The Dawn’s streamlined body was characterised by smooth curves and a distinctive front grille that embodied the ‘Art Deco’ style that was popular in the 1930s.

Sunbeam’s road and racing cars built a formidable reputation between the wars.

That reputation was principally based upon large, sporting cars that competed effectively with Bentley and Alvis, so Sunbeam’s introduction of a smaller model in 1934, was a risky move - despite a challenging post-depression market.

The Dawn was priced at £485; its advertising slogan was ‘The best of the better cars’.

It was an advanced design owing much to the larger Sunbeam 25 and was built to the company’s traditionally high standards.

The whole car was designed to have the drive and feel of the larger Sunbeams, and therefore featured independent front suspension by means of wishbones and a transverse leaf spring.

Other high-quality features were hydraulic brakes and centralised chassis lubrication.

Early cars were fitted with a Wilson pre-s...