The National Motor Museum is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for Restoration of the Year at the 2026 International Historic Motoring Awards.
National Motor Museum’s Sunbeam 1000hp restoration project has been recognised in the Restoration of the Year for its workshop team’s expert restoration of the revolutionary World Land Speed record car and its contribution to the preservation of motoring heritage.
About the awards
The International Historic Motoring Awards, the most prestigious accolades in the world of classic and historic motoring, are proud to reveal the shortlisted nominees for the 2026 awards.
Celebrating excellence, innovation and dedication across the global historic motoring community, the International Historic Motoring Awards shine a spotlight on individuals, clubs, organisations and events that preserve, promote and enrich our shared motoring heritage.
This year’s nominees reflect the passion, expertise and creativity that continue to drive the historic motoring sector forward.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on 13 November 2026 at The Peninsula London hotel, where leading figures from the international motoring world will gather to celebrate outstanding contributions to the preservation and enjoyment of motoring history.
Restoration
The restoration project has taken over three years – with many additional years of preparatory work, with the Museum’s workshop team expertise being tested with such a mammoth motoring heritage project, as there were no manuals or documentation to help.
The workshop team, based at Beaulieu, led by Senior Engineer Ian Stanfield found more problems than expected while dismantling the front engine – one of two of the Sunbeam’s colossal 22.5 litre Matabele V12 aero engines – and extensive work was carried out, both on and off-site, to repair the original parts. Collaboration partners and supporters have worked extensively with the Museum to get the project over the line.
National Motor Museum Chief Executive, Jon Murden says, “I’m so proud of this achievement and the Museum workshop team. I’m delighted that Ian Stanfield and his team’s expertise and perseverance secured this restoration. We are thrilled to be recognised by the International Historic Motoring Awards. To be shortlisted among such an esteemed group of nominees is an honour and reflects the hard work and passion of our team/community.”
Sunbeam 1000hp has also made the shortlist for International Historic Motoring Awards Car of the Year. To add your vote to help secure the esteemed award visit: 2026-ihma-car-of-the-year-award/.
The Sunbeam 1000hp is now on show in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles after making a star appearance at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
To follow Sunbeam’s itinerary in the USA, its history and restoration see https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/sunbeam1000hp.
About the National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum Trust Limited is an independent 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 vehicles and associated motoring items on display at the National Motor Museum at the Beaulieu attraction. The Museum opened to the public in 1972 and in 1989 the nearby Collections Centre was established. The collections at the National Motor Museum total 1.9 million items. They comprise, vehicle, object, reference library, archive, photographic and film & video Collections, all of which were Designated as being of national and international significance in 1997. The Museum shares the story of motoring on the roads and racetracks of Great Britain, and its mission is to engage and inspire people with the story of motoring through world class collections.
For more information about its collection and services, see www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk.