1955 Sunbeam Gents Light Tourist

1955 Sunbeam Model W3 Gents Light Tourist

Sunbeam is well known as the Rolls Royce of the bicycle world.

This particular example is the bicycle equivalent of finding an old ‘roller’ locked away in a garage after 30 years …a time-warp.

It’s in fabulous original condition.

Why does an unrestored vintage vehicle in original condition sets our pulses racing?

An old bicycle has grace, beauty and character.

 A well-preserved vehicle is as glorious as a well-preserved person. How often do we say ‘Doesn’t he (or she) look good for their age?’
Maybe it’s the idea of cheating old father time that appeals to us?

Perhaps it gives us hope?

1955 was the final year for the old-style Sunbeam catalogue:

in 1957, Raleigh took over BSA, which included Sunbeam, and the famous badge was soon used to decorate children’s cycles and toys.

Sunbeam described their postwar range as ‘classics.’

Though no longer the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the cycle world by the 1950s, with its valanced mudguard and Oilbath chainguard,

this is nevertheless a well-appointed machine and undoubtedly one of the last ‘classic’ Sunbeams.

This example has been very well preserved, being stored for many years. I’m not sure why it was fitted with a Sturmey Archer 3-speed instead of a BSA hub. The gear trigger is on the left handlebar rather than the right.

This style of valanced mudguard was introduced for the 1955 season.