Vehicle Description
Buoyed by the runaway success of the Cobra, Carroll Shelby set out
to offer a follow-up act. AC's lovely Ace roadster provided the
basis for the Cobra, so Shelby again looked to England for the
source of his next project. The Rootes Group had the ideal platform
in their crisply styled Alpine Roadster. In the same spirit as the
Cobra, Shelby and his team took a base Alpine, yanked out the
somewhat anemic four-cylinder engine, and shoehorned in Ford's new
260 cubic-inch small-block V8. While the Ford engine was remarkably
compact, it still required some precision modifications to the
engine bay - with a big hammer. The suspension and brakes were
suitably updated to handle the extra power, and the car was given
an appropriately flashy new name -Tiger. The Sunbeam Tiger offered
junior-Cobra performance in a more modern, civilized, and
user-friendly package. It had a spacious and comfortable cabin,
roll-up glass side windows, and generally felt more contemporary
than the AC. After 6,450 cars, supplies of the 260 V8 dried up, so
Sunbeam and Shelby turned to the more powerful 289 cubic-inch unit.
The new engine and some minor improvements carried over from the
Tiger Mk IA evolved into the Tiger Mk II. Visual changes were
subtle, limited to an egg-crate grille and new "Tiger II" badging
on the body. By this time, however, Rootes Group was under the full
control of Chrysler Corporation, and the idea of their flagship
sportscar flouting its Ford engines was an embarrassment. As a
result, just 536 Mk II cars were produced - less than one-tenth of
the first-series production - making them the most collectible and
desirable of the Tiger family. This 1967 Sunbeam Tiger is an
incredibly well-preserved and well-documented Mk II, finished in
its original shade of Mediterranean Blue (code 100) with white
factory side stripes and period gold-faced Minilite wheels.
According to the original invoice and window sticker on file, Mr.
William Wohrlath purchased this car on July 23, 1967, from Peter
Pan Motors of San Francisco, California. Including the optional
tonneau cover and dealer fees, it totaled $3,923.25. Early service
records show Mr. Wohrlath continually improved the car during his
time with it. Aside from routine maintenance, receipts from Peter
Pan Motors document the installation of traction bars, a
high-performance cam kit, aluminum intake, and a fiberglass L.A.T.
hood - all within the first year of ownership. As offered, it is in
highly original, unrestored condition, coming to us via long term
single-family ownership and retaining many of those performance
parts fitted back in 1967. It is also accompanied by the STOA
Certificate of Authenticity, owner's manual, and has appeared in
various publications and buyers guides as an exemplary original
car. The Mediterranean Blue paint is a rarely seen color, and it
looks superb on the taut and compact lines. The finish displays
some age-appropriate fading and few minor battle scars, which only
enhance its refreshingly honest character. Brightwork is straight
and shows a consistent patina, and the body is adorned with proper
Mk II badging, egg-crate grille, and side stripes. Climbing aboard
reveals the wonderfully preserved original interior. Upholstery is
the correct heavy-grain vinyl unique to Sunbeams of the period, and
the car retains its banjo steering wheel, burl wood dash, Smiths
dials, and Lucas switchgear. Like the exterior, the interior is in
superb original condition, with a lightly careworn character that
invites regular enjoyment. Ford's 289 cubic-inch V8 was originally
rated at around 200 horsepower when new, but the period upgrades
undoubtedly push that number significantly higher. Lifting the
fiberglass L.A.T. hood reveals an orderly engine bay, appropriately
detailed for an unrestored car. Many of the period aftermarket
parts remain, including the aluminum intake manifold and chrome air
cleaner, along with finned "Cobra" motif valve covers, believed to
be a later addition. The taller intake, fitted in 1967,
necessitated the replacement hood, which provides clearance for the
carb and features additional scoops and vents to keep the engine
fed and cool. This marvelous Sunbeam Tiger has been in the care of
one family since the late 1990s, who have taken great care to
preserve its incredible originality. The Sunbeam Tiger Owner's
Association CoA, issued in 1994, is more than just a production
record, as it required an in-person inspection from a trained
specialist to ensure this is a genuine Tiger Mk II. With its
marvelous patina and fascinating, well-documented history, this
rare and desirable Sunbeam will be a welcome addition to any
enthusiast's stable. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6835-1967-sunbeam-tiger-mkii-roadster/
