Ex-John 'Bob' Campbell Lowe, 1927 Sunbeam 498cc Model 90

• Known ownership history from new
• Purchased for use in long-distance trials
• Many factory-fitted special features
• Well known in Sunbeam Club circles
• Exceptionally comprehensive history file (perusal essential)

A 1927 model first registered on 3rd December 1926 to John Marston Ltd, this quite remarkable Sunbeam Model 90 was built to special order for John 'Bob' Campbell Lowe for use in the popular long-distance trials of the period. The original invoice from John Marston Ltd is on file, as is the purchase invoice for the 1923 Sunbeam 3½hp he part exchange with Model 90. The 1923 '3½' had been used extensively in competition, and the wonderful scrapbook on file largely covers his career with that machine. The total cost was £83 18s, taking into account the £50 trade in for the 3½hp.

Bob Lowe competed in numerous trials - including several London-Edinburgh events - of which the 1928 trial is documented on file with press photographs. The history file is quite extraordinary in its scope; in fact, Bonhams has never seen another one like it. While we cannot state that they are all present, there is a quantity of original route cards and paperwork in the file, all carefully preserved and looking as if they came off the bike yesterday. The original buff logbook is there too.

Because of its intended trials use, the Model 90 was specified from new with some slightly more 'practical' features such as the lighting set, full chain guard, low-ratio sidecar gearing, rear carrier, fully valanced front mudguard: all features not commonly fitted to the 'standard' and more sporting Model 90 of 1927. The following special features were noted:

Magdyno
Chain case(s)
Carrier
Twist grip
Ghost silencers
Special pipes
Bonniksen speedometer

In February 1927 the exhaust pipes were returned to the works complete with lead patterns to be remade to Bob Lowe's upswept design. These are still on the machine.

It would appear that Bob Lowe finished competing on the Sunbeam in 1933 (there is an invoice on file for an engine overhaul in April 1933) in favour of more modern machinery, mainly Royal Enfields. It was recommissioned for and ridden on the 50th Anniversary London-Edinburgh Trial in 1954 (there is a 1954 tax disc on the machine and a 1954 insurance document on file). Bob Lowe also made an appearance in the 1962 Lands End Trial but on a more modern machine: a brand new Royal Enfield Crusader.

Bob Lowe passed away in 1968 and his widow Doris - also a former motorcycle competition rider and a former Vice-President of the Auto-Cycle Union - kept the Sunbeam before entrusting it in 1975 to VMCC member and well known trials rider Bill Price of Luton, who partially restored the machine, becoming its registered keeper. 'YR 8297' was seen regularly on VMCC Chiltern Section events and the Banbury Run, and was displayed on the VMCC stand at the 1979 Earls Court show. When Bill Price died, Mrs Lowe continued to permit enthusiasts the occasional ride (including Baz Stapples of the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club). It would seem that the '90' remained in her possession until 1997 when it was acquired by John E Davis. Mr Davis would seem to have completed some more restoration work, the forks being overhauled by Percival Bros & Webb in 1989. Mr Alan Spindler completed the restoration work after he acquired the Sunbeam in May 2000. Within a few years he found that he was no longer riding the machine and sold it via Verralls in February 2006 to its late owner, Chris Pile, a well known Sussex VMCC member.

The original saddle is with the machine, the one fitted (an Eckie Spring saddle) having been recovered in recent times, no doubt for comfort's sake. The original headlamp too is with the machine, which still has the original magdyno.

The aforementioned file also contains old/current V5C documents, and old V5, and old MoTs. Also included are a selection of trophies and awards from Lowe's career, the earliest dating from 1921. These include the 1927 High Speed Trial, 1927 London-Lands End, and – importantly - the 1927 London-Edinburgh Gold Medal. Also, the Sunbeam MCC 1927 President's Cup and Sunbeam MCC 1927 Yeovil Team Captain's Cup.

Articles on file include one from the October 1977 Motor Cycle: 'Was this the first Enduro machine?'; November 1985 The Classic MotorCycle: 'The 'Beam with the Upswepts' by Bob Currie; and 'The Way it Was - Pete Plummer rides a 1926 Sunbeam Model 90'.

Of the 24 1927 Model 90s known to the MSC&R (and 24 1928 Model 90s), this one is the second earliest 'Bullnose' recorded in the Marston Sunbeam Register. An unmissable opportunity for the Sunbeam enthusiast. Key not required.
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