SUNBEAM TIGER MK2 PROTOTYPE – AF-203 1965

SUNBEAM TIGER MK2 PROTOTYPE – AF-203  1965

A unique opportunity to acquire a historically significant Sunbeam Tiger 2 prototype.

AF-203 was completely restored in the late 80's by a renowned Tiger restorer and has been in private collections ever since. She was comprehensively re-commissioned in 2019 and has enjoyed light regular use since that time.

Finished in arguably the best Sunbeam colour combination of Midnight Blue with blue mohair hood, dark blue interior, piped light blue, AF-203 comes complete with an original unrestored Hard Top and a mohair tonneau cover.

There is a fascinating  and huge history file with documents, details, Factory records, photographs and which go right back to her development work with Rootes, various magazine features and even pictures and letters from her first two owners, along with a handbook and workshop manual.

AF-203 has also been featured on the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club stand at the NEC on numerous occasions and her provenance is without question. She retains all her factory development modifications and is a matching numbers car, making her an extremely rare and historically significant example of ‘what could have been'……

‘The Tiger the Engineers wanted, built without the constraints of commercial consideration'.

For a lot more information on AF-203's history, all her previous owners, details of her recent re-commissioning work and/or  to arrange a viewing,  please contact me at [email protected] or telephone 07733 919101.

SOME AF-2 CAR DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

Rootes Group initial design intentions for the MK2 Sunbeam Tiger began to unfold just a couple of months after the Public launch of the initial Tiger at the New York Auto Show of April 1964. By September of that year a Rootes management policy meeting gave the go ahead to develop a MK2 Tiger, a series of action points were agreed and detailed thus;

·         Swap  260 for 289ci hi-po engine and modified gear ratios (Ford HEH-B)

·         2” wider track to the rear axle

·         Disc brakes fitted to all 4 wheels

·         Hand brake warning light

·         Increase wheel diameter to 14”

·         Increase to 5 stud wheel hubs

·         Modified radiator and ducting

·         Revised steering assembly

·         Larger brake servo

·         Altenator charging system

·         Oil cooler

·         Revised footwell ventilation

·         Sportier exhaust system

·         Visual styling modifications

Throughout the next 6 months Jensen Motors Ltd (Subcontracted to Rootes for the Tiger production) built and extensively tested four ‘AF-2' (Alpine Ford S2) cars. These were given special development chassis numbers AF-201, AF-202, AF-203 and AF-204. Each of these vehicles received the planned specification upgrades listed above and scheduled for the launch of the MK2 planned for later that year.

Once the cars were fully developed they were rigorously assessed by the Rootes Engineers and very favorable feedback was received, the engineering reports commending the all round performance of the cars.

Following the engineering approval, the upgraded component details were then reviewed by the Rootes accountants for build costs, which when coupled to the US dealers feedback on the proposed MK2 sales price, led to grave concerns, as a significant price increase would impact the Tigers competitive position between the Healey 3000 and the Jaguar E-Type and thus the market share could be lost. This, coupled with the corporate financial strains within the Rootes group at that time, led to a company decision to cancel all the electrical, steering, suspension, wheel, hubs and brake upgrades and to just go with a 289 engine and some external styling changes.

AF-203 was selected for one last exercise which was to be the vehicle to receive the revised MK2 styling changes for final approval and sign off so she was fitted with all the MK2 trims, including the polished stainless sill and wheel arch trims that are the visual hallmark of a MK2 Tiger, but interestingly Jensen didn't remove her MK1 waist line trim and as a result, AF203 is completely unique is being the only factory Sunbeam Tiger to officially wear the trim of both MK1 & 2 cars.

The details of all the AF2 cars were as follows;

AF-201 – (ADU 706C) - MK2 260 RHD No record of this car exists, it is believed lost.*

AF-202 – (EHP 170C) - MK2 289  RHD 3 Speed Ford Automatic, 4 wheel discs + 14” wheels                    – Restored to original condition and in UK ownership.*

AF-203 – (EHP 612C) – MK2 289 LHD 4 Speed Manual. Various tests, 4 wheel discs + 14” wheels – Restored to original condition (now RHD) and in UK ownership.*

AF-204 – (EWK 322C) – Mk2 289 RHD 4 speed Manual. Various tests, 4 wheel discs + 14” wheels –Extensively modified chassis and suspension, in UK ownership.*

(AF-205 to 207 were believed to be just standard Pre Production cars used for limited tyre testing and did not receive any of the above development cars modifications. No record of these cars details exist) *

AF-203 was now surplus to Rootes engineering requirements but as she retained all her factory development upgrades she was probably not suitable to be retailed through the Rootes dealership network. So in 1966 she was sold directly to Kenneth Lunt a Rootes Rapier Development Engineer. Mr. Lunt proceeded to fit a tow bar, hitched up his caravan and then tour France extensively with his wife and son. He also competed in various motorsport events including Auto Tests.

*Source: 2020 Register of Sunbeam Tigers – STC

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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