A landmark in motoring history and a symbol of human ambition, the legendary 350hp Sunbeam will take pride of place at the 2025 Heveningham Concours – a dazzling celebration of design, performance, and engineering excellence, held on June 28–29 against the idyllic setting of Suffolk’s Heveningham Hall estate.
Set within sweeping Capability Brown-designed parkland, the Concours is far more than an exhibition of fine automobiles. It is a curated experience where motoring artistry is revered, where each vehicle is chosen for the story it tells and the design language it speaks. This year, few stories resonate as profoundly as that of the Sunbeam – a car that not only broke records, but also redefined what was possible.
A Vision Born from Aviation
Engineered in the aftermath of the First World War by Sunbeam’s brilliant chief engineer Louis Coatalen, the 350hp Sunbeam was a fusion of wartime innovation and postwar aspiration. At its heart lay an 18.3-litre V12 Manitou aero engine, originally developed to power naval seaplanes. Its sleek, narrow body – formed from polished aluminium and accented in British racing green – was as much a statement of elegance as it was of aerodynamic intent.
In 1922, this mechanical marvel made headlines when Kenelm Lee Guinness piloted it to a then-unprecedented 133.75mph over the flying kilometre at Brooklands, setting a new Land Speed Record. But the Sunbeam’s greatest triumph came in 1925 at the windswept sands of Pendine in Wales, where Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first human to surpass 150mph – a moment that forever altered the trajectory of motor racing and cemented the Sunbeam’s place in history.
An Icon Among Icons
Returning for its latest edition, the Heveningham Concours has earned a reputation for presenting automotive excellence in its purest form. Every year, a carefully assembled selection of the world’s rarest and most celebrated cars graces the lawns – from pre-war Grand Prix legends to contemporary hypercars, each entry chosen for its cultural and design impact.
The presence of the 350hp Sunbeam is both fitting and profound. It stands not only as a record-setter but as a cultural icon – a tangible link to a golden age of engineering audacity and visual purity. Its inclusion speaks volumes about the Concours’ ethos: to celebrate not just the machine, but the era, ambition, and human stories that shaped it.
The event’s judging panel, comprising some of the world’s most revered car designers, ensures that the vehicles on display are appreciated not merely for their rarity or value, but for the statement they make – mechanically, artistically, and historically.
More Than a Show – A Celebration
Set against a weekend of gourmet food, art installations, and world-class hospitality, the Concours offers an atmosphere that is both relaxed and rarefied. It runs alongside the Heveningham Country Fair, a beloved local tradition that attracts over 10,000 visitors annually, blending automotive splendour with rustic charm and community spirit.
Tickets for the 2025 Heveningham Concours are now available via www.heveninghamconcours.com, with proceeds benefiting local charities and supporting the estate’s forward-thinking sustainability efforts.
As the 350hp Sunbeam returns to centre stage – nearly a century after it first captured the world’s imagination – visitors to Heveningham Hall will have the rare opportunity to stand before a machine that not only made history, but became it.
