The delegation of the National Motor Museum will join the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum on Saturday 15 August 2026, as part of Pebble Beach Automotive Week, to kick-off centenary celebrations for the remarkable Sunbeam 1000hp World Land Speed Record car.
(All words and photographs from The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu).
The event will be held at the Concours Village at Pebble Beach, and Chief Executive of the National Motor Museum, Dr Jon Murden will be joined by the Museum’s Chief Engineer Ian Stanfield and Sunbeam Project Patron, Martin Braybrook for a special discussion exploring the story behind one of Britain’s most significant engineering achievements.
Back to the Beach: 100 Years of the Sunbeam 1000hp will take place in the Concours Village at Pebble Beach and will be moderated by Dr Jon Murden. This presentation will show the story of how the 1000 HP Sunbeam was built and its successful 203.7 mph World Land Speed Record attempt by Sir Henry Segrave on Daytona Beach in 1927, securing its globally recognised status in motoring history.
Ian Stanfield and Martin Braybrook will also outline its recent restoration at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, England, and the anticipation of the joy of hearing its engines roar at Pebble Beach, ahead of a short US tour, culminating in a return to Daytona Beach to commemorate the anniversary of the land speed record in March 2027. The conversation will examine the ambition, innovation and craftsmanship behind the creation of the Sunbeam 1000hp, as well as its enduring place in the history of motoring and the pursuit of speed.
Preserved by the National Motor Museum, the Sunbeam 1000hp remains a testament to the vision and technical expertise of its creators. Built during a pioneering period of automotive development, it reflects the ingenuity and determination that helped shape Britain’s motoring heritage and continues to inspire enthusiasts, engineers and visitors from around the world.
The Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum, part of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, brings together leading voices from across the automotive community to share insights into the vehicles, people and stories that continue to shape collector car culture. The National Motor Museum’s participation offers an opportunity to share the story of the Sunbeam 1000hp with an international audience as it reaches this significant milestone.
The restored Sunbeam 1000hp will make its post-restoration debut at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance on 16th August 2026 when it will headline the Special Curated Class. The National Motor Museum and planning to return the car to Daytona Beach a centenary after it set the amazing breakthrough there on the 29th March 1927.
Find out more at https://nationalmotormuseum.
National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum Trust Limited is a charitable organisation founded in 1972, which runs the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest. Continuing the work of the flagship Montagu Motor Museum, the Trust has a world-famous collection of 280 vehicles and associated motoring items on display at the National Motor Museum. An Accredited Museum, all its collections have been designated by Arts Council England as being of national and international importance. Its internationally acclaimed collection of more than 1.9 million items is cared for by the National Motor Museum Trust and includes historically significant motoring artifacts, film footage, images, documents and books. The nearby Collections Centre houses and cares for a vast array of motoring artifacts, photographic images, a specialist reference library, and a film and video library. For more information about its collection and services, see www.nationalmotormuseum.org.
Beaulieu
Your ticket to Beaulieu includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its brand new gallery Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story, display Disney and Pixar Cars and hands-on We Had One Of Those. Step back in time at Palace House with its recently refurbished former private wing, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the Secret Army Exhibition, have fun in Little Beaulieu and enjoy unlimited rides on the monorail while exploring the beautiful grounds and gardens. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.