Sunbeam Tiger 4.3L 1966

HISTORY OF THE SUNBEAM TIGER (wikipedia) The Sunbeam Tiger is a high-performance V8 version of the British Rootes Group's Sunbeam Alpine roadster. designed in part by American car designer and racing driver Carroll Shelby and produced from 1964 until 1967. Shelby had carried out a similar V8 conversion on the AC Cobra. and hoped to be offered the contract to produce the Tiger at his facility in America. Rootes decided instead to contract the assembly work to Jensen at West Bromwich in England. and pay Shelby a royalty on every car produced.

Two major versions of the Tiger were built: the Series I (1964–67) was fitted with the 260 cu in (4. 3 L) Ford V8; the Series II. of which only 633 were built in the final year of Tiger production. was fitted with the larger Ford 289 cu in (4. 7 L) engine. Two prototype and extensively modified versions of the Series I competed in the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans. but neither completed the race. Rootes also entered the Tiger in European rallies with some success. and for two years it was the American Hot Rod Association's national record holder over a quarter-mile drag strip.

Production ended in 1967 soon after the Rootes Group was taken over byChrysler. which did not have a suitable engine to replace the Ford V8. Owing to the ease and affordability of modifying the Tiger. there are few surviving cars in standard form. [3]

Versions[edit]Apart from the bigger engine the changes to the Series II Tiger were largely cosmetic: the most obvious are the speed stripes and the "egg crate" radiator grille.

Production reached 7128 cars over three distinct series. The factory only ever designated two. the Series I and Series II. but as the official Series I production spanned the change in body style from the Series IV Alpine panels to the Series V panels. the later Series I cars are generally designated Series IA by Sunbeam Tiger enthusiasts. [36]The Series II Tiger. fitted with the larger Ford 289 cu in (4. 7 L). was intended exclusively for export to America and was never marketed in the UK. a rel="rel nofollow" href="http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Sunbeam_Tiger#cite_note-FOOTNOTERobson2012125. E2. 80. 937-40" >[37] although six right-hand drive models were sold to the Metropolitan Police for use in traffic patrols and high-speed pursuits; four more went to the owners of important Rootes dealerships. [38]

All Tigers were fitted with a single Ford twin-choke carburettor. The compression ratio of the larger Series II engine was increased from the 8. 8:1 of the smaller block to 9. 3:1. [39]Other differences between the versions included upgraded valve springs (the 260 had developed a reputation for self-destructing if pushed beyond 5000 rpm). an engine-oil cooler. an alternator instead of a dynamo. a larger single dry plate hydraulically operated clutch. wider ratio transmission. and some rear-axle modifications. There were also cosmetic changes: speed stripes instead of chrome strips down the side of the car. a modified radiator grille. and removal of the headlamp cowls. [40][41][42] All Tigers were fitted with the same 4. 5 in (110 mm) wide steel disc bolt-on wheels as the Alpine IV. a rel="rel nofollow" href="http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Sunbeam_Tiger#cite_note-FOOTNOTERobson201286. 2C_110. 2C_125-46" >[43]and Dunlop RS5 4. 90 in × 13 in (124 mm × 330 mm) cross-ply tyres. [44] The lack of space in the Tiger's engine bay causes a few maintenance problems; the left bank of spark plugs is only accessible through a hole in the bulkhead for instance. normally sealed with a rubber bung. and the oil filter had to be relocated from the lower left on the block to a higher position on the right-hand side. behind the generator. [14]

Series I[edit]Sunbeam Tiger Series IOverviewProduction1964–67
6450 made[45]PowertrainEngine260 cu in (4. 3 L) Ford V8[23]

The Ford V8 as fitted to the Tiger produced 164 bhp (122 kW) @ 4400 rpm. sufficient to give the car a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 8. 6 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph (190 km/h). [23][d]

The Girling-manufactured brakes used 9. 85 in (250 mm) discs at the front and 9 in (229 mm) drums at the rear. The suspension was independent at the front. using coil springs. and at the rear had a live axle and semi-elliptic springs. Apart from the addition of a Panhard rod to better locate the rear axle. and stiffer front springs to cope with the weight of the V8 engine. the Tiger's suspension and braking systems are identical to that of the standard Alpine. [23] The fitting points for the Panhard rod interfered with the upright spare wheel in the boot. which was repositioned to lie horizontally beneath a false floor; the battery was moved from beneath the rear seat to the boot at the same time. [47] The kerb weight of the car increased from the 2. 20 lb (1. 10 kg) of the standard Alpine to 2. 65 lb (1. 63 kg). [23]

In 1964. its first year of production. all but 56 of the 1649 Series I Tigers assembled were shipped to North America. a rel="rel nofollow" href="http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Sunbeam_Tiger#cite_note-FOOTNOTERobson2012118-39" >[36] where it was priced at $3499. [23] In an effort to increase its marketability to American buyers the car was fitted with " Ford 260" badges on each front wing beneath the Tiger logo. [48] The Series I was unavailable in the UK until March 1965. when it was priced at £1446. [49] It was also sold in South Africa for R3350. badged as the Sunbeam Alpine 260. [50]

Up for sale is my beloved 1966 Sunbeam Tiger MKIA matching numbers finished in Burgundy/Wine color (original red 39 paint code).  This vehicle spent most of it's life in California which is where I purchased it from and had it transported to Maryland (it's current location).   This Sunbeam has the 260 V8 which was the engine used in the original Carroll Shelby Cobras. This vehicle has been inspected and has the coveted STOA Certificate of Authenticity # 955.   This vehicle is a blast to drive. most people have very limited knowledge of TIGERS except those that are in love with them.  I have owned this car for 4 years and have absolutely loved driving it.  It is a very unassuming FAST car for a small convertible it has a lot of power with a V8 under the hood.  Attached are pictures that will give you a better look at this iconic beauty.

On Jan-16-14 at 16:51:38 PST. seller added the following information:

Car has original wheels and tires but currently has Crager rims and sport tires.

Want to buy this car?