1965 Sunbeam Tiger MK1

The Anglo-American sports car, made successful by Carroll Shelby and the AC Cobra, was a well-established concept by the time the Rootes Group began building a V8-powered derivative of its Tiger sports car. Mr. Shelby was involved in developing the initial prototype for Sunbeam, installing a Ford small-block V8 engine into the small bonnet. The first Tigers were given the 260 cubic-inch V8 engine and mated to a four-speed Top Loader transmission. The chassis was modified to cope with the increase in power. Rack and pinion steering was added, the suspension revised, and the bodyshells were stiffened. Jensen of West Bromwich, who was already building their own Anglo-American GT cars - was subcontracted to build the Tiger.

The British manufacturer Rootes introduced the Sunbeam Alpine Series I in 1959 and quickly realized it was in need of more power if it were to compete in the world markets. Lacking a suitable engine and without the resources to develop one, they turned to Ferrari to redesign the standard inline-four engine. Negotiations were promising at first, but eventually failed. The idea was revisited several years later, this time with a proposed Ford V8.

In the early 1960s, Formula 1 champion Jack Brabham suggested to Rootes competition manager Norman Garrad that the engine bay of the Alpine may be a suitable contender to house a Ford V8 engine. The idea was circulated to Garrad's son Ian, then the West Coast Sales Manager of Rootes American Motors Inc. Shelby American had success with the AC Cobra conversion, encouraging Ian to send his service manager Walter McKenzie to visit the local new car dealerships and acquire a Ford V8. He returned with a Ford 260 cubic-inch engine which weighed 440 pounds, and the same powerplant initially fitted into the Shelby Cobra. Since Ian lived near Carroll Shelby's operation, he was able to get Mr. Shelby's advice on how to make the idea a reality.

Putting the powerful Ford engine in the bay required updating many of the mechanical components, including the transmission, suspension, and brakes. To expedite the process, Ian commissioned racing driver and fabricator Ken Miles to build a prototype. This project had a budget of approximately $800 and included a Series II Alpine, a two-speed automatic transmission, and a Ford V8 engine. Another prototype, this one approved by Brian Rootes, head of sales for the Rootes Group, had a $10,000 budget and Shelby's input. The Miles prototype was given a week to complete while the Shelby prototype had eight weeks. Shelby began work on the 'white car' prototype, provisionally known as the Thunderbolt, in April of 1963 and was completed by the end of the month. Unlike Miles's prototype, Shelby's used a Ford four-speed manual transmission.

Lord Rootes tested the Shelby prototype in July of 1963 and was so impressed, that he contacted Henry Ford II directly to secure a shipment of Ford V8 engines. He ordered 3,000 engines as that was the number of Tigers expected to sell in the first year.

The 1964 New York Motor Show was selected for the unveiling of the production-ready Tiger. It had gone from prototype to production-ready in just eight months, much shorter than the typical three to four years needed by the company to bring an idea to production. The production Tiger was approximately twenty-percent heavier than the Alpine and was twice as powerful. The larger engine required suspension modifications and the replacement of the Burman recirculating ball steering mechanisms with a more modern rack and pinion setup.

Shelby was optimistic about receiving the production contract for the Tiger, but Rootes ultimately decided to build the car themselves in England. Since they did not have the capacity to build the Tiger, they contracted the job to Jensen in West Bromwich. Jensen's contract for the Volvo P1800 had recently been canceled, so the timing was favorable.

When the V8-powered Tiger was first offered for sale in the United States in 1964, it brought the performance to a new level to the relatively pedestrian Alpine. It was appropriately named 'Tiger' in honor of Rootes' own 1925 Land Speed Record car and made available the next year in right-hand drive form. The top speed was in the neighborhood of 200 km/h and zero-to-sixty took just over nine seconds. The Riger nearly won the SCCA B/Production National Championship in 1966, and it was a fierce drag racer, taking the 1965 AHRA National Championship in its class.

Pressed Steel in Oxfordshire provided the painted and trimmed bodies, Ford provided the engines and gearboxes, and Jensen assembled the vehicles. Until Ford was able to resolve supply issues with its transmission, the early Tigers received a Borg-Warner four-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. The 260 cubic-inch V8 used a single Ford two-barrel carburetor and offered 164 horsepower. Some dealerships offered modified versions with up to 245 horsepower.

The front suspension was independent with coil springs while the rear used a live axle and semi-elliptic springs. Stopping power was courtesy of Girling-manufactured 9.85-inch disc brakes at the front and 9-inch drums at the rear.

The Tiger was built in two distinct series through 1968, with approximately 6,495 examples of the MK I (including the MK I and MK IA). Production of the MKI was also roughly divided between those with convertible top metal covers and those with a vinyl top boot.

A revised Mark II model was introduced in 1967, bringing with it a larger 289 cubic-inch V8 with an increase of compression of 9.3:1, up from 8.8:1 of the smaller block. Additional modifications included an engine-oil cooler, upgraded valve springs, modifications to the rear axle, wider ratio transmission, a larger single dry plate hydraulically operated clutch, and an alternator replacing the previous dynamo. Modifications to the exterior included a modified radiator grille, the removal of the headlamp cowls, and speed stripes (replacing the chrome strips) traversing the bodyside.

When Chrysler took a controlling interest in Sunbeam in 1968, the Tiger was hastily dropped and production came to an end.

During the production lifespan of the Tiger, Sunbeam produced 6,495 examples of the Mark I and Mark IA, and 571 examples of the Mark II.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster

The Sunbeam Tiger is a British classic sports car made by Rootes Group, England. In 1964 Carroll Shelby was hired to remove the 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine and replace it with a small block Ford V8, similar to the transformation of the AC Cobra. Unfortunately in 1967, Chrysler purchased the Rootes Group and they were not pleased that their most popular sports car, the 'Sunbeam Tiger' was powered by Ford engines. Production ended in 1967 with a total production of less than 7,000. The MKI Sunbeam Tiger, which this is one of, was first built in 1964 and delivery began in 1965.

This Tiger was originally delivered to Cincinnati. The first owner successfully rallied this car in the local sports car activities. This car was purchased from the original owners in 2004.

Sport Roadster

Sunbeam is of British manufacture and became part of Rootes Group in 1935. The Alpine name was introduced in 1953. The coachwork was re-designed in 1959 with the introduction of the all new Series I and the Alpine would see five Series before production ceased in early 1968.

The concept of the Tiger is attributed to Carroll Shelby when asked to build a prototype. The chassis and body platform is that of a Series III Alpine and drivetrain is a small block Ford developing about 275 horsepower. The Alpine was discontinued with Chryslers' purchase of Rootes Group in 1967 and inability to fit a bigger Chrysler engine in the car.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9470233
Engine number: 1269-C13KA

The Sunbeam Tiger was not a new idea; it was a concept that had been well practiced for many years. The Tiger was powered by a high-horsepower American powerplant in a British body. Jack Brabham, who had campaigned Sunbeam Alpine cars with much success in the fall of 1962, suggested a Ford V8 engine should be installed in the Alpine. The work was handled by Carroll Shelby, who selected a 260 cubic-inch Ford Fairlane small-block V8, and installed it in the small engine bay of the Alpine. A prototype car was put on display in April 29, 1963. The car featured a stout anti-sway bar and a transmission that had been modified by hot rodder Doane Spencer. After 40,000 miles of testing, the project was pitched to company head Lord Rootes.

This Tiger Mark I was one of the first 250 examples to roll of the assembly line of contractor Jensen Motors. The car has a removable hardtop and the original engine has been bored and stroked to increase its displacement to 289 cubic-inches. The car now has a top speed of 122 mph and a zero-to-sixty time in just over eight seconds.

The car has been given an extensive restoration that included a complete rebuild of the car's engine and transmission. The car has period-correct black carpets and upholstery, and a dark-blue paint scheme. The car has accumulated only 38,000 miles.

In 2010, this Sunbeam was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $75,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $44,000, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster

The Sunbeam Alpine was an attractive but anemic British roadster produced by the Rootes Group. Needing a quick performance boost, they looked for an American V8 to stuff in the engine bay. Being already affiliated with Chrysler, the first choice was the Mopar 273. Unfortunately it did not fit so the Tiger was always powered by a Ford V8, first the 260 and then the legendary 289.

Other modifications were necessitated to deal with the additional power and weight. Rack-and-pinion steering was fitted, the chassis was braced and a Ford-supplied four speed transmission was standard.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9470960 LRX FE

The Rootes Group, which owned the Hillman, Humber, Singer and Sunbeam, and Commer (truck) brands, built 7,085 Tigers between 1964 and 1967 in the Jensen Motors' West Bromwich, UK assembly plant. Simply put, the Tiger is a Series IV, then Series V, Sunbeam Alpine with a Ford 260, then 289 cubic-inch, Windsor V8 motor replacing the Rootes 1.6-liter, inline 4-cylinder. All the idea of West Coast Sales Manager, Ian Garrad and Western Service Manager, Walter McKenzi, inspired by one Carroll Shelby and his Cobra, the Tiger is now highly sought after although it was a hard sell when current. When Chrysler bought Rootes they quite the program.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9471153 LRX FE

Rootes Motors produced just over 7000 Tigers in nearly five years, and when sold to Chrysler, the model was quickly axed as much for poor sales as the fact it sourced its motor from Ford and had no suitable replacement. Chrysler's own small-block V8 had the distributor at the wrong end.....so it would not fit. But today these now rare cars are treasured with some intensity. In 1965 one Tiger advertisement bragged 'Art Arfons...world's fastest sports car for $3,499.' An interesting and ambitious claim, of course. Sunbeam's Alpine MkIV sold over 12,000 units at $2,399 in the USA in 1964 through 1966.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9472738 HROFE
Engine number: JAL 562296

This 1964 Sunbeam Tiger was built by the UK-based Alan Fraser Racing Team for the 1966 club racing season. Bernard Unett was recruited to pilot the car, and it was his #9 Lister-bodied Tiger coupe that donated its lightweight aluminum doors, hood, and trunk lid, as well as the rear suspension, to this 1965 Tiger. Additionally, it rides on Dunlop magnesium wheels, and has flared fenders and an aluminum hardtop. Equipped with a potent Ford V-8, this car was nicknamed the 'Monster.'

Competing in the 1966 UK club racing scene, this Sunbeam and its driver, Unett, achieved first in class and second overall in both the Autosport and Freddie W. Dixon Championships. The following year, the car was sent to the Canary Islands, where it was driven by Peter Harper through 1968 and later sold to the Equipo HH racing team.

Following several years of racing in Spain, the car was acquired by Ken Dalziel in the UK. Chris Gruys acquired the Sunbeam in 1982 and would be its caretaker for the next 38 years. While in Gruys's care, the Monster was returned to racing form, though it still retained the lightweight aluminum doors and rear suspension sourced from the Le Mans coupe.

In 1998, the car was refinished its present blue and white Scottish-themed livery by Steve Alcala and Dan Walters. The car originally housed a 289 cubic-inch Ford V8 engine, but in 2013, it was given a race-prepped 347-cubic-inch Ford V-8 built by Tony Oddo. Although it has higher displacement, it has the same overall exterior dimensions of the smaller V-8, which means that the original positioning of the exhaust system and other ancillaries has remained unaltered. The engine has four twin-choke Weber IDA carburetors and is paired with a four-speed manual gearbox.

In 2012, this Sunbeam received an FIA Historic Technical Passport, and it raced at the Goodwood Revival that year. Additionally, it has raced on several occasions at the Sonoma Historics.

The current owner purchased the car in 2020, and since that time, it has been given no-expense-spared mechanical servicing and maintenance.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Harrington
Chassis number: B9472164 HROFE
Engine number: 3314627KA

Thomas Harrington Ltd was a British coachbuilder that built a small number of fastback Le Mans Coupe bodies for Sunbeam Alpine chassis during the early 1960s. One of those bodies was built for the Sunbeam Tiger. The Tiger was fitted with a Ford V-8 engine and was famously developed with the assistance of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles.

This car was reportedly a factory development prototype that had been built based on future safety concerns about open-top models. It was also built with competition in mind. Tiger Production, however, came to an end and the Tiger Le Mans Coupe remained a one-off.

This car was found in England in 1982. The car was brought to California where it remained in its original condition for seven years, before being treated to a restoration which took two years to complete. The restoration won Second in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1990, narrowly finishing behind Gary Wales's famous Figoni et Falaschi-bodied Bentley!

The car is original but with a few modern modifications. The upgrades include the high volume/high-pressure oil pump, modifying the heads for unleaded fuel, converting the original distributor to electronic switching, and adding a larger radiator with a five-blade fan and a 350-CFM Holley carburetor. The engine is a 260 cubic-inch overhead valve V-8 fitted with a four-barrel carburetor and offering 165 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission with disc brakes in the front and drum hydraulic brakes in the rear.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Harrington
Chassis number: B9472164 HROFE
Engine number: 3314627KA

The Sunbeam Tiger was the brainchild of Carroll Shelby and Ian Garrad, Rootes West Coast Manager who saw an opportunity for an ultra-high performance sports car in the Sunbeam line to supplement the Alpine. Shelby's organization fitted the Ford 260 V-8 Fairlane engine to a modified Alpine chassis and in May 1963 had a running prototype. Shelby was not given the contract to build Tigers, that work being contracted to Jensen at their West Bromwich facility in England. In 1965 one Tiger was pulled out at the end of the Jensen Motors assembly without its weather equipment and dispatched to Thomas Harrington Coachbuilders where it was fitted with a version of the final 'D' series Harrington fastback coupe bodywork, the only one of its kind ever built on the V-8 powered Tiger. This is that car, known to Sunbeam enthusiasts as 'Harry'. It has a 164 horsepower, 260 cubic-inch, OHV V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and four-speed manual transmission.

Sport Roadster

The Tiger was produced from June 1964 to June 1967. This is the 33rd car produced out of production run of 7,067 units. The owner purchased this car in February 2000. The restoration took three years to complete.

The car has a Ford 260 cubic-inch V-8 engine, transmission is a Borg Warner T10 4-speed. Period correct options include: Induction Kit, Engine Dress-up Kit, Aluminum Oil Pan, Traction Bars and a 2 inch exhaust system.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B94 706 74

This Sunbeam Tiger has been restored to European Specification production race car standards with full F.I.A. Certification. This Sunbeam Tiger is unusual because of its racing evolution. It started life in California as an autocross car. Purchased by current owner in mid-1970s in Colorado and driven in local club events. Moved to vintage racing in1983. Class winner at inaugural Steamboat Springs Vintage Races (1983) and Dallas Grand Prix Vintage Races (1984). It was vintage raced in Europe in the mid-1990s, including 'Old Timers' Grand Prix' in Germany. 2007 was the cars second appearance at the Monterey Historics.

Sport Roadster

This 1965 Tiger has had a complete and thorough restoration. It is finished in Artic white over red upholstered interior. It has a Moto-Lita, wood steering wheel, factory burlwood dash and bullet style side mirrors. It rides on a set of Mini-Lite style Panasport rims and new radial tires. Inside the trunk is a spare tire, jack and top boot.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9470925

This Sunbeam Tiger is finished in a bright blue paint scheme with a silver racing stripe. It has been given a recent restoration and kept in a climate controlled facility. The interior is done in black vinyl and trimmed with blue welting that matches the exterior color. It has a black folding top and a matching hardtop. It rides on a set of cast alloy spoked wheels with B.F. Goodrich T/A radials. The engine is an overhead valve 'small-block' V8 fitted with 4-barrel Holley carburetors and mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9472202 LRX FE

The Sunbeam Tiger was an outgrowth of the Alpine made by the Rootes Corporation. In 1963 Carroll Shelby, 'The Father of the Cobra,' was given a contract to put a V-8 engine in the Alpine for $10,000 by the Rootes Corporation. Shelby utilized the same engine block that he was using in his initial Cobras and completed the job in eight weeks.

Approximately 7,500 Tigers were made before Chrysler bought controlling interest in Rootes in 1967. Chrysler made the determination that none of their V-8's would fit in the Tiger, due to the distributor location. At that point Chrysler could see no point in warranting a Ford engine in a Chrysler car, so they opted to shut down production.

Many factory authorized accessories were made available by Los Angeles Tiger and known as LAT options. This Tiger has LAT 70 wheels shod with the original sized 13-inch bias tires.

This car was nominated for a National Award during the 75th Anniversary show by the National Awards Committee of the AACA and won a Grand National in 2013.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9471795

This Sunbeam Tiger 260 is finished in the correct code 58 Midnight Blue exterior. It has a leather interior and Haartz Stayfast Top. It is powered by a 260 Ford V8 mated to a Borg Warner T-10 four-speed transmission.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9471424 LRXFE

This Sunbeam Tiger Mk I was given a ground-up restoration and retains all the original panels, badges, tags, and logos. It is finished in the familiar British Racing Green. Under the bonnet is a custom fan, custom four-core radiator, Ford 289 motor, aluminum intake manifold, Holley 650, ceramic-coated headers, aluminum 'Tiger Powered by Ford' valve covers, remote oil filter, Dales restoration front clip with rack-and-pinion steering, Dales sub-frame and connectors, sway bar, four-wheel Wilwood brake calipers, 'top-loader' four-speed manual transmission, Dana 44 differential, and stainless steel exhaust system. The car rests on Kuhmo radial tires mounted on eight-spoke Panasport wheels. Inside are new black bucket seats, a burled walnut dash with a full set of original gauges and factory wood rim steering wheel. All the chrome has been re-plated.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9473212 LRXFE

This 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I placed into storage for over 37 years by its second owner in Texas. Upon its emergence from storage, it had 27,320 miles on the odometer. A no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration soon followed with the paint stripped and refinished in its original shade of Arctic White. This is one of only 18 known to exist in this factory color combination of Arctic White over red. The restoration included refurbishing the engine, transmission, and rear end. Currently, the odometer shows 27,881 miles.

This Mk 1 Tiger was equipped in period with a number of LAT (Los Angeles Tiger) options which it retains today, including a performance intake (LAT 1), cast alloy wheels (LAT 9), and a limited-slip differential with 3.54 rear gear ratio (LAT 50 and 53).

This Tiger has had three owners from new.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster

Produced by the Rootes Group, the Sunbeam Tiger combined the power of an American V8 engine with the chassis of the British Sunbeam Alpine sports car. Shelby-American designed and built a prototype equipped with a Ford 260 V8 engine. Tiger production commenced at Jensen Motors during the first week of June 1964.

This example was reported completed on June 19, 1964, the 33rd Tiger in a run of 7,085 Tigers between 1964 and 1967. A 'rotisserie' restoration in 2000-2003 was refreshed in 2011. The hardtop was restored in 2021. The interior is correct for an early MkI, including seats with contrast piping and the original 'Black Dash:' a feature limited to the first 400 Tigers. The engine is a period-correct Ford 260 V8 equipped with factory-approved options available from Sunbeam dealerships. The transmission is the original Borg-Warner T-10 from Shelby-American which are only found in the first 57 Tigers.

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: B9473705 LRO FE

Among the accolades achieved by the Rootes Group rally program was a class win at the Monte Carlo, Geneva, Tulip and Acropolis Rallies. The V-8 engines powering the Works Tigers, along with its short wheelbase, allowed it to be a contestant for outright victories.

This particular example had left-hand-drive configuration and left the factory finished in Midnight Blue with a White roof. Registered by the Works in December 1965, it raced at the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally where it was piloted by Andrew Cowan and Brian Coyle. Due to poor weather conditions, the car somersaulted after hitting a kilometer marker, causing heavy damage and retirement.

The car was later sold to factory driver Ian Lewis. In 1976, the car re-appeared with M. Scott-Smith of Alloa, Scotland when he listed it for sale. By this point in history, the car had lost many of its Works features and the engine residing in its bay was a 289 CID V8. The original LHD (left-hand-drive) was swapped for right-hand drive.

It is believed that David Jeffrey owned the car from 1980 to 1989, selling it to Michael Harrison, whose ownership ended in 2001 when it was acquired by the current custodian.

It is believed that this Tiger has been given two restorations, the first was in the 1980s. One of these restorations may have included a re-shell of the car. Some of the factory configurations have been returned to the vehicle including left-hand-drive and a 260 CID engine.

by Dan Vaughan

Lord William Rootes of Ramsbury created the British-based Sunbeam/Rootes Coventry Company after extensive experience gained from the Singer Company. He had been actively involved in automobile racing and development for a number of years. In 1926 a Sunbeam powered by a 12-cylinder engine and driven by Sir Henry Seagrave had set the land speed record at 152.3 mph.

The Sunbeam Tiger is probably most famous for its starring role in the TV series 'Get Smart', created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The main character, Maxwell Smart, drove the vehicle to Control each week where he was given his assignment. Agent 86, er Maxwell Smart, received attention where ever he went, thanks in part to the stylish vehicle that accompanied him.

The Sunbeam Tiger continued the long tradition of putting a large American engine in a small European car. Others, such as the Nash-Healey and Facel Vega had done this before. The most celebrated success of this unique combination would have to be the Shelby Cobra where, under the direction of Carroll Shelby, a Ford V8 was planted in an AC Ace.

In 1959 the two-seater Sunbeam Alpine was introduced by the Rootes Group. Under the hood was a 1494 cc four-cylinder engine mated to a transmission featuring overdrive. The small engine was barely enough to compliment the stylish and sporty body. Ian Garrad, an individual involved in the US Sunbeam/Rootes Group, realized that the power of the AC Ace could be transplanted into the Sunbeam Alpine. Most of the engines he tried to install were too larger for the Alpines engine bay. He struggled to find an appropriate engine that was also backed by manufacturer support. He found it in the Ford Falcon 260 cubic-inch 8-cylinder engine.

Garrad approached the road racing legend Ken Miles and the infamous Caroll Shelby for help with this project. Both agreed and began work separately in their own shops. Shortly thereafter in May of 1963, the two prototypes were ready.

The prototype developed by Ken Miles retained the recirculation-ball steering and many of the Alpine's mechanical components. Shelby's approach was different, moving the engine farther back in the engine back to capitalize on better weight distribution. The firewall and transmission tunnel was modified to accommodate the large engine. A rack-and-pinion steering unit replaced the recirculation-ball unit and the prior transmission was removed in favor of a four-speed manual gearbox.

After vigorous testing and multiple road trips, the vehicle was sent to Lord Rootes for his approval. After further testing, the project was code-named 'Thunderbolt' and further testing and development were performed on the vehicle. The chassis and suspension were straightened to compensate for the large V8 engine. This strengthening added to the overall weight of the vehicle, but with a total curb weight of just 2560 pounds, the horsepower-to-weight ratio was still phenomenal. With 164 horsepower under the hood, the vehicle was able to go from zero-to-sixty in just 7.8 seconds. If that was not enough, Shelby and Rootes offered aftermarket products that improved the engine's performance resulting in 245 horsepower. The four-speed manual was standard but an optional automatic was available for an extra $500.

In honor of the land speed record accomplishment by Seagrave, the vehicle was named Sunbeam Tiger. It was debuted at the New York Auto Show where it was offered for less than $2300.

The vehicle was a success but troubles in Europe led Rootes to the Chrysler group for financial support. The Rootes Companies employees were striking, production was slow, and so was the cash flow. Chrysler stepped in, acquiring over 83% of the company. The production of the Tiger continued through 1967 but Chrysler was not enthusiastic about offering a Ford-powered vehicle. The Mark II version appeared which offered a larger engine, the result of enlarging the bore and stroke resulting in a 289 cubic-inch capacity. Shortly after the Mark II introduction, the production of the Tiger ceased.

During its production lifespan, 7067 examples of the Sunbeam Tiger were created.

by Dan Vaughan