Sir Henry Segrave
1927 Sunbeam 1000hp · individual land-speed record car
Photo details
Joyride serves the 6,048 × 4,024 Commons original JPEG byte-for-byte. No crop, resize, retouching, metadata removal, generation or vehicle reconstruction; responsive presentation may crop displayed edges.
Photo details
Joyride serves the current 538 × 800 Commons JPEG byte-for-byte. Commons records lossless removal of the archival caption bar on February 24, 2010; Joyride made no additional crop, resize, retouching, metadata removal or generation. A responsive frame may crop displayed edges. This identification portrait remains separate from Michael Gaylard’s actual-car photograph.
The same twin-V12 Sunbeam that first averaged more than 200 mph
- Connection
- Competition driver · not ownership
- When
- Record run on March 29, 1927 · surviving car restored in 2026
- Identity
- 1927 Sunbeam 1000hp · unique purpose-built record car · Montagu Collection survivor
The National Motor Museum identifies this individual 1927 Sunbeam as one of the first cars built solely for a land-speed record attempt. Its collection record names Major Henry Segrave as the driver, two 22,444 cc Matabele V12 aero engines as the power units and the Montagu Collection as owner. It was not a production model and was never marketed.
At Daytona Beach on March 29, 1927, Segrave made runs of 200.668 mph and 207.015 mph. Their 203.792 mph average established a world land-speed record and made the Sunbeam the first car to average more than 200 mph. This is a competition association, not evidence that Segrave personally owned the car.
The museum says the Sunbeam arrived at Beaulieu on loan in 1958 and Edward, Lord Montagu bought it in 1970. Its engineers completed a three-year restoration in June 2026, repairing original parts, refitting the original bodywork and adding a few additional components and new tyres. Michael Gaylard’s licensed March 24, 2022 photograph shows the actual survivor before that completed restoration; it does not prove unchanged 1927 specification.
The museum’s current USA itinerary places the restored car at the Petersen Automotive Museum from August 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027, before planned Daytona centenary events. That dated institutional display is not a personal-ownership claim, and future plans are not reported as completed events.
Where the car went next
- Early March 1927A largely untested car reaches America
The National Motor Museum says the purpose-built Sunbeam arrived in the United States largely untested after Europe offered no suitable nine-mile course.
- March 29, 1927Two runs average 203.792 mph
Segrave’s 200.668 mph and 207.015 mph runs at Daytona averaged 203.792 mph, the first official average above 200 mph.
- 1958The survivor reaches Beaulieu on loan
The museum records that the same Sunbeam went on display at Beaulieu on loan.
- 1970Montagu custody becomes ownership
Edward, Lord Montagu bought the car; the current collection record names the Montagu Collection as owner.
- March 24, 2022The actual car before completed restoration
Michael Gaylard photographed the survivor in the National Motor Museum under CC BY 2.0.
- June 25, 2026The three-year restoration is complete
The museum announced both engines installed and tested, original bodywork refitted, original parts repaired and new tyres added.
- August 19, 2026–January 3, 2027A dated Petersen display
The museum’s current itinerary lists the restored Sunbeam at the Petersen Automotive Museum; later Daytona appearances remain planned, not completed.
Sources for this story
National Motor Museum collection, history, restoration and itinerary records establish the individual car, Segrave’s driver role, the two-run record, Montagu Collection ownership, dated custody, restoration boundary and current institutional display. No Segrave ownership, unchanged 1927 configuration, fully original mechanical state, current private owner, completed future Daytona event, complete Sunbeam family coverage, exact Joyride catalog match, verified modified specification or compatible game representation is claimed.
- 1,000hp SunbeamNational Motor Museum · collection record · reviewed 2026-10-07 · external source
1927 identity, Montagu Collection ownership, manufacturer, purpose-built status, twin Matabele V12s, Segrave driver role and the two-run 203.792 mph record.
- History of the Sunbeam 1000hpNational Motor Museum · museum history · reviewed 2026-10-07 · external source
Unique record-car history, March 29, 1927 result, 1958 Beaulieu loan, 1970 Lord Montagu purchase and restoration context.
- Sunbeam 1000hp World Land Speed Record Breaker RestoredNational Motor Museum · 2026-06-25 · external source
Completed restoration, repaired original parts, both engines installed and tested, original bodywork refitted, a few additional components and new tyres.
- Sunbeam 1000hp Returns to the USANational Motor Museum · current itinerary · reviewed 2026-10-07 · external source
Post-restoration USA tour and the dated August 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027 Petersen display; later 2027 stops remain plans.
Reviewed
Why this is the actual car
- Photo identity evidence
Michael Gaylard identifies the March 24, 2022 National Motor Museum image as the 1000hp Sunbeam; Commons records the full original and CC BY 2.0 license.
- Photo identity evidence
The museum’s collection record identifies the unique surviving 1927 Sunbeam 1000hp, Segrave’s driver role and present Montagu Collection ownership.
The matching photographer, venue, date and vehicle history establish the identification; the chassis stamp is not visible in these photographs.