The Sunbeam Tiger was developed when Rootes – maker of the Sunbeam Alpine – began pursuing a more powerful engine for the little car. After a few false starts, Carroll Shelby built a prototype at the behest of Ian Garrad, Rootes’ American sales manager. The concept was similar to Shelby’s Cobra, crafted about a year before Rootes came knocking. The “white car” began plying the streets of Los Angeles in 1963, with a Ford 260 cu. in. V8 packed into its diminutive engine bay. All this development work was undertaken without the approval of Lord Rootes. But it only took one drive to convince Rootes to move the car into production. The Tiger was shown to the world at the New York Motor Show in 1964. Only 7093 Tigers were built in two series through 1967. Today’s example is located in Belgrade, Maine; appropriately enough, this tip came to us courtesy of RichardinMaine – thanks!
The Tiger is based on a Sunbeam Alpine Series IV, altered by the addition of a Panhard rod in the rear and stiffer springs up front to carry the heavier engine. Other Tiger-specific alterations include an access hole in the driver’s footwell to service the #8 spark plug, placement of the battery in the rear of the car rather than the front, and rack and pinion steering. The 260 V8 manages 164 bhp, a zero to sixty time of 8.6 seconds, and a top speed of around 118 mph. The gearbox is a Ford four-speed manual. This car has been completely disassembled as we’ll see shortly, and there’s no word on its running condition before the tear-down. While the seller has included several photos of the car’s numbers – from VIN to body tags – “replica” Tigers have saturated the market, including several with restamped VINs. It’s best to find an expert to authenticate your prospective purchase. These folks can help.
A wood instrument panel graces the Tiger – an upgrade over the Alpine’s vinyl-covered metal dash providing partial justification for the car’s high price. A full suite of gauges always thrills me – but plan on restoring these, along with everything else in this cabin.
As mentioned, the car was disassembled and media blasted. The next challenge will be maintaining the cleanliness of the sheet metal, especially against the invasion of rust – which is already creeping into the body seams. If you’re up for the challenge of a deconstructed Tiger, this car is listed here on facebook Marketplace for $20,000. There’s no shortage of Tigers of all stripes for sale – Hemmings lists nineteen looking for new homes. Would you opt for a project, or wait for a running, driving Tiger?
I’ve had a few vehicle bodies and components acid dipped to bare metal. If you don’t follow up with rinsing, drying thoroughly and priming immediately you invite what you see happening in the body seams here. The first time that I had a body dipped, it wasn’t done properly and acid would still find its way out of seams for a long time afterwards. What a mess.
Same experience here. You have get on it immediately – I used to spray DP Primer/Sealer on acid dipped parts and bodies within minutes of getting them home. My shop dried the bodies adequately, but if yours doesn’t, that’s a big problem. I’ve also had bodies blasted, and the media can keep coming out of nooks and crannies forever. Thanks for the comment – brought up memories!
Unfortunately the demise of the Tiger was Rootes selling them to Chrysler who (of course) weren’t interested in continuing the car with Ford engines. Maybe they could’ve jammed a 318 into them, but…
318 wouldn’t fit
I worked with a fellow in the mid-seventies that had a Mark 2 with a 289. At the time, I thought it was a K code because it had solid lifters and was an absolute screamer. I later found out that all the Mark 2 289s were factory 200 horse 2 barrels, so his had been warmed up. One thing that I vividly remember was that little dude was quick!
Came with 260 until Mark 2. Never came with 271HP. Pretty scarry with how it came. Change directions with the throttle in a heartbeat.
That’s pretty much what I said. I knew it wasn’t a K code after talking with Bob, (the owne)
Chief, It’s Max!
Yeah but does include the steering wheel phone dial?
Cool car loves these but too many projects and not enough $$ to take this on
There is a guy that passes me on my way to work in a white one of these on sunny summer days and he is not afraid to whip on it I envy him every time he blows by me!!
Even stock, Tigers are a hoot to drive. I don’t believe that 118 mph top speed. My ’65 stock 260 sure sounded nice in the middle of the night on deserted Mississippi/Alabama highways, up around top speed. Too much traffic to do that now.
I don’t doubt that one bit. They are nifty little cars.
So were/are the Sunbeam Alpines; obviously not as fast but very nimble.
If this is not a clone where is the side chrome trim?
MR….good write up ! Had these on my list and even started buying up Alpine’s hoping to find a rust bucket Tiger – had 4 at one time. Thinned out that herd to 0 now and not going too buy any more. P.S. – I was a Get Smart kid too but I knew I’d never be able to afford a Cobra with all the ones I have.