Certifiable: ’66 Sunbeam Tiger
Sunbeam asked Carroll Shelby to produce a prototype for $10,000. Shelby’s prototype was designed by Richard R. Hovis, and fabricated by Shelby employee George Boskoff. The car was good enough to send to England for evaluation. Seeking reassurance everything would fit, a second Series 2 Alpine was handed to Ken Miles. Miles had just been employed by Shelby American. Using his own shop facilities, he managed to install a 260 cu.in. V8 into the Alpine in less than a week, at a total cost of $600. The Tiger was reasonably successful in improving the Sunbeam brand but not as stellar a performer as the Cobra it emulated. Production ceased after 7,000 units when Chrysler purchased parent company Rootes. Can’t sell a Chrysler with a Ford engine in it. Today’s offering is one of the nicest we’ve seen. It is a 3-owner, certified car, with full history and paperwork. This is nice driver quality Tiger that can easily be taken to the next level. The interior appears presentable and it is said to drive out very nice but a couple of things need attention usually found in British electrical challenges. It has a new soft top, clutch, new LAT 70 wheels and Toyos, as well as its original wheels and wheel covers. Stainless exhaust as well. This Tiger can be found as an early registrant in the Book of Norman referencing the serial below.
Serial # B382002196LRXFE JAL # 662202 STOA TAC Certificate # 0778
The price is $34,900 and that puts this Tiger in the “how fast can I find my checkbook” category. Sports Car Market has #1 cars at $50,000. There’s lots of room if everything checks out.
Read more on Craigslist by clicking here.
Can you email as many photos as you have, tell me as much as you know about the paint and bodywork, any signs of rust repair/bondo, and advise on what specifically needs to be done, as mentioned in your ad?
I note the car is TAC’ed and is an early crossover model–the trailing edges of the hood are square? Shouldn’t there be a large square data plate under the hood on the passenger side under the smaller plate?
I am four hours away in central NH and seriously interested in a Tiger.
We featured this Tiger back in March. We’ve attempted to ascertain its availablity from the seller but have been unsuccessful. If you like, we can keep an eye out for a certified TAC Tiger…