To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Cliveden House event, 8 July 2025.

• Known ownership history since new
• Used in touring and enthusiast events since the early 1950s
• Featured with Peter Sellers in the 1959 film The Mouse That Roared
• A wonderful example of the Wolverhampton Sunbeam

Please note this car is offered without registration papers, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction.

A sought-after Wolverhampton-built 12/16 HP Sunbeam, chassis number 7831 was built late in 1913—complete with a four-seater Tourer body finished in grey and fitted with its present engine numbered 7517. It was delivered new at the end of November 1913 to Alice Elizabeth Master of St. Arvans Court, Chepstow, with whom it was registered as “AX 602”. Fewer than seven months later, it changed hands to Frederick Marriner Aston of Washaway, Cornwall, who sadly went off to World War I and did not return. His sister used the car with a chauffeur until 1930, at which point it was put in storage on the family estate, Stonehurst in Mayfield, East Sussex.

In 1948 the car was sold at the auction of Stonehurst’s contents to Julian Fall, an early Sunbeam enthusiast. Writing the car’s history, Bruce Dowell commented that when acquired, “the plug leads had been muddled up, probably to fox any German invaders, but when that had been sorted out she started very readily with a tow”. It was driven to the Prescott Hill Climb in August 1948. Soon after the car was acquired by the long-time Sunbeam enthusiast and collector Costin L Densham of Chalden, Surrey. While in the Densham stable the car was used at the Silverstone meeting of July 1949.

In 1952 it passed to Charles South, remaining with his family for 50 years and two generations. Mr South was an exceptionally avid motorist and used the car for extensive touring all over Europe, including throughout the United Kingdom and to Belgium, France, and the Channel Islands. It was dated by the Veteran Car Club in 1953 and was overhauled as needed, always with a very sensitive hand. In the 1960s, the upholstery was replaced but the original horse-hair fillings were re-used. This work was paid for by renting the car to the producers of the Peter Sellers film The Mouse That Roared.

Michael Bradbrook acquired the Sunbeam from Graham South in August 2002 and sold it to the late Jim Boland in May 2003. It has remained in The Boland Collection for 22 years, and is still in the same patinated, charmingly worn “oily rag” condition in which it has spent the majority of its long, rich life. Please note, following a period of static display, it is recommended that the car is inspected by a mechanic prior to being driven.

The Sunbeam typifies the best of the Edwardian-era motorcars, having been properly upkept and used for the majority of its life, and always remaining the same intact, peppy vintage tourer that it still is.

Please note this lot has entered the UK on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the UK on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the UK.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ch25/.