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Whilst not concerned with the production of sports cars as such, the Sunbeam-Talbot concern are noted for their high-grade sports-tourers, particularly the "Ten," which was undoubtedly the best-looking car of its type on the market. It was a direct descendant of the Aero-Minx, and retained most of the characteristics of that popular little car, together with more luxurious bodywork. It was originally named the Talbot "Ten" but the concern adopted the Sunbeam-Talbot title towards the end of 1938. The 1185-c.c. (63 x 95-mm.) side-valve engine was fitted with a Stromberg carburetter having a novel form of thermostatic control, and an aluminium cylinder head is featured. The chassis was very low- built, and suspension was by means of semi-elliptic front and rear, controlled by Luvax-Girling dampers.
A four-speed synchromesh gearbox, similar to that used on the Hillman Minx, was fitted, but differed in that remote control was employed. Bendix brakes were standardised, and the car had first-rate road-holding properties. The 10-h.p. chassis was also available with a 2-litre power unit. The six-cylinder 3-litre (3181-c.c. 75 x 120-mm.) cars were also produced as sports-tourers prior to the war, and were developed from the Talbot cars. The Sunbeam-Talbots, however, employed side-valve engines, similar to the power units fitted in the larger Humbers, in place of the o.h.v. power plants used in the Talbots. In addition to the open bodies, both "Ten" and 2-litre Sunbeam-Talbots are obtainable as saloons and drophead coupes. An extremely smart roadster was introduced in 1939, but we do not believe it was made post World War 2. |
