Highlights

•  A rarely seen example of the most sporting of the post-war Sunbeams
•  In the same family ownership since 1994
•  Notable for its highly original condition
•  Reported to be running well and ready to enjoy

The Appeal

BSA had bought the Sunbeam name and reputation back in 1943. After the war they used the name to adorn their flagship motorcycle range, based on the BMW R75. One of the spoils of war had been the plans for the BMW, although BSA were keen to anglicise their version for obvious reasons. The S7 and S8 Sunbeams were the eventual result.

This 1950 S8 model was a lighter weight and more stripped back version of the early S7 and S7 De Luxe making it the fastest and most sports orientated. It also benefited from having many of the wrinkles of the earlier models exorcised, together with outlandish looking “balloon” tyres.

This example presents in a fine original condition and hails from long term family ownership. With less than 8,600 ever made this represents a rare and sought after model today.

The History & Paperwork

•  First registered in May 1950
•  Number 1,458 built in BSA’s Redditch of a total of 8,530 made
•  Acquired by the current owner’s grandfather in December 1994
•  Sparing used before being gifted to the current owner in May 2023
•  The current owner becoming the fifth keeper at that stage
•  Mechanically tweaked by the current owner to its current well running condition
•  Paperwork includes the V5 in the name of the owner
•  The S8 is registered as a Historic Vehicle
•  As such it is considered MOT and VED exempt in the UK
•  A number of earlier MOT certificates are reported to be present

The Condition

•  This S8 presents in black, one of the three factory hues available
•  The paintwork appears to be of a variable quality
•  The tank’s finish exhibits a little texture
•  This may suggest some later home touch ups
•  The remainder of the black paint looks to be in a good, lustrous condition
•  This includes to the exposed frame, mudguards, headlamp bowl and side panels
•  The tank is adorned with original enamel, blue Sunbeam emblems
•  The original rubber knee pads are present and correct
•  The foot pegs for both rider and pillion feature Sunbeam embossed rubbers
•  The rubber covers of the hand grips appear in fine condition
•  The externally sprung, individual rider and pillion saddles present very well
•  A big, original Smiths chronometric 120mph speedometer faces the rider
•  The only other instrumentation is the ammeter on the offside side panel
•  Light lenses appear in fine order front and back
•  The large indicators seem to be later additions
•  The alloy casing and fins of the Line-Ahead-Twin engine are in great shape
•  The distinctive cast aluminium silencer is original and well preserved
•  The cross-spoked wheels are finished in silver and black paintwork
•  The tyres are distinctively dressed in Atlas white wall inserts
•  The overall condition appears very good for the Sunbeam’s age
•  Body panels appear free from noticeable dents or dings

The Mechanics

•  BSA sought to differentiate their motorcycle from the R75 in mechanical specifications
•  They fitted their own longitudinally mounted, inline vertical OHC 500 cc twin
•  This was based on a 1932 experimental unit called the Line-Ahead-Twin (LAT)
•  Originally rated at around 26bhp
•  This was enough to endow the lighter S8 with an 80mph plus top speed
•  Power is routed via a four-speed gearbox
•  Final drive is courtesy of a BMW-esque shaft drive
•  Drum brakes are fitted as are BSA forks and plunger style shock absorbers
•  The current owner has tweaked the running of the Sunbeam
•  He now reports it as being in a “good running condition”