Independence, MO
September 13-17, 2021
Sunbeams United International (SUNI) has been a tradition, usually every five years, attracting Sunbeam owners from all over North America and beyond. The most recent was held in 2014 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and was a tremendous success, with attendees coming from as far away as Florida, Atlanta and British Columbia.
A group of six Sunbeam owner clubs began last year exploring hosting SUNI VII: Tigers East/Alpines East, Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association, California Association of Tiger Owners, Colorado Association of Tiger Owners, the Pacific Tiger Club and the Sunbeam Alpine Owners Club of America.
An online survey was posted to gauge interest in a southwestern Missouri location near the middle of the country. Response was exceptionally positive, with many checking the “Can I sign up now?” box. This gave organizers confidence to begin planning.
In order to avoid conflicting with the proposed event, the clubs agreed to not hold customary annual events in 2021.
Cautious Optimism
We are optimistic that a gathering will be appropriate by September of this year. Some good news is that hotels and other venues are extremely eager for our business and are offering very attractive prices. And because auto enthusiast activities have been curtailed this year, interest in this SUNI should be stronger than ever.
Reduced crowds and traffic after Labor Day provide generally good weather in most of the country. Kansas City temperatures average high of 80 and a low of 58. Well past usual tornado season.
In order to appropriately reserve rooms and manage negotiated costs at the lowest rates, contracts were signed far in advance of the date. The six Sunbeam clubs agreed to share financial responsibility to make this event happen. This is a significant financial commitment and potential risk.
Please note:
Planning for this event is completely based on the assumption that by September of 2021, we will have been vaccinated and/or that it will be safe for seniors to travel by car to Independence, perhaps with some minor restrictions.
If it is not safe by then we will either reschedule or cancel.
If you register and pay and the event is canceled, your registration fee will be refunded. However, you will have to separately cancel you hotel reservation.
Five-day agenda: Monday thru Friday
To include Concours d’Elegance, hospitality suite, parts swap, driving tour, guest speakers, autocross, BBQ, award banquet and free time to explore the area or catch up with friends.
The schedule is posted here. Updates will be made as details are nailed down.
Hilton Garden Inn, Independence, Missouri
This location, in the Kansas City area, is central to the continental U.S. with major airport access, good food and attractions, and a roomy autocross site.
Hotel reservation info is available here.
Speakers and Attractions
Author/historian John Nikas, and former Rootes engineer Mike Jones are lined up as guest speakers. As in the past, overseas attendees from the U.K. and elsewhere are expected at this international gathering.
Attractions include Truman Library, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Steamboat Arabia Museum, Airline History and TWA Constellation Museum, Union Station, National Trails Museum, and, of course, K.C. barbecue.
Tickets to the Truman Library, the WWI Museum and the National Trails Museum are included with your event tickets.
Rally and Autocross
The Kansas City Metropolitan Community College runs an expansive vehicle dynamics, police and fire training facility, available for autocross, and provides cones, covered picnic tables and porta-johns. Plenty of country roads and byways around local lakes and along the Missouri River.