1966 Sunbeam

Black.

This authentic left hand drive Sunbeam Tiger Roadster finished in its factory Embassy Black (confirmed by International Registry of Sunbeam Tigers) was imported into the Philippines from the USA in 2007. In 2012 the Tiger was the subject of a total body and mechanical restoration from the bare shell by Byrnes Motor Trust of over 3,600 hours. The history file for the car contains invoices for over 10,000USD of parts. The car is finished in Black with a retrimmed black leather interior, new roof, carpets and tonneau cover. Following completion of restoration the Tiger was imported into the UK in late 2012 and is offered tax paid with fresh MoT and age related registration. Chassis no. B382002074.The 260 V8 engine has been totally reconditioned, including new piston rings, crank re -grind and camshaft. The carburettors are new and the cylinder head has been overhauled, together with a total bodywork restoration and new Minilight wheels. This Tiger is certainly one of the finest examples around of this sought-after 1960s sportscar. This marque offers exciting driving with that unmistakable and heart stopping engine note of its V8 engine in full song!The Sunbeam Tiger was an uprated 'muscle car' version of the British Rootes Group's Sunbeam Alpine roadster, in exactly the same way as the Cobra developed from the AC Bristol, it was originally sold in Europe as the Sunbeam Alpine 260. The Tiger is perhaps best known as Agent Maxwell Smart's car as seen in the opening credits of the hilarious TV series 'Get Smart'.The West Coast Sales Manager of Rootes American Motors Inc., Ian Garrad, realized that the Alpine's image was that of a grand tourer (GT) rather than a sports car, and he, along with Richard R. Hovis set about changing its image, using the recent success of the Shelby Cobra as a guide. He and Rootes' Western Service Manager Walter McKenzie measured up several V8 engines and determined that Ford's new 164 hp Windsor V8 engine would fit nicely between the frame rails. Sunbeam asked Carroll Shelby to produce one functional prototype on a budget of $10,000. Shelby's prototype was designed by Richard R. Hovis, and fabricated by Shelby employee George Boskoff, and the result was judged to be good enough to send to England for production evaluation. Production of the Tiger only lasted from 1964 until Chrysler purchased the Rootes Group in June 1967. Production reached 7,085 cars over three distinct series (the factory only ever designated two, the Mark 1 and Mark 2; however, since the official Mark 1 production spanned the changeover in body style from the Series IV Alpine panels to the Series V panels, the later cars are generally designated Mark 1A by current Sunbeam Tiger enthusiasts). Contact us for further information