1919 Sunbeam 16hp Tourer
Post-war automotive production resumed in Britain with renewed optimism, and Sunbeam’s 16hp Tourer marked the Wolverhampton manufacturer’s return to civilian vehicle manufacturing.
The five-seater touring car commanded £790 when new, reflecting both quality construction and the dramatic price increases that followed the Great War. Electric starting and lighting were standard equipment, modern conveniences that distinguished better automobiles from basic transportation.
The elegant touring body provided open-air motoring for five passengers, with traditional British proportions that balanced practicality with sporting character. During this period, Sunbeam’s reputation rivaled prestigious marques such as Alvis and Bentley.
Mechanical specifications included a 3.0-liter side-valve four-cylinder engine connected to a separate four-speed gearbox through a cone clutch. The chassis employed a handbrake operating on the rear wheels only, paired with a transmission-mounted foot brake system typical of the era.
Sunbeam had already established itself among Britain’s premier manufacturers through Louis Coatalen’s design influence and successful competition programs before the war.
The 16hp model carried this tradition forward, offering well-engineered automobiles that appealed to discerning motorists seeking quality construction and dependable performance in the early 1920s.
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