
Sunbeam 1000hp Level A National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
- two 22.5 litre V12 Matabele aero engines ... positioned in line with the driver's cockpit
- two 22.5 litre V12 Matabele aero engines
- each delivering 435bhp ... actual power output was around 900hp
- three-speed gearbox, driveshaft and chains
- three-speed gearbox
- 207.015mph giving an average speed of 203.792mph
-
3
Segrave's 1000bhp Sunbeam Level B Motor Sport Magazine
- combined for 44.8 litres from 24 cylinders
- 870bhp was more realistic, with 748bhp officially recorded at the wheels
- Its drum brakes overheated
- 23ft 6in long and 6ft wide
- its 76cwt (3880kg)
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