Highlights

  • Fully restored over a period from 2015 to 2022
  • Winner of the R.W. Thomson Fellowship Award at the 54th Memorial Rally in Stonehaven 2023
  • Third in Class at the Fraserburgh Vintage Car Rally 2023
  • Only 8 miles covered since restoration

The Appeal

The Sunbeam S8 was a reduced variant of the expensive and intensely over-engineered S7, which itself was known for its innovative design and top-notch build quality. The S8 was, by nature, substantially lighter, which enabled it to reach a respectable 85mph and led to the manufacturer dubbing it the 'Sports' model of the range. It was by far the most popular of the S7 line, selling around 8,300 units.

This particular 1951 Sunbeam S8 was restored between 2015 and 2022, and the results have been rightfully acclaimed - having won the R.W. Thomson Fellowship Award and securing third place in its class at the Fraserburgh Vintage Car Rally in 2023.

Owned by the same family from new, the bike has clearly been cossetted before being passed on to the current owner, who completed its restoration. With only 8 miles covered since, it's still in excellent mechanical order and is ready to hit the road with the lucky new keeper.



History and Paperwork

  • Registered in 1951
  • The vendor is only the second owner, with the first owner being a family friend
  • Bought on 25th June 2021
  • Fully restored over a period from 2015 to 2022
  • Garaged as long as the owner has been aware of the bike
  • Registered as a Historic Vehicle with an MOT Exemption declaration in place
  • SORN from February 2024
  • Winner of the R.W. Thomson Fellowship Award at the 54th Memorial Rally in Stonehaven 2023
  • Third in Class at the Fraserburgh Vintage Car Rally 2023
  • Folder with receipts from Stewart Engineering and others, showing the parts that have been replaced
  • Proof of ownership with a Bill of Sale from the previous owner and a V5 in the current owner's name
  • Currently indicates 29,923 miles on a five-figure odometer
  • This is likely to be accurate, with less than 10 miles covered since restoration



The Condition

  • The frame and tinware have all been cleaned and repainted
  • The frame and all tinware have been repainted with a black gloss finish
  • The bike is 'stock standard' 
  • Restoration has been focused on maintaining originality
  • The petrol tank has been cleaned and re-lined
  • All mechanical components look in fine order
  • Seat is in good condition



The Mechanics

  •  487cc parallel twin OHC four stroke engine
  • Manual transmission with 4 gears
  • The engine, gearbox, and rear drive have all been overhauled
  • New wiring harness and other electrical components have been repaired or replaced
  • The CVC regulator has been replaced with a modern solid-state device
  • The bike still has the original 6 Volt electrics and original carburettor
  • We understand it's driving well with no mechanical issues



BEFORE YOU BUY 
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 
We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own  full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle. 
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection 
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected] 

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

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Auction Details
  • Year 1952
  • Make Sunbeam
  • Model S8
  • Colour Black
  • Mileage 29,923 Miles
  • Engine size 487
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Abderdeen
  • County Scotland
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Auction ends

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