The first owner was João Gonçalves Henriques, who won it in the early 1950s at the Póvoa de Varzim Casino, on the mainland, and who then took the car on a trip to Sweden.
He then brought it to Madeira.
While in the hands of the previous owner, Rui Cirilo has his first contact with the car and saw that it was in need of restoration.
He confesses that he liked it a lot, for its line, characteristics and, in particular, for its beauty.
According to him, in the 80s, another great enthusiast of classic cars, João Augusto de Sousa, happened to see the car Funchal, in a pitiful state. It belonged to a friend of him, who, after years of persuasion, decided to give it to him.
The restoration of the vehicle thus began, completed by the current owner, who maintains it in perfect condition.
During the restoration process, every part of the wooden structure was carried out by a master who worked on boats. The metal parts, which covered the wooden structure, and the mudguards, were recovered from the old Leacock workshops.
This was a very advanced car at the time, with its very effective 16-inch diameter brakes standing out, 4-speed gearbox, more comfortable suspension as well as isolation from the noise of the pavement and the exhaust itself, for the convenience of the passengers.
The production of this vehicle started in September 1939. Production was interrupted by the Second World War, but restarted in 1945, extending until 1948.
With a 2L 56 hp cylinder capacity, it has a 4-cylinder in-line engine, mounted in a longitudinal position at the front, with an inverted carburettor Stromberg D.B.A. 36.
It weighs 1,200 kgs and has a top speed of 110 km/h.
The light and indicator commands were incorporated into the steering wheel, considered an invention at the time.
Interestingly, one day, while conversing, an English couple mentioned to Rui Cirilo Silva that he had worked at the Sunbeam Talbot factory when he was young. And, not hiding his emotion, he said he had never thought of finding a car produced in that factory on an island so far away in the middle of the Atlantic.
The Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre is an automobile manufactured by Sunbeam-Talbot in the United Kingdom from 1939 to 1948. It was available in 4-light sports sedan version, quartet drophead coupé and 4-seat sport tourer body style, as well as a 2-seater sports car. Production was suspended due to World War II and resumed in 1945.
The 2 Litre made use of the styling and chassis of the Sunbeam-Talbot Ten with a wheelbase 3½ inches longer than the Ten. It was fitted with the 1944cc four-cylinder side-valve engine from the Hillman 14, which produced 52 hp in its original form, with latter post-war improvements increasing power to 56 hp. The 2 Litre was fitted with Lockheed hydraulic brakes.
1,306 units of the 2 Litre were produced in 1948, being then replaced by the Sunbeam-Talbot 90.
Datasheet
Year: 1947
Brand: Sunbeam Talbot
Model: Open Tourer 2 Litre
Country: England
License plate: SN-11-46
Engine: 1.944cc
Gearbox:4