The mighty Sunbeam 1000hp – the first car to exceed 200mph on land – will make its long-awaited post-restoration debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2026, before returning to Daytona Beach the following Spring for a centennial drive marking a century since its record-breaking 203.79mph run.
Organisers have confirmed that the Sunbeam will headline a special curated class at the 75th Pebble Beach . It marks a rare international appearance for one of Britain’s greatest engineering achievements, currently undergoing an intensive restoration at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.
The project aims to return the car to the exact specification in which Sir Henry Segrave powered it across Daytona’s smooth sands on 29 March 1927, becoming the first person to pass 200mph. Significant progress has been made: the colossal rear Matabele V12 aero engine has already been fully rebuilt, refitted and successfully run in public, drawing crowds at this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble. Work has now shifted to the front engine, after which the restored bodywork will be refitted.
Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Sandra Button welcomed the news: ‘The process of restoring a one-off car like this takes real dedication. There is no pattern to follow. It takes time, research, effort and expertise. We are thrilled the museum intends to send the restored car to Pebble Beach to share with enthusiasts here.’
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu added that seeing the 1000hp car return to life has been ‘both emotional and revelatory’, describing it as ‘a member of the family’ that he never expected to run again.
The car’s return to the United States will be used to highlight the work of the National Motor Museum, a registered charity, which plans to take the Sunbeam to several American automotive museums – subject to funding – before the historic anniversary run at Daytona in 2027.
The 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will take place on 16 August 2026, featuring early American speedsters, Ferraris, Japanese race cars and the latest concept machines.
