Classic car built in Wolverhampton has roared once more

On July 21, 1925, Sir Malcolm Campbell reached a speed of 150mph in his 350hp Sunbeam at Pendine Sands, South Wales. In doing so he became the first person to travel at that speed.

And this week, his grandson Don Wales got behind the wheel of the car as a crowd of hundreds witnessed the classic 22ft supercar zip once more as he completed a low-speed demonstration run.

The event was organised by the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, where mechanics spent more than 2,000 hours restoring just the engine.

And at this week's run, although the 18.3-litre vehicle was not fully let off the leash, the car known as Blue Bird still possessed its distinctive roar.

Mr Wales, who even wore the same style clothing as Sir Malcolm, said: "It's quite incredible to think that 90 years ago today my grandfather achieved 150mph in this machine.

"To even sit in the car is something special, let alone drive it.

"I think if he were alive today he would probably be on my shoulder saying 'go on son, put your foot down more', because he was driven by speed.

"It's a fantastic machine and feeling the wind in your hair was something else."

The car was manufactured in 1922 at the Sunbeam Motor Company's Moorfield Works in Upper Villiers Street, Wolverhampton and its power came from a modified 18.322-litre V12 modified Manitou Arab aero engine.

The Sunbeam, renamed Blue Bird by Sir Malcolm, took three world land-speed records, the first by Kenelm Lee Guinness at Brooklands in 1922 with a speed of 133.75mph.

Sir Malcolm then bought the car, had it painted in his distinctive colour scheme and in September 1924 achieved a new record of 146.16mph at Pendine, raising it the following year to 150.76mph.

The car was later sold and passed through a number of owners but was in poor condition when it was purchased by Lord Montagu in 1957 for his expanding motor museum.

Doug Hill, the museum's manager and chief engineer, said everyone connected with the Blue Bird was delighted to be able to celebrate its achievements.

He added: "Having spent over 2,000 hours on the engine alone, this low speed commemorative demonstration run is a fitting tribute both to the team of engineers at the museum involved in its restoration and to the original creators of the car."