Relatives of Wolverhampton workers on land-speed record car sought

The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu is trying to find the people in this picture and their families

Relatives of workers who helped build a car that broke the land speed record in 1927 are being sought for a museum initiative.

The Wolverhampton-built Sunbeam 1000hp was the first vehicle to top the 200mph milestone, at Daytona Beach in Florida.

The project is being run by the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, and restoration of the car has begun ahead of the record's 100th anniversary.

Campaigners hope to raise £300,000 for the project.

The two-tonne car was built at Sunbeam's Wolverhampton works and managed to hit a top speed of 203.792mph.

The motor museum has so far been able to track down the family of Joseph Anslow, who was its chief bodyworker.

Joseph Anslow's grandson John Cooper has recreated the original photograph

It is hoped that at the end of the restoration, the team will be able to return to the spot where it broke the land speed record in the US.

Amanda Pettit, Mr Anslow's great-granddaughter, emailed the museum when she saw a picture of him pushing the car, nicknamed "The Slug", out of the factory that was published to launch an appeal for funds to help restore the car.

'Uncover memories'

The 61-year-old said: "The Sunbeam project became [Joseph's] life and he was immensely proud of it. I think he was sad to see it go when it left the factory."

Museum chief executive Jon Murden, said: "We'd love to hear from any families of those involved in building the 1000hp back in 1926 and 1927.

"The museum exists to tell the story of motoring, and family memories can really add a personal touch to something that has such an important place in our national heritage. We'd love to uncover and record memories before they fade."