In 1926 the classic Sunbeam super sports model was taken for a test drive by a motoring journalist who stopped off at The Black Swan, Helmsley, for lunch.

And now keen motor enthusiast Paul Wignall intends to create this great journey with a group of his friends, travelling in two vintage vehicles.

One party will drive the exact same car as the one used more than 80 years ago while the other group will travel in a 1927 Sunbeam 16.9 saloon.

To ensure every aspect of the journey – which is taking place today – is as authentic as possible, The Black Swan’s award-winning chef Andrew Burton has come up with a special lunch menu similar to that served on the original trip.

The idea of recreating this classic journey was dreamed up by Mr Wignall, who is a vintage car enthus-iast and a member of the Sunbeam, Talbot and Darracq Register,

“We have a lot of archive material and our archivist came across the original report of this journey,” said Mr Wignall, 62, of Leyburn.

“And because it’s possible to recreate the whole of the route and also dine at The Black Swan like the original party did, I thought it would be a really good idea for us to try it.”

When Mr Wignall and his party arrive at The Black Swan they will be dining on yellow split pea and ham broth with a poached quail egg, poached fillet of sole, white wine and grapes which will followed by slow braised short rib of beef, potato puree, bacon and shallots.

For those who still have room, dessert will be Yorkshire curd tart and tapioca ice cream with coffee and sweet meats.

Renowned as a historic hotel which dates back to Tudor times, The Black Swan has retained all its unique features and its sense of history –although the party are unlikely to be paying the 3/6d that it cost for lunch in 1926.

The cars have also greatly increased in value as the original model cost the princely sum of £1,125 but now sell for around £120,000.

“The appeal of these cars is the challenge in driving them,” said Mr Wignall, who has owned his Sunbeam for the past 15 years.

“Modern cars are boring, anyone can drive them. With a car like this changing gear is a real art, they are a lot more difficult to drive.”

Although they won’t be wearing clothes from the era, the six strong party have been told to “dress accordingly” and so will be turning up for lunch in jackets and ties.

“We are delighted to be playing a part in the recreation of this classic journey,” said Simon Murphy, general manager of The Black Swan.

“The Black Swan has always been a popular place for lunch and over the decades it wasn’t unusual for people travelling around York-shire to ensure they had a stop-off here.

“Andrew has done a fantastic job of recreating the kind of menu that would have been popular at the time and I’m sure everyone involved will have a great day.”