Would any HAMB Historians know why the Henry Seagrave Sunbeam that turned 203MPH at Daytona Beach March 29, 1927 is parked on Main Street in Danbury, Ct. in August? Match races, I don't think so. Maybe Fair Week was earlier back then and this isn't Main St. but somewere on the Fairgrounds. Thanks to the tip from Twin6 I won this photo on "That Auction Site" Bob http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/03/0329mystery-sunbeam-203mph/
I can see railroad tracks in the street, so maybe the car was just getting switched from one car to another, but why was it in Danbury?
Fire up the Matabeles and run down for a sandwich... I have to imagine that it was either a shipment waypoint or some work was being done on the car there, Coatalen wasn't above picking up a few bucks here and there, Sunbeam was never the best-funded outfit, so maybe showing off at the fair? It wasn't the kind of car you could do much with at the local horse track.
Here's a very nice article with a lot more pictures. Was this a traditional hotrod? Got to think so, even if it's not a Deuce. http://www.gregwapling.com/hotrod/land-speed-racing-history/land-speed-racing-sunbeam-slug.html
Thanks 5window! Sounds like the car was shipped home right after the Daytona run, now the Danbury in August mystery gets mor interesting. Great photo of it all boxed and ready to go. Bob
From the article, "One more primitive feature was the final drive to the rear axle using a pair of chains. Only weeks before the record attempt, J. G. Parry-Thomas had been decapitated when a similar chain in his car Babs had broken at speed. " Yikes!
Ben, here is a link to BABS and her history and rebirth. The rear that broke is said to have been in one of the old Blitzen Benz race cars from the 1910 era. Bob http://www.parry-thomas.co.uk/
The Jalopy Journal
