The Sunbeam Tiger is a high-performance V8 version of the British Rootes Group‘s Sunbeam Alpine roadster, designed in part by American car designer and racing driver Carroll Shelby and produced from 1964 until 1967. Shelby had carried out a similar V8 conversion on the AC Cobra, and hoped to be offered the contract to produce the Tiger at his facility in the United States. Rootes decided instead to contract the assembly work to Jensen at West Bromwich in England, and pay Shelby a royalty on every car produced.
This Sunbeam Tiger,B9473202- Built April 1 1965; titled from new as a ’66 (as was the original Rootes dealers’ annual custom for any cars sold after the newest models were introduced.) Meticulously restored from an original, unmolested Florida car. Fanatical attention to both detail and function. Very rare “cross-over” body JAL562772 (blends features of both the Mk1 and Mk1A). Most agree that the car is aesthetically stunning with its seldom seen combination of dark blue body color (not the original color), black leather, and black canvas. All matching numbers original drivetrain. Original 260 V8 has been precision balanced and carefully massaged for performance, drivability, and durability while still maintaining its highly-prized authenticity. Staggered 15” Panasports shod with modern high-performance rubber (original wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, and correct NOS vintage Michelin 5.90-13 radials also included.) Also fitted are carefully chosen, highly desirable upgrades such as vintage Konis, proper stainless exhaust, 4-row copper/brass radiator, custom high-tech (Porterfield Racing) brake linings, PerTronix, and even a genuine SU points-less conversion inside the original fuel pump. Runs strong, sounds great, stays cool, stops great, and is not at all fussy or temperamental. This is a very well sorted car and the prior owner had driven it on a trouble-free 1400 mile weekend “road trip”! Even has the original tool kit with all the “impossible-to-find” original Tiger-specific tools! Only three owners from new with one owner for first 32 years of the cars existance. Show with pride and drive with confidence which is hard for some of the classic cars. The car has been TAC certified so you can be sure it started life as a Tiger. Overall, a very nice above driver quality car.
Walk around and driving video is below.
The car is sold. Thx for everyone’s comments and bidding.
$57,500 bid placed by Mustang05
Not a buyer for this car but I will say it again, size matters. These go back to the heritage of a small, light size with the punch of a V-8 driving the wheels. Looks like a beautiful example here. GLWA
Had the pleasure of seeing this one in person, absolutely stunning! Gotta love hearing that v8 coming from such a tiny car, definitely a head turner
These are very fun little cars with tons of power, sound great and are great little drivers with their light weight. This looks like a nice example although the original color would drive the price up.
I saw this car last year at the Palos Verdes Concours and it is a very nice car and although not the original color it presents very well.
Very fun car to drive with some good power. Looks like a beautiful car.