The name Carroll Shelby is linked to high-performance classics, but perhaps his greatest achievement was squeezing Ford V8 engines into relatively small and modest British sports cars to create vehicles with acceleration to match their looks. Thus, the AC Ace became the Cobra, and the Sunbeam Alpine morphed into the Tiger. Both are now highly-sought vehicles, even if time has taken a toll on some of them. Such is the case with this 1966 Tiger. The seller admits that it requires a total restoration, and the only way to do so would be to dismantle the car to the last nut and bolt. Critically, it retains its original drivetrain components, making a faithful approach viable. The seller has listed the Tiger here on Craigslist in Pittsburg, Kansas. You could take it home after handing them $12,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Zappenduster for spotting this rare Roadster.

It is easy to forget that while Carroll Shelby developed the Tiger that would eventually reach production, Sunbeam engaged a second individual to prove the concept. Shelby was handed an Alpine and a budget of $10,000 to produce his prototype in eight weeks, but legendary driver and engineer Ken Miles completed his in around a week for a mere $800. Both cars proved the concept as sound, and after sampling the Shelby version, Lord Rootes signed off the project for production. Our feature Tiger emerged from the Jensen factory in West Bromwich, England, in 1966. The first owner selected Forest Green paint to cover its panels, which is the equivalent of the company’s British Racing Green. The seller purchased the car in 2015, planning a faithful restoration. Sadly, this stalled before it could start, and with the realization that it would never happen under their watch, they decided to send the car to a new home. Little is known about its history, but the photos confirm the presence of rust requiring attention. It has chewed its way through the rockers, has attacked some of the remaining lower extremities, and made a feast of the floors. Dismantling the Tiger entirely is the only alternative to eliminate these issues. The good news is that there are companies in Canada and the UK that manufacture floors to order to the factory specifications. A complete set would cost around $1,200 but would be money well spent.

I sometimes wonder whether I have reached the age where using the word “eww” is wrong, but it seems the most appropriate when assessing this Tiger’s interior. The seats are intact, as are the gauges, but I can’t fathom what has happened to the dash. The seller states that they have no idea, but it is another aspect of this car requiring serious work. A quick online search located a replacement Burl Walnut dash, gauge lenses, and a trim kit. This aspect of the build will leave no change from $2,500, although a higher figure is possible if the wiring and switches are beyond salvation.

The secret to this Sunbeam is the work performed by Shelby and other individuals to transform the donor Alpine into the Tiger. The Alpine’s 1,725cc four generated 100hp and 110 ft/lbs of torque. It delivered a ¼-mile ET of 18.1 seconds and a top speed of 99mph, with both figures typical of British sports cars from this era. The Tiger was a different beast altogether. The word “shoehorned” seems appropriate, because the 260ci Ford V8 squeezes under the hood with barely an inch to spare. It would have sent 164hp and 258 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed Top Loader transmission. The Alpine’s performance figures were respectable, but this car would have left it eating its dust. The ¼-mile journey took 16 seconds, while the top speed rose to 119mph. One of the attractions of the drivetrain configuration was the ready availability of parts that allowed owners to squeeze more power from the V8 fairly cheaply. It was possible to transform these cars into brutal animals without spending a fortune. This Tiger doesn’t run, and it is unclear whether the engine turns freely, but those contemplating a faithful restoration will welcome the news that the Sunbeam retains its numbers-matching drivetrain components.

Returning this 1966 Sunbeam Tiger to its former glory won’t be for the faint-hearted, because every aspect of this classic requires significant attention. However, with only 7,067 of these cars rolling off the line during the production run, the relative rarity and this Tiger’s numbers-matching status seem to justify the effort and expense. A high-end restoration would easily yield a value above $50,000, while perfection could push that figure well beyond $70,000. That makes this British pocket rocket worth a close look.