Page 24 <strong>DUDLEY</strong> CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 2012 MEMORY LANE www.expressandstar.com/free-editions Sunbeam cars gathered for the unveiling of a blue plaque on the site in Penn The racing car Toodles V at Brooklands, where it broke eight world records Where the work took place –the Sunbeam racing car workshop in 1922 Coatalen, centre, examining the Sunbeam Bomber in 1917 at the airfield in Castle Bromwich WHATEVER THE MAKE OF YOUR OUR PLUS ANTI-FREEZE AND COOLANT CHECK IS NOW JUST £1.99* GET A FREE CAN OF DE-ICER Terms and conditions apply *Further costs may be incurred if top up is required Days when Sunbeam raced ahead in Grand Prix stakes FOR more than 60 years Britain has dominated Grand Prix manufacturing, but it was not always thus. In the early days it was French cars which led the way, and, in the days before the World Championship, it was winning the French Grand Prix which was recognised as the pinnacle of motor-racing achievement. The first British car to win the French Grand Prix, in 1923, was made right here in Wolverhampton, in Sunbeam’s Blakenhall factory, but it’s designer was a Frenchman, Louis Coatalen. He was a Breton, born on September 11, 1879, and worked for a number of French car manufacturers before arriving in England in 1900 to work for the Crowden Company, and then becoming chief engineer at Hillman in Coventry. In 1909 he was recruited by the Sunbeam Motor Car Co in Blakenhall, to be their chief engineer, and immediately planned to enter motor-racing. He began designing purposebuilt racing cars, which led to the first major triumph, a win in the 1912 Coupe de l’Auto in Dieppe, Sunbeams coming 1st, 2nd and 3rd, by Alec Brew eclipsing and astonishing the major European manufacturers. In 1912 Coatalen also designed his first aero-engine a 150hp side valve V8, followed by a 225 hp V12, which he first tested in a specially-built racing car named Toodles V. In October 1913, this car, at Brooklands, broke eight world endurance speed records in a hour and a half. There is no doubt that Coatalen was a talented, even brilliant engineer, but he was not afraid of copying others. Devious During 1913 Peugeot cars with twin overhead camshafts swept the board in three litre racing, and by some devious means one of these found its way to the drawing room of Coatalen’s home, Waverley House on Goldthorn Hill. Here, Sunbeam mechanics stripped it down to discover its secrets, and for 1914 Sunbeam also featured twin overhead camshafts, as did the new aero-engines he designed at the start of the War. Sunbeam was a major supplier of aeroengines during the War and also built more than 600 aircraft, including just one of its own design the single-engine Sunbeam Bomber. All the engines were officially called Sunbeam-Coatalen engines, but after the War they were rather eclipsed by Rolls-Royce and Napier designs. Coatalen turned to his great ambition, to win the French Grand Prix. The Sunbeam company merged with Darraq and Talbot and Coatalen became a Director of the resulting STD Motors. In 1923 a Sunbeam finally won the French Grand Prix, driven by Henry Seagrave, and would have won the following year but for technical problems. Coatalen also produced three different cars to break the World Land Speed Record but Sunbeam began to experience financial difficulties, and in 1934 closed down. By that time Louis Coatalen had returned to his native France, though he had taken British citizenship. He lived there through the War and died in 1962. He had brought great fame to the Sunbeam company, and to Wolverhampton, his adopted home for over 20 years. Louis Coatalen , then aged 33, in 1912 CAR OUR SERVICING £99 FROM ONLY Dudley Motor Company Trindle Road, Dudley 01384 454100 dudleymotorco.co.uk Halesowen Motor House Dudley Road, Halesowen 0121 462 2914 halesowenmotorhouse.co.uk Stourbridge Motor House High Street, Amblecote 01384 447 970 stourbridgemotorhouse.co.uk TWall Garages High Street, Pensnett 01384 672909 twall.co.uk
www.expressandstar.com/free-editions <strong>DUDLEY</strong> CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 2012 Page 25 Your festive viewing guide BEACON TAXIS BEACON TAXIS • Fast, Friendly and Reliable Service • Local and Long Distance Journeys • Offer 4-17 Seated Vehicles • Drivers NVQ/VRQ Qualified • Be Booked Be Insured • Airport Transport Specialists • Hospitals • Schools • Sporting Events • Weddings and Parties
Change language