"Inspired by the AC Cobra that was effectively the British AC Ace sports car powered by the large American Ford 4.2 litre, V8, the Sunbeam Tiger first saw the light of day in 1964. Based upon the Rootes Group, Sunbeam Alpine, the Tiger - with the Ford power plant slotted into the engine bay, it became what is surely one of motoring's true 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. The tiger had a steering rack as one of the modifications by Shelby. Which made for precise handling
The present vendor purchased this FIA 260ci race prepared Mk. Ia Tiger in 1998 from Sweden. This Tiger was an original U.K. car and was first registered in the UK on 1st July 1966 where it had one keeper for 16 years, until it was sold and went to Sweden. After much preparation to the car, he initially entered it in the Manx Classic in 1999. After this it was regularly raced in the Anglo-American Challenge series until 2003. During this time, it participated in several hill climb events, including Shelsley Walsh and Prescott Hillclimb, where it won its class. During 2001/2002, the car was completely rebuilt and repainted Mediterranean Blue from its original colour of Artic White. Fresh from its rebuild, it won the 260ci class in the Sunbeam Challenge race in 2002. From 2004 to date, the owner has been successfully racing it in the mildly modified class in the Aston Martin Owners Club Intermarque Championship. Now running a 302ci engine, but retaining rear drum brakes, the car has won its class in the Championship since 2006 to 2013 and has also won the Championship outright, an unprecedented, four times in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011.
The present owner made sure the car had an MoT test certificate every year since he purchased it and until it was not necessary as a historic vehicle, which means that it is road legal! It has been displayed at the NEC Classic Car show on the Sunbeam Tiger Club stand and has been to several other club events. The engine is a Ford V8 302ci with Edelbrock RPM kit (the kit consists of matching Camshaft, Cylinder heads & Inlet Manifold). The crankshaft has been Nitrided, it has Keith Black pistons, I-beam con-rods, hydraulic lifters, roller rockers, high volume oil pump and a large volume sump with pick-up system. It is fitted with a Salisbury diff and has a four-speed top loader gearbox with Hurst shifter. The front suspension has a double wishbone with 600lb springs built by Robinson Race Cars, Koni adjustable shock absorbers and an adjustable anti-roll bar. This superb sports car is also fitted with MSD soft touch rev limiter (adjustable using different rated plug-in chips) and MSD shift light (adjustable using different rated plug-in chips) - these are just a few technical details this fabulous and quick road/race has but the full list can be seen in the history file."