Estimate: £25,000 - £30,000
Registration Number: SVN 226D
Chassis Number: B9473727
In 1964 Ian Garrad, Rootes’ West Coast USA Manager, came up with the idea of fitting a Ford V8 into the Series V Alpine to create a car that could finally take on the Jaguar E Type and Austin Healey 3000. Given that Carroll Shelby had conceived and developed the similarly Ford V8-powered AC Cobra, it was to the Texan racer that Rootes turned to produce the initial prototype before design development and production were handed to Jensen Motors.
On its public debut on October 31 1964 at the Turin Motor Show, the Tiger was duly well received and in road tests on both sides of the Atlantic it drew significant praise. Fitted with Ford's 4,261cc V8, producing 164bhp at 4,400rpm, it could top 120 mph with 0-60 mph taking just 7.8 seconds. The Tiger soon found its way onto the track and went on to enjoy much success, particularly in rallying where it effectively took over the mantle of the Big Healeys.
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