1-194-206 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Back view of a 1927 Sunbeam 1000hp. Major Henry Segrave, winner of the 1923 French Grand Prix, became a serious challenger to Malcolm Campbell's established land speed records. Segrave took the giant Sunbeam to Daytona Beach, Florida because it offered hard sand and a nine-mile course. The power unit was two V-12, 435bhp, 48 valve Matabele aero-engines with chain drive to the wheels. On 29th March 1927 a first run of 200mph was reached but the car had to be driven into the sea to slow down. On the return run with new brakes, a record speed of 203.793mph (327.973kph) was achieved.