“Okay, there in a jif. Real good then”: 1966 Sunbeam Tiger
Sunbeam asked Carroll Shelby to produce a prototype for $10,000. 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. It seems you can’t sell a Chrysler with a Ford engine in it and Chrysler’s engines just won’t fit in the Alpine. We are sometimes placed in a position where we don’t really have much to go on but from what we do have, we think it is worth the risk. So if you ever wanted a Sunbeam Tiger for not a ton of money, this one may be the one to look at. Or at least find out more about. This is what we know – it was a California car purchased new by the seller’s uncle. He moved it to Fargo, North Dakota in 2003. – (“Okay, there in a jif. Real good then.”, is a quote spoken by Marge Gunderson in the movie Fargo. We love that movie.) – Under the seller’s care, the Tiger was repainted (not burnt umber like the Ciera) , re-chromed, new carpets and seats. Or as the listing says, a major refresh. Nothing is said about it being Certified either. The asking price is $28,000. Click here to contact the seller. If the link doesn’t work, you snoozed and lost.