The thunderous roar of history is set to return to Daytona Beach as the iconic Sunbeam 1000hp, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Slug,’ prepares for a centenary celebration of its greatest achievement. The National Motor Museum has confirmed that the land-speed legend is scheduled to make a historic commemorative run on March 29, 2027, marking exactly 100 years since Sir Henry Segrave etched his name into the record books.
On that fateful day in 1927, Segrave became the first human to pilot a motor vehicle at speeds exceeding 200mph, a feat that transformed automotive engineering and captured the imagination of the world. Now, as the centenary approaches, a dedicated team of engineers from the National Motor Museum has completed a meticulous three-year restoration project to return the formidable machine to full working order.
The restoration was a feat of mechanical archaeology. At the heart of the project was the revival of the car’s two massive 22.5-litre Matabele V12 aero engines. These powerplants, which had sat silent for decades, required painstaking effort to bring back to life. The success of this endeavor was proven earlier this year during the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. In a moment that stunned automotive enthusiasts, both V12 engines were fired up in public for the first time in more than 95 years, filling the air with the unmistakable, visceral sound of 1920s land-speed racing.
Following its acclaimed appearance at Pebble Beach, ‘The Slug’ was transferred to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where it has been on display, allowing the public a close-up look at the engineering marvel that defined an era.
Preparations are now shifting to the logistical challenge of transporting the fragile, historic relic back to its spiritual home in Florida. The upcoming 2027 run will serve as more than just a tribute to Sir Henry Segrave; it represents a triumph of preservation, showcasing the raw mechanical ingenuity that allowed pioneers to push the boundaries of velocity a century ago.
“The work that has gone into bringing this vehicle back to life cannot be overstated,” said a spokesperson for the restoration team. “To hear those engines fire up again is to hear history breathing. We are incredibly honored to take this machine back to Daytona for such a significant milestone.”
As the automotive world looks toward March 2027, the return of the Sunbeam 1000hp to the sands of Daytona is expected to draw spectators from across the globe, serving as a powerful reminder of a time when the pursuit of speed was a daring, high-stakes adventure into the unknown.
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