Friday 31 July 2015

The Blue Bird Sunbeam Returns to Pendine Sands

The 350HP Sunbeam was built in 1920 as a record car, powered by the enormous 18.3-litre V12 Sunbeam Manitou engine.

By 1922, it had already broken 3 land speed records in the hands of various drivers.

In 1923, it was purchased by Sir Malcolm Campbell who had it repainted blue and re-christened “Blue Bird”.

On July 21st, 1925, racing Blue Bird on Pendine Sands in Wales, Sir Malcolm set a new land speed record of 150.766 mph (242.628 km/h).

© Paul Chenard 2015

Exactly 90 years later, the Blue Bird Sunbeam was returned to Pendine Sands to celebrate and honour this historic achievement.

© Paul Chenard 2015

The event was made that much more special with Sir Malcolm’s grandson Donald Wales, a land speed record holder in his own right, taking the wheel of this very beautiful record car.

© Paul Chenard 2015


© Paul Chenard 2015


© Paul Chenard 2015




The Blue Bird was joined on the beach by the powerful 1933 Napier Railton.

© Paul Chenard 2015

© Paul Chenard 2015

The sight of these 2 record-breakers on the beach was nothing short of stunning, a very fitting tribute the bravery of those drivers of the past, and of British technological history.