Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
Dealer Info
http://www.charlescrail.com/
Santa Barbara CA, 93108
A single-owner, final-series Mk II/289 V-8 example of the potent Sunbeam Tiger, a svelte and incredibly enjoyable 1960s performer. Highly original, painstakingly mechanically serviced 2007/2008, then displayed at Boulder, Colorado Shelby American Collection. Documents include the original Bill of Sale, original CO title, and Certificate of Authenticity from the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association.
Specifications: 289 cu. in. Ford V-8 engine, 200 bhp at 4,400 rpm, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with wishbones and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and Panhard rod, and front disc/rear drum hydraulic brakes; wheelbase: 86"
Conceived by Ian Garrad, the U.S. West Coast manager for Britain's Rootes Motors, Inc., the Sunbeam Tiger grabbed a share of the growing market for American V-8 powered sports cars during the 1960s. Dropping a powerful American V-8 engine into a small European sports car was no small task, but as Sidney Allard and Carroll Shelby had already proven, the concept was viable and represented the quickest path to race-winning performance.
Rightly, Garrad believed that Rootes' Sunbeam Alpine roadster was a strong candidate for conversion to V-8 power as a sales booster. The Alpine was certainly attractive and had already won the Index of Thermal Efficiency at Le Mans in 1961 and achieved success in American SCCA competition. Once Garrad obtained approval from Lord Rootes' son Brian, a Ford 260-powered prototype was built by engineer/racer Ken Miles, who soon after joined Shelby American. Shelby also built a V-8 Alpine conversion, with the car tested by Garrad and then shipped to England for evaluation in the summer of 1963. Company management, including Lord Rootes, enthusiastically approved the project, code-named 'Thunderbolt' and selected Jensen to build it in West Bromwich.
First available in 1964 for sale in the United States, the new car was appropriately named 'Tiger' in honor of Rootes' own 1925/26 V-12 Land Speed Record car and made available the next year for the home market in right-hand drive form. A strong performer, the Tiger 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. Only some 7,000 Tigers were built through 1968 along two distinct series, the Mk I with an estimated 6,500 (Mk I and Mk IA) produced, and the updated, 289-powered Mk II numbering an estimated 500 or so aimed primarily at the U.S. market. Only Chrysler's 1967 takeover of Rootes brought the eventual end to this potent and effective Ford-powered sports car.
According to details provided by Norm Miller, the President of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association (STOA) and Bill Martin of the Rootes Group Depot, this Mark II Tiger is one of the final 536 289 V-8 Sunbeams produced. It is listed in the Jensen Motors Ltd. records of production as the 116th Tiger II commissioned and reported completed on Thursday, January 19, 1967. On that particular day, Jensen tallied 10 Tigers exiting the assembly line, two of which were end-of-model-year 1966 MK IAs. At last count, 385 of the rare Mk II machines have been identified still in existence. Of them, this example joins 134 sisters originally finished in the very popular Rootes Color Code 86 "Forest Green" paint finish - Sunbeam's version of British Racing Green. Just 79 are known to retain their original livery. This Tiger was built using the 137th Pressed Steel Mk II body produced and has been granted STOA's Certificate of Authenticity #1043. The matching numbers drivetrain includes an engine from the last group shipped to Jensen by Ford under the Sunbeam Tiger contract. Other included treasures include a complete luggage compartment full of sought-after, but often discarded items including an original Dunlop RS5 whitewall spare flanked by a full-to-the-flaps vinyl tool roll. The roadside emergency jack and lug wrench are also in pride of place, as is only fitting. This car is difficult not to hear the word "AMAZING" from the rafters.
Remaining exceptionally original, this very special 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mk II is one of precious few remaining in such unmodified condition today. While the paint has been touched up a bit on the hood and trunk lid, it remains much as the factory applied it in 1967. Pusher-type fans are a welcome select upgrade that enhances cooling for the powerful Ford 289 V-8 engine. Otherwise, the Tiger is essentially the same as when it was purchased new by Paul and Barb Gayer at the Fred Case Motor Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to the Bill of Sale on file, the Tiger was sold for $4,233. 65 less a $1,618.65 trade-in credit for a Chevrolet SS327. Optional features selected for the Tiger included a side-view mirror ($6.95), seat belts ($15.00), a cigar lighter ($6.50), a radio ($65.00), and a hard top ($215.00), which was scheduled to be provided when the Tiger returned to the dealer for its 600-mile service. Only an approximate 59,000 miles have been traveled by the Tiger. As the young couple's only vehicle for the first few years of its lifetime, the Tiger remained with them in Colorado and this single-family vehicle is offered with its original Colorado title.
In 2007, the Tiger was brought out of its hibernation by the professionals at Sports Car Craftsmen in Denver, with the car's mechanical systems reviewed and re-commissioned. The cosmetics were also addressed, with the paint touched up, the dashboard and dash pad replaced (the original is still included with the sale), seat padding replaced, bumpers re-chromed, and new tires installed. The goal of the project was to maintain as much of the Tiger's wonderful originality as possible while making it ready for spirited driving. Next, the Tiger was placed on display for six months beginning in February 2008 at the Shelby American Collection in Boulder, Colorado. As offered, this Tiger Mk II is a highly engaging, virtual "time capsule" throughout. Accompanied by the factory hardtop, the Tiger includes the original Automobile Sales Order/Bill of Sale, the original Colorado title document, and a Certificate of Authenticity issued by the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association. Smart collectors of Shelby-influenced 1960s sports cars are starting to gravitate to the Tiger and if you are looking for a truly great example, this highly original and documented Mk II is a thrilling choice!
1967 Sunbeam Tiger MK II 289
A single-owner, final-series Mk II/289 V-8 example of the potent Sunbeam Tiger, a svelte and incredibly enjoyable 1960s performer. Highly original, painstakingly mechanically serviced 2007/2008, then displayed at Boulder, Colorado Shelby American Collection. Documents include the original Bill of Sale, original CO title, and Certificate of Authenticity from the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association.
Specifications: 289 cu. in. Ford V-8 engine, 200 bhp at 4,400 rpm, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with wishbones and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and Panhard rod, and front disc/rear drum hydraulic brakes; wheelbase: 86"
Conceived by Ian Garrad, the U.S. West Coast manager for Britain's Rootes Motors, Inc., the Sunbeam Tiger grabbed a share of the growing market for American V-8 powered sports cars during the 1960s. Dropping a powerful American V-8 engine into a small European sports car was no small task, but as Sidney Allard and Carroll Shelby had already proven, the concept was viable and represented the quickest path to race-winning performance.
Rightly, Garrad believed that Rootes' Sunbeam Alpine roadster was a strong candidate for conversion to V-8 power as a sales booster. The Alpine was certainly attractive and had already won the Index of Thermal Efficiency at Le Mans in 1961 and achieved success in American SCCA competition. Once Garrad obtained approval from Lord Rootes' son Brian, a Ford 260-powered prototype was built by engineer/racer Ken Miles, who soon after joined Shelby American. Shelby also built a V-8 Alpine conversion, with the car tested by Garrad and then shipped to England for evaluation in the summer of 1963. Company management, including Lord Rootes, enthusiastically approved the project, code-named 'Thunderbolt' and selected Jensen to build it in West Bromwich.
First available in 1964 for sale in the United States, the new car was appropriately named 'Tiger' in honor of Rootes' own 1925/26 V-12 Land Speed Record car and made available the next year for the home market in right-hand drive form. A strong performer, the Tiger 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. Only some 7,000 Tigers were built through 1968 along two distinct series, the Mk I with an estimated 6,500 (Mk I and Mk IA) produced, and the updated, 289-powered Mk II numbering an estimated 500 or so aimed primarily at the U.S. market. Only Chrysler's 1967 takeover of Rootes brought the eventual end to this potent and effective Ford-powered sports car.
According to details provided by Norm Miller, the President of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association (STOA) and Bill Martin of the Rootes Group Depot, this Mark II Tiger is one of the final 536 289 V-8 Sunbeams produced. It is listed in the Jensen Motors Ltd. records of production as the 116th Tiger II commissioned and reported completed on Thursday, January 19, 1967. On that particular day, Jensen tallied 10 Tigers exiting the assembly line, two of which were end-of-model-year 1966 MK IAs. At last count, 385 of the rare Mk II machines have been identified still in existence. Of them, this example joins 134 sisters originally finished in the very popular Rootes Color Code 86 "Forest Green" paint finish - Sunbeam's version of British Racing Green. Just 79 are known to retain their original livery. This Tiger was built using the 137th Pressed Steel Mk II body produced and has been granted STOA's Certificate of Authenticity #1043. The matching numbers drivetrain includes an engine from the last group shipped to Jensen by Ford under the Sunbeam Tiger contract. Other included treasures include a complete luggage compartment full of sought-after, but often discarded items including an original Dunlop RS5 whitewall spare flanked by a full-to-the-flaps vinyl tool roll. The roadside emergency jack and lug wrench are also in pride of place, as is only fitting. This car is difficult not to hear the word "AMAZING" from the rafters.
Remaining exceptionally original, this very special 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mk II is one of precious few remaining in such unmodified condition today. While the paint has been touched up a bit on the hood and trunk lid, it remains much as the factory applied it in 1967. Pusher-type fans are a welcome select upgrade that enhances cooling for the powerful Ford 289 V-8 engine. Otherwise, the Tiger is essentially the same as when it was purchased new by Paul and Barb Gayer at the Fred Case Motor Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to the Bill of Sale on file, the Tiger was sold for $4,233. 65 less a $1,618.65 trade-in credit for a Chevrolet SS327. Optional features selected for the Tiger included a side-view mirror ($6.95), seat belts ($15.00), a cigar lighter ($6.50), a radio ($65.00), and a hard top ($215.00), which was scheduled to be provided when the Tiger returned to the dealer for its 600-mile service. Only an approximate 59,000 miles have been traveled by the Tiger. As the young couple's only vehicle for the first few years of its lifetime, the Tiger remained with them in Colorado and this single-family vehicle is offered with its original Colorado title.
In 2007, the Tiger was brought out of its hibernation by the professionals at Sports Car Craftsmen in Denver, with the car's mechanical systems reviewed and re-commissioned. The cosmetics were also addressed, with the paint touched up, the dashboard and dash pad replaced (the original is still included with the sale), seat padding replaced, bumpers re-chromed, and new tires installed. The goal of the project was to maintain as much of the Tiger's wonderful originality as possible while making it ready for spirited driving. Next, the Tiger was placed on display for six months beginning in February 2008 at the Shelby American Collection in Boulder, Colorado. As offered, this Tiger Mk II is a highly engaging, virtual "time capsule" throughout. Accompanied by the factory hardtop, the Tiger includes the original Automobile Sales Order/Bill of Sale, the original Colorado title document, and a Certificate of Authenticity issued by the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association. Smart collectors of Shelby-influenced 1960s sports cars are starting to gravitate to the Tiger and if you are looking for a truly great example, this highly original and documented Mk II is a thrilling choice!