Vehicle Description
Chassis No. B382100588LRXFE
Engine No. 1907-A11KK
Body No. JAL 700498
There was a thrilling time in post-war automotive history when a
"hybrid" meant something entirely different; typically the sporting
nature and attractive design of a European body and chassis,
married with the raw power of an American V8 powerplant. The
Sunbeam Tiger, much like the Shelby Cobra with which it shares a
certain degree of parentage, was one especially notable example, as
the Rootes Group's sprightly little Alpine was outfitted with
Ford's venerable 260 small block V8. The combination of a short
wheelbase sports car, four-speed transmission, and powerful V8 was
downright thrilling and certainly unlike anything most motorists
had seen or experienced. After about 6,500 units were built in the
first two years of production, the car received an uprated 289
small block powerplant, but all told only 536 of these new, highly
desirable Sunbeam Tiger Mk IIs were ever built.
This particular Sunbeam Tiger Mk II is particularly special as it
was acquired in 1979 by the current owner from its original owner.
At the time the car was all original, with its original body,
interior and engine but nonetheless, as a 12 year old car, it was
sent to Scott Woerth for restoration, primarily cosmetic in nature.
With its original engine and interior in place, the car made the
rounds at local car shows and Tiger events, always acquitting
itself exceptionally well. Nineteen-eighty-one included a
particularly exciting outing, as the car was shipped to San
Francisco, participated in the SAAC 6 (Shelby American Automobile
Club) in Monterey, where it won "1st Place Concours Tiger." Two 1st
place awards at the New Hope Car Show followed, after which the car
was enjoyed as a weekend driver from the 1980s through the
mid-'90s. After an extended period of storage it was decided to
restore the car in detail, beginning in 2010. The restoration was
completed in 2021 and the car has seen limited usage since then.
The project was entrusted to Wayne Tubbs of Hilliard Motor Cars in
Thornton, Pennsylvania, from the exact shade of Forest Green, the
fresh brightwork and reupholstered interior, to the rebuilt motor
done by 422 Motorsports in Oaks, Pennsylvania. The restoration work
is well-documented and the car retains its TAC Certificate of the
Tiger Owners Association, attesting to the car's authenticity.
Furthermore, due to the high quality of the restoration this Tiger
was awarded First in Class at the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance
in 2023.
As presented, in its correct original Forest Green over black, the
car is accompanied by a factory hardtop and an original tool kit
and spare wheel and tire. While Sunbeam Tigers are great fun to
drive, exceptional examples are far from abundant, particularly
ones that have remained with the same meticulous owners for nearly
a half century. This car, then, in an especially attractive color
combination, is surely one of the best.
