Sunbeams in the 1920s were superb hand build luxury cars – bought by royalty, nobility and people who thought a Rolls Royce was a little ostentatious!
Believing strongly that "racing improves the breed", Sunbeams won French and Spanish Grand Prix in 1923 and 1924 (driven by Sir Henry Segrave).
Sir Malcolm Campbell and Sir Henry Segrave both drove Sunbeams to capture the Land Speed Record many times - in 1927 the first to exceed 200 mph
Following the depression, in 1935 Sunbeam went bust and was sold to Lord Rootes who kept the name for badge engineered Hillman cars - sold as Sunbeam Talbots - which were rallied with considerable success.
Links:
Sunbeam history
Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Register
Land Speed Record background
