The Sunbeam Tiger formula wasn’t a new one when it was launched in 1964. Chevrolet’s Corvette had already shown the advantages of a torquey V8 in a convertible two-seater, then the AC Cobra refined the trick by adding an American V8 to a nimble British chassis.
Indeed, it was Shelby who instantly came to mind when Rootes’ West Coast distribution manager Ian Garrad looked to add more bite to the group’s Sunbeam Alpine. Garrad had two prototypes built, one by the legendary American tuner and one by Ken Miles, a gifted racer and engineer who would later work for Shelby.
The former came to be known as ‘the good prototype’, although, when Sports Car Graphic drove the car it concluded that corners spelled ‘Panicsville’ even for the Shelby example.
Undaunted, Garrad sent the Shelby car back to the UK where the cornering problems were ironed out.
The finished result was built by Jensen, which had just stopped making the Volvo P1800, and offered agile handling along with effortless performance for much less than a Cobra.
While the Tiger was a cheaper alternative when it was launched, the market has grown wise to its charms and the sports car is no longer the utter bargain that it used to be.
The cheapest example on our classifieds comes in at a heady £37,500. A confirmed genuine car, it was imported from the US in 2007 and restored in 2011. It features a reconditioned engine, an ‘as new’ interior and a perfect body.
Still, when you are handing over almost £40k, a thorough inspection is in order. Things to look out for on any Tiger include a wallowy ride, which could signal that the dampers and rubber bushes are on the way out, and overheating.
