Wolverhampton-made classic car celebrates local manufacturing

The collector's car was manufactured in Wolverhampton prior to World War Two – the model itself being produced between 1933 and 1934. Ninety-eight of them were built in two different forms, the running chassis model selling for £500 and the close-coupled two-door saloon for £745. The Sunbeam marque was registered by John Marston Co. Ltd of Wolverhampton in 1888. The company first made bicycles, then motorcycles and cars from the late 19th century until about 1936. Marstons even turned its hand to manufacturing 647 aircraft during the second world war and its Sunbeam car became the first British vehicle to win a Grand Prix race, going on to set a number of land speed records. The company went into receivership in 1935 and was purchased by the Rootes Group, which continued to use the Sunbeam marquee although little is left or known of the firm it absorbed. John Malcolm, founder and chairman of Malcolms Enamellers, who moved his company back to the Black Country having previously been in Coventry said: "The Black Country is where you can get anything made, the connections and firms here are the best in the world. Our firm traditionally operated in the same metal lacquering process as a 'Japanner' as was John Marston's company Sunbeam. The Sunbeam is making its appearance at the Made in the Midlands 2012 exhibition in Walsall.