Vehicle Description
1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mark IA Convertible
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Designer: Carroll Shelby/Ken Miles
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Estimate: $65,000 - $105,000 ���Without Reserve
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Chassis Number: B382000187LRX
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Decoded: B382=Tiger Mark 1A; 000187; 187th Mark 1A scheduled for
production, L=LHD; RX=North American Export
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Engine: �347 cid "Stroker" V8 by Ford
4-barrel Edelbrock Carburetor/500 bhp (est.)
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Four Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
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Radical Up-Grades in Drive-Train and Suspension
Over-the-top Detailing and Components
Detailing Inside and Out, Top to Bottom
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The Model - What came first, the Cat or the Snake? In one of the
biggest misconceptions of automotive history, Carroll Shelby's
Cobra was produced before he was asked to help stuff a small-block
Ford V8 under the hood of a Sunbeam Alpine. While Shelby was
figuring out how to shoe-horn the 440 lbs engine into the space
normally occupied by a small little four-banger, his close friend,
Ken Miles was performing a similar job but on a much smaller budget
than Shelby. Both racing icons working independently of each other
came up with similar solutions to taking a peppy little Alpine and
turning it into a fire-breathing sports-car that was well-deserving
of the name, Tiger. While Shelby had been hoping to snag the
contract to assemble these cars in the USA, the factory had made
arrangements to utilize the Jensen brothers in England, for that
task. Shelby would receive a royalty payment for each Tiger
produced, while his friend Ken Miles was pretty much left with his
prototype car as a consolation prize. Over the years owners have
figured out ways to make their Tigers better. Larger displacement
engines, tweaks to the suspension, better brakes, wheels and even
occupant comfort have been added. In stock form, the Tiger can be
lots of fun, but for enthusiasts with a real need for speed,
modified Tigers fill the bill.�
The Car - Finished in Competition Yellow, this Tiger has been
treated to a tasteful build that has improved its performance and
created quite an attractive car to be seen in. #187 is listed in
the Sunbeam Tiger Registry and has been verified as a real-deal
Tiger. Under the hood sits a 347 cubic inch V8 that shares its
exterior dimensions with the original small-block this car was born
with. Modifications had to be made to the hood installing a
function air-scoop to help feed this hungry engine through its
Edelbrock carburetor which is mounted atop an Edelbrock RPM alloy
intake manifold. Custom alloy valve covers and air-cleaner top set
off the beauty of the build, and when run on a Dynamometer it
verifies a solid 476 HP are being delivered to the rear wheels.
Wilwood disc brakes were installed on all four corners and the
suspension has been tuned and balanced to ensure steady handling
and responsive actions when needed. Completed four years ago, it
has been driven less than 1,300 miles, shown at just a few
exhibitions and never raced or abused. Take this car to several
local events, win some trophies and then take it out and use it for
what it was built for, enjoying the open road, but only at the
maximum posted speed limits. Yeah, right.
