Beaulieu engineers about to start restoring Sunbeam's engine

Engineers at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu have spent the past year-and-a-half stripping down part of a bright red car known as the Sunbeam 1000hp.

Powered by two 22.5-litre engines, the vehicle attained a speed of more than 203mph at Daytona Beach in Florida on March 29 1927.

Over the past few months, new engine parts have been made while others have restored in a process described by the award-winning museum as "forensic".

The legendary car set a new world land speed record at Daytona Beach in Florida in 1927 (Image: National)

A spokesperson said: "Bolts and parts have been removed, then meticulously labelled and bagged ready for the rebuild.

"There's been no manual or documentation to follow, so the workshop team has relied on rare pictures they have been able to find."

READ MORE: Plan to celebrate centenary of world speed record set by Sunbeam 1000hp in 1927

Ian Stanfield, the museum's senior engineer, added: "We have found unique engineering and a wonderful quality of workmanship during the restoration so far – but nothing has been easy to get at."

Cracks in the engine’s crankcase were discovered during testing and have been repaired using laser welding.

The legendary car set a new world land speed record at Daytona Beach in Florida in 1927 (Image: National Motor)

Sunbeam 1000hp relied on an air starter mechanism, but the team found that most of the parts were missing and have embarked on the process of making replacements.

Ian added: “It’s been a privilege because not everyone gets to work on a land speed record breaker.

"We found problems with Sunbeam 1000hp which, as custodians of its future, we weren’t willing to leave. As oils and lubricants get older, they turn into a tar-like consistency and 'glue' engine parts together. That deterioration continues if it's not dealt with."

The car's two engines are so big that a forklift truck was needed to lift them from the chassis.

Engineers have been working on Sunbeam for the past 18 months (Image: National Motor Museum)

A plaque that was attached to the front engine before the car became part of the National Motor Museum collection, said: "Engine will not start owing to vital part of mechanism being removed."

The engine and the car's exposed chassis can be seen by visitors to the museum.

Engineers are planning to start-up the rear engine before it is lowered back into the chassis. Once its restoration is complete, the team aims to start work on the front engine.

Funds are now needed to complete the project.

The Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign was launched with Hampshire-based Brookspeed Automotive and aims to raise the £300,000 needed to complete the restoration.

Donations can be made online at nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/sunbeam-1000hp-restoration-campaign