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Sunbeam Tiger

Sunbeam Tiger

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Sunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam Tiger
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Sunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam Tiger
Sunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam TigerSunbeam Tiger
Lot number 176
Hammer value N/S (est. £34,000 - £36,000)
Description Sunbeam Tiger
Registration SRH 112B
Year 1964
Colour Red
Engine size 4,261 cc
Chassis No. B9470404LRXFE
Engine No. 1484 L2KA

A muscle car version of the Sunbeam Alpine Roadster, the Sunbeam Tiger was conceived on the West Coast of America, inspired by the success of the AC Cobra – the result of inserting a small-block American V8 engine into the British designed AC Ace.

Rootes American Motors Inc. saw the potential for performing a similar operation on the stylish but rather pedestrian Sunbeam Alpine, replacing its humble 1.5-litre four with a big Yankee V8.

Carroll Shelby was hired to develop the prototype and Ford’s 4,261cc (260Ci) 'Windsor' unit was soon tucked under the bonnet which radically transformed the character of the car. The basic layout of the Alpine was retained; the car featuring independent suspension with coil springs at the front and a live rear axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. The 164bhp engine endowed the car with a top speed of around 120mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of under eight seconds, leading Tigers to enjoy success in both racing and rallying over the years.

Codenamed ‘Thunderbolt’, it was developed without the knowledge of Lord Rootes. When he found out he got ‘very grumpy’ by all accounts, although had the good sense to get a prototype shipped to Coventry and was deeply impressed with the car when it arrived.

Shelby had envisaged assembling them in America as he had done with the AC Cobras, however Rootes opted to pay him a royalty on each unit and use West Bromwich based Jensen for manufacture as they had spare capacity having just ceased their Volvo P1800 assembly contract.

Just 20% heavier, yet twice as powerful as the Alpine on which it was based, it maintained a respectable 52% front, 48% rear weight distribution so retained the excellent handling characteristics associated with its smaller engined sibling. US dealers were soon offering engine upgrades to 245bhp - but that’s for another day.

A total of some 7,085 Sunbeam Tigers were eventually produced, including 536 of the now very rare 4.7-litre Mk2 versions which arrived in 1967. The final cars rolled off the lines in 1968, production being shelved when Chrysler took over the Rootes Group, their new bosses unable to sanction a car powered by their arch-rivals Ford.

This super example dates from the first year of production and was built in LHD form and shipped straight to America.

In 1984 it was acquired by Mr K Harvey, a senior manager at the Dupont Paint Finishing Company. He was to own it for the next 30 years, treating his straight and original example to a top-class respray (well he would wouldn’t he) a number of years ago.

Reputed to have been fitted with a high-ratio final-drive, it was upgraded with an Edlebrock Manifold and Holley carburettor before being repatriated to the UK late last year. Treated to a thorough recommissioning, a stainless exhaust, new hood and fresh battery have been added, the car now wearing the age related number SRH 112B. All duties have been paid and the car is MOTd until April 2016.

The sight of the mighty Tiger Le Mans Coupe at the front of the grid at recent Goodwood events has no doubt helped their profile of late, a huge increase in the general interest and respect for the model having taken place over the last few years. Get one while you can.

 

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