Chassis No. B382100351LRXFE

Engine No. 1972-A11KK

Body No. JAL-700265

In the post-war era, automotive history had a thrilling moment when the term "hybrid" referred not to electric drivetrains but to a unique blend of style and performance. Specifically, it described the combination of a European body and chassis with the raw power of an American V8 engine. One notable example of this hybrid approach was the Sunbeam Tiger. Much like the Shelby Cobra, with which it shares some parental lineage, the Sunbeam Tiger was based on the Rootes Group's compact Alpine sports car but was fitted with Ford's potent 260 small-block V8 engine. This powerful combination of a short-wheelbase sports car, a four-speed transmission, and a robust V8 engine created an exhilarating driving experience, unlike anything most motorists had encountered before. Over the first two years of production, around 6,500 units of the Tiger were built. In 1967, the car was upgraded with the 289 small-block V8, resulting in the Sunbeam Tiger Mk II.

The Tiger Authentication Committee Certificate shows this car was certified as a factory original example in 1994. At the time of certification, the car was noted as being finished in Blackberry, but a comprehensive restoration has returned the car to its originally specified shade of Forest Green. The photo-documented restoration shows that it began in bare metal. With the Ford 289 cu-in V8 removed to restore the engine compartment, this provided the ideal opportunity to repaint and rebuild the engine itself. The braking, cooling, and suspension systems were also reconditioned to original specifications. Inside, the Black interior was restored, along with the Jaeger gauges housed in the walnut dashboard and optional Rootes radio.

Today, this Sunbeam stands as a comprehensively restored example of the one-year-only Ford 289 cu-in V8-powered Tiger. This highly sought-after combination of lightweight English construction and brute American power is offered in its original colors. It is now being publicly offered for the first time in over 50 years, having reportedly resided with a single family from 1971 to 2024.