Tom Wiencek recently offered a tip on an article in Automobile Quarterly
titled "Light of the Sunbeam". I found the article in Vol. 33, No. 2,pp.
40-57, September, 1994 issue of A.Q. The article is on the life and
contributions of Louis Coatalen, the engineering genius at sunbeam from 1909
to the '30s. It is the best article I've found on Coatalen, and includes
accounts of friends and associates who knew him. There are many good photos
of early Sunbeams, particlularly racing and record cars.
Coatalen was obsessed with racing and world record attempts, and committed
Sunbeam to a heavy and very successful competition program. It is amazing
what was accomplished in grand prix, rally, and world speed records by
Sunbeam powered cars. Sunbeam racers were on the cutting edge of engine
technology, incorporating twin overhead cams, superchargers, and other
advances from 1915 through the 1920s. Unfortunately, the competition program
drained Sunbeam's resources, and the company could not weather the
depression. Sunbeam merged with Talbot/Darracq, and were acquired by Rootes
in 1935.
-------------------------------------
Name: Rex A. Funk
E-mail: rexfunk(at)ni.net
Date: 04/16/95
Time: 22:03:41
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