page_title: Sunbeam Motor Car Company
section_title: Louis Coatalen
hierarchical_section_title: Sunbeam Motor Car Company / Ownership / Sunbeam Motor Car Company / Louis Coatalen
caption_attribution_description: 1914 Sunbeam 12/16hp British The 16/20hp was one of Louis Coatalen's early designs and helped Sunbeam to become one of Britain's premier car manufacturers. The car's excellent design was proved by Sunbeam's success in the 1911, 1912 and 1913 Coupe de l'Auto Races. A new 12/16 version appeared at the 1911 Olympia Show when the monobloc L-head developed for the Coupe de l'Auto. The use of forced oil feed to the engine bearings was an innovative feature of the model. Cylinders: 4 Valves: Side Capacity: 3016cc Power Output: Not known Maximum Speed: 50mph Price New: £535 Manufacturer: Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited, Wolverhampton Owner: National Motor Museum Trust (Bequest of Mr J. MacKinley)
context_page_description: Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited was a British motor car manufacturer with its works at Moorfields in Blakenhall, a suburb of Wolverhampton in the county of Staffordshire, now West Midlands. Its Sunbeam name had been registered by John Marston in 1888 for his bicycle manufacturing business. Sunbeam motor car manufacture began in 1901. The motor business was sold to a newly incorporated Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited in 1905 to separate it from Marston's pedal bicycle business; Sunbeam motorcycles were not made until 1912.
  In-house designer Coatalen's enthusiasm for motor racing accumulated expertise with engines. Sunbeam manufactured their own aero engines during the First World War and 647 aircraft to the designs of other manufacturers. Engines drew Sunbeam into Grand Prix racing and participation in the achievement of world land speed records.
  In spite of its well-regarded cars and aero engines, by 1934 a long period of particularly slow sales had brought continuing losses. Sunbeam was unable to repay money borrowed for ten years in 1924 to fund its Grand Prix racing programme, and a receiver was appointed.
context_section_description: The Breton car designer, Louis Coatalen, joined Sunbeam from Hillman-Coatalen in 1909, and became chief designer. He soon reorganised production so almost all parts were built in-house instead of relying on outside suppliers with their variable quality. He quickly introduced his first design, the Sunbeam 14/20, their first to use a shaft-driven rear axle. It was upgraded in 1911 with a slightly larger engine and rebranded 16/20.
  Coatalen also designed a number of passenger cars, notably the Sunbeam 12–16. By 1911 Sunbeam were building about 650 cars a year and were regarded as a substantial motor manufacturer. Wolseley sold 3,000 cars of similar quality in 1913. Ford sold 6,000 Model Ts that same year assembled at Trafford Park, Manchester. In 1914 Ford switched on Britain's first moving assembly line for car production and it began its run at a rate of 21 cars an hour.
caption: 1914 12–16 4-cylinders 3 Litres
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