Bicester Heritage is teaming up with the National Motor Museum for the Scramble in October to celebrate Malcolm Campbell, perhaps the most famous Land Speed Record hero of them all.
It was in September 1924 that he and Bluebird set their first official record, 146.163 mph on Pendine Sands in Wales, and the Sunbeam 350HP he used that very day will be a standout display at the Scramble a century later – almost to the day.
Campbell returned to Pendine the following summer and the record rose past the 150 mph barrier for the first time, adding to the legend of the remarkable man and machine.
Designed by Louis Coatalen, the 18-litre V12 also powered pre-war greats including Jean Chassange and René Thomas, plus Campbell’s fellow record chaser and racer Kenelm Lee Guinness. It was in the 350HP that Lee Guinness set the final official Land Speed Record at Brooklands in 1922.
“I am proud of the close friendship we have with the National Motor Museum, and I must thank the team at Beaulieu for agreeing to bring such a significant car to mark such a significant milestone to the Scramble,” said Daniel Geoghegan, CEO of Bicester Motion.
The Sunbeam, which resides in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, will be on display on Sunday 6 October.
