1951 SUNBEAM S7 DELUXE WITH SIDECAR
Auction Sale Estimate: $12000- $16000

THE ORIGINAL FAT BOY

The Sunbeam S7 and S8 were designed by Erling Poppe and based on the BMW R75 designs that were acquired by BSA (together with the full rights to the Sunbeam brand) at the end of World War II. The machine was built in Redditch and the engine layout was an unusual in-line 500cc twin which drove a shaft drive to the rear wheel. The early S7 was expensive and over-engineered, the S7 De Luxe and the S8 were redesigned to reduce expense and complexity, while retaining many of the innovative parts of the early Sunbeam and updating some ideas such as the rubber-mounted overhead-camshaft engine, shaft drive and plunger rear suspension. Described as ‘The world’s most magnificent motorcycle’, it was priced at £222.0s.0d. This example is in fine running order, is warranted and registered and comes with a personalised plate 51S7. The sidecar is also in very good condition and is period correct. The complete unit has done 2070 miles since a full restoration in 1996.

Image and text courtesy Webbs Auction House NZ

Sunbeam S7 Motorcycles