Five Classic Trials
Sunbeam Tiger
As you’ll have no doubt noticed from the preceding feature, it’s not escaped our attention that this issue of CCW goes on sale on 4 July. Not that we need an excuse to drive the Rootes Group’s ultimate Sixties Q-car, but when we sought to demonstrate a perfect marriage of British and American engineering ideas, the Tiger came to mind first.
Carroll Shelby successfully shoehorned a cooking version of Ford’s Windsor V8 into the engine bay of a Sunbeam Alpine, with the aim of increasing both performance potential and appeal among American buyers; of course, the notion of a more entertaining take on an established British sports car would have its fans on this side of the Atlantic as well.
Admiring Chris Hurlock’s example, it’s striking just how understated it is, given that there’s a V8 lurking under the bonnet. There’s the Alpine’s slightly flared arches, subtle tailfins and wraparound bumpers, but no bonnet bulges, air scoops or vents. There’s nothing, in fact, to identify the Tiger to the untrained eye, other than the strips of chrome along its flanks, the monikered script on the front wings and a couple of subtle badges.
This Tiger comes fresh from a comprehensive home restoration and it’s clear that Chris has aimed to keep things as the factory intended. It’s a rare right-hand-drive export model, and though it’s not known in which overseas market it was sold, the fact this 1965 car was registered in 1966 suggests that its time abroad was brief. Chris believes that only 16 other similar-specification Tigers are known to exist.
He had the body acid-dipped and extensively repaired before getting it resprayed in its original Carnival Red. He then painstakingly rebuilt the V8 and kept gimmickry to a minimum; the only modification he’s opted for is Pertronix electronic ignition, which is discreetly housed within the existing distributor.
Following on from the secretive nature of its styling, the next surprise comes once you’re underway, because there’s none of the usual blood and thunder V8 soundtrack; in fact, it’s incredibly subdued. Induction roar gives way to a growl at higher revs, but it’s restrained to say the least under normal driving conditions. Likewise, those expecting this to be Rootes’ take on the Shelby Cobra will be disappointed. Breakneck acceleration is not the order of the day; rather the 4261cc (260ci if you prefer) V8 pulls strongly in a completely unruffled fashion. Maintain this smooth forward progress and you’ll waft all the way up to just short of 120mph.
The V8 is mated to a Borg-Warner four-speed all-synchro gearbox, whose lever is short and stiff in operation and seems to appreciate slower, more measured actions when stirring the ratios. Of course, the huge amount of torque (twice that of an Alpine) almost renders gearchanges an irrelevance; the Tiger pulls cleanly and strongly from as little as 1000rpm in top gear.
Steering is via a rack-and-pinion system that requires large inputs. It has a heavy feel at parking speeds, but becomes considerably lighter once on the move. The suspension set-up – coils at the front with half-elliptic leaf springs at the back and Armstrong dampers all round – results in a slightly choppy ride, balanced by a surefootedness in the corners.
There’s a busy feel to the way the suspension operates, which at times can fool you into thinking that you’re travelling faster than you really are, an illusion further reinforced by that understressed engine. However, the Tiger’s structure feels solid; the engine transplant also resulted in the shell being strengthened to eliminate much of the scuttle shake that plagued the Alpine on less than perfect road surfaces.
The interior is pleasantly appointed, as you would expect from a Rootes Group product. Chris reupholstered the exceedingly comfortable separate bucket seats during the car’s revival, and a profusion of classy Jaeger instruments are spread across an attractive facia of polished walnut veneer surrounded by beautifullytrimmed black padding and topped off by a simple two-spoke steering wheel.
Suitably acquainted with Chris’ car, it’s easy to be wowed by its flexibility, fun factor and how easy it is to drive. Anyone looking for a showy, rorty V8 bellow should perhaps look elsewhere, but as class acts go, this Anglo-American soft-top takes some beating.