302ci OHV V8 Engine (see text)
Single Carburetor
250bhp at 4,400rpm (est)
5-Speed TKO Manual Transmission (see text)
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Wilwood Disc Brakes (see text)

*Subject of a rotisserie restoration
*Carefully uprated for power and drivability
*Over $100,000 spent on restoration and improvements
*Iconic British Roadster with adequate V8 Power

THE SUNBEAM TIGER

Inspired by Carroll Shelby's success in shoehorning a Ford V8 into the AC Ace to create the Cobra, Rootes asked Shelby to perform the same trick with its Sunbeam Alpine sports car. The project was instigated by the company's West Coast, USA distributor, Rootes American Motors Inc, which was located not far from Shelby American. Ford's 260ci (4.2-liter) 'Windsor' V8 was chosen, and even though this had 'only' 164bhp on tap it was approaching double the output of the contemporary Alpine's 1.6-liter four. The transplant radically transformed the character of the car.

Assembled by Jensen Motors and introduced in 1964, the Tiger kept the Alpine's basic layout but featured a stronger gearbox and rear axle plus rack-and-pinion steering. Vastly superior to its Alpine progenitor in performance terms, the Tiger stormed to 60mph in under ten seconds and peaked at around 120mph. Tigers would go on to enjoy success in both racing and rallying over the years.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This hot Tiger is an authentic MkI, blessed by the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association. That is not the only thing that has been blessed about the English-American hybrid however. The recipient of a rotisserie restoration, it is surely one of the finest Tigers around. Completed five years ago by a prior owner, Burton Classics of Stanton, California handled much of the mechanical work while Dale Akuszewski provided suspension and steering components.

Starting under the hood, the original 260ci engine has given way to a 302 that was rebuilt with Edelbrock Aluminum heads and Performer RPM intake manifold spitting the results of suck-push-bang-blow through a set of custom dual exhaust. To ensure more than just the driver is the coolest thing in this beast, an aluminum radiator with a thermostatically-controlled electric fan is fitted up front. Power is funneled through a Hurst-shifted TKO 5-speed manual before heading out to a 3.31 limited slip differential. From there, fat 15 inch by 7 inch (6 inches wide in the front) Halibrand-style rims put power to the pavement while Wilwood 4-pot calipers gripping vented discs at all corners bring things to a halt. To ensure that left and right is as good as go and stop, a front suspension package from Mr. Akuszewski has been fitted including a CNC-fabricated crossmember/A-arm fixture. Additionally, there is an adjustable steering rack—to accommodate different ride heights—with an electric power steering unit. Camber, caster, and bump-steer dynamics are also adjustable.

Things don't stop there. The entire body was stripped bare before a multi-coat base/clear coat repaint in black was completed followed by a color sanding and buff. All of the exterior chrome was also reported to have been redone at this time. The hardtop received similar treatment while the soft top frame was rebuilt and reskinned. Inside, the Smiths gauges were refurbished and the interior was reupholstered to original specification with new rubber and wiring to boot. Receipts for the work completed are into six-figure territory.

Fewer than 700 miles have been driven since the completion of the restoration. An exhilarating machine to drive, the never-ending power delivered by the high revving V-8 is intoxicating – a Cobra in gentleman's clothes. Reported to be a better performing car than anything that ever left the factory, this Tiger shows beautifully. If power, speed, and drop top motoring are what you seek, look no further.