1937 Sunbeam Model 6 Lion, 492cc. Registration number 509 UX...

Hammer

£6,300

1937 Sunbeam Model 6 Lion, 492cc. Registration number 509 UXP (non transferrable). Frame number 2004. Engine number 19.538.0.179.
Sunbeam’s famous ‘longstroke’ 500cc sidevalve engine first appeared at the 1921, this remarkable engine remaining in production right up until WW2. A version of it powered the new-for-1931 Model 6 Lion. Introduced in the summer of 1930, the revamped Lion replaced the old Model 6 and featured the innovations - for Sunbeam - of a chromium-plated fuel tank and Webb-pattern girder forks. A 598cc Model 7 Lion joined the range the following year and the two sidevalve workhorses continued in production - surviving Sunbeam’s 1937 sale to AMC, relocation of production to Plumstead and the axing of the rest of the traditional models - until the outbreak of WW2.
UXP was originally registered as CFM 639 (not recorded with DVLA) and between 1954-57 was taxed in Cheshire being owned by Edmund Chaloner of Chester. At some point the engine was changed to the current one (please note the V5C has the engine listed as A39507).
The Sunbeam Register have it recorded as #2528. It is recorded as a 1937 Model 6 Lion and goes on to note that it was first registered on 25th March 1938, which is possibly why it is assumed to be a 1938 machine; that said, the frame number fits with the general sequence of 1938 machines, but not the Model 6 Lion which as far as a factory catalogued model, was discontinued after 1937, so in short, it probably should be classed as a 1937 machine.
No registration number is currently recorded on the Register, although there is a note to say that the "previous reg. was CFM 639. Eng. no. A39507 on V5." 19 538 0 179 is recorded as the engine number on the Register, but there is a note to say that this is a 1936 engine number. Other information recorded is that it has a Burman 4 speed gearbox with foot change, an AMAL carburettor and a Lucas M01 magneto.
Our vendor bought it in 2019 and has regularly used it, in fact it was ridden to the saleroom for the photo shot and then to be left for the auction.
Sold with the V5C and R.F.60 this Lion is a well sorted machine ready for use.