Sunbeam Racer thumbnail 1
Sunbeam Racer thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Imagine Gallery, Small Worlds, Case 1, Shelf 2

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Sunbeam Racer

Clockwork Toy Car
1927 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This model, which is not a completely accurate representation, was made in 1927. It is based on the car driven by Major H. O. D. Segrave at Daytona Beach, Florida, where it competed to break the land speed record. The car recorded an official speed of 203.792 miles per hour and an unofficial speed of 207.015 miles per hour.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Clockwork Car
  • Car
TitleSunbeam Racer (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Metal and cardboard
Brief description
Sunbeam Racer land speed record car made in the USA by Kingsbury Manufacturing Co. in 1927
Physical description
Electrically welded mild steel car with hand decorated red lacquer finish. Equipped with Dunlop rubber tyres and a strong clockwork mechanism, with integral key, situated below the driver. The driver is painted silver. The car has its name on the front and an English and American flag at the front and sides.The cardboard box is decorated on all sides with drawings of the car.
Dimensions
  • Height: 100mm
  • Width: 125mm
  • Depth: 475mm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
on the cardboard box:- sides 1&3:- Kingsbury Motor Driven Toy.Sunbeam Racer. An authentic and exclusive reproduction of the 'Mystery Sunbeam' Racer made with my permission (signed) Maj.H.O.D.Segrave. The speediest toy on wheels. Equipped with Dunlop Tires. side 2:- Kingsbury Motor Driven Toy. Mystery Sunbeam Racer. The car that made 207.015 miles per hour (set in 1927).Not attained under official conditions. side 4:- Kingsbury Motor Driven Toy. Mystery Sunbeam Racer. The fastest time ever made by man on wheels. on the base of the car:- KINGSBURY MOTOR DRIVEN the K and the Y are vertically elongated
Credit line
Given by Lawrence Bray
Production
Reason For Production: Commemorative
Summary
This model, which is not a completely accurate representation, was made in 1927. It is based on the car driven by Major H. O. D. Segrave at Daytona Beach, Florida, where it competed to break the land speed record. The car recorded an official speed of 203.792 miles per hour and an unofficial speed of 207.015 miles per hour.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.193&A-1978

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Record createdFebruary 23, 2004
Record URL
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