The car was designed by Captain Jack Irving, having new features such as all-enveloping bodywork that assisted aerodynamics.

Only weeks before the record attempt, it was speculated that J. G. Parry-Thomas had been decapitated when a similar chain in his car Babs had broken at speed.

Later investigation of the recovered wreckage suggested instead that the rear right-hand wheel had failed, overturning Babs.

Although the Sunbeam's chains were enclosed below an armoured steel housing, these covers had been designed from the beginning, they were not added after Parry-Thomas' accident.

The Sunbeam 1000 HP was the first non-American car to run on Daytona Beach for a land speed record attempt.