Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mark 1A

VIN – B382000874LRXFE
JAL No. – JAL660894
Engine No – 4402 F21KA
Exterior Color – White
Interior Color – Red
Engine – Ford 260 V8
Transmission – 4-Speed manual transmission
Mileage – 51,356 miles indicated
Current owner – Purchased in 2010

General History

Carroll Shelby is often credited with developing some of the most important sports cars of the 20th century. Yet the AC Cobra was not the only British car to be powered by a performance V8 engine and marketed as an American sports car. The Sunbeam Tiger provided enthusiasts a balanced lightweight platform (modified by legendary Ken Miles), a 260 Ford V8 engine, and contemporary styling based on the proven Sunbeam Alpine.

The first Tiger was built at Shelby American but later refined for production in England with roughly 7,000 examples constructed between 1964 and 1967. The Tiger was not only a refined and cleverly manufactured sports car, it proved to be highly capable in racing trim including three Tigers constructed for Le Mans, an endless series of successful Rally cars, and competitive privateer race cars both in the US and UK. Though commonly thought to be an Alpine with a performance engine, the Tiger was significantly different in construction and build including several period high-performance street and competition components offered from the Rootes Group Dealership “Los Angeles Tiger” (LAT) along with numerous support accessories available in California where the Tiger was very popular amongst performance enthusiasts.

History of This Car

This Tiger is one of 2,706 Mark 1A series cars built. Production sequence numbers indicate it to be an early series Mark 1A, the 873rd of the 2,706 produced before Series II 289 V8 Tiger production began in 1967. The body tag indicates the following information as stamped on the chassis tag:

L – Left Hand Drive
R – Roadster
X – Non-Standard
FE – Ford Engine

Completed in 1966, this Tiger was sold and titled as a 1967 model year Roots, referencing the exclusive Rootes Group dealers for North American distribution. Originally finished in color code 92, Arctic White, and trimmed with a red interior, the majority of 1966 Tigers ordered in North America and finished in white were only delivered with black interiors. However, customers could order the red interior via the PanAm Fly Away program or through a UK based dealer. This made original white over red cars quite rare for the time.

This example was initially restored by a Tiger expert in Los Angeles, CA who by 2002 applied for a certificate of authenticity from the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association who certified the car on June 29, 2002. After the restoration was completed, this Tiger was sold to a resident of Northern California who engaged Tiger expert Bill Martin to correct some of the assembly items to improve the authenticity of the restoration. In 2010, the prior owner moved to New Mexico and sold the car to the current owner. The current owner showed the car at various events including the Hillsborough and Palo Alto concours as well as the 2014 Concours on the Avenues, Carmel where the car placed 2nd in the Tiger class consisting of 14 cars.

Current Condition and Ownership

Beautifully finished in all respects and restored to a high level of detail, this Sunbeam Tiger presents in excellent condition throughout. The white finish is smooth and lustrous and shows excellent gloss on all body panels. The bodywork is superb with fine panel fit, excellent underside and door jamb finishes, and engine compartment finishes detailed to equal quality. The glass, lenses, and trim are particularly fine along with straight polished stainless features, correct emblems, Rootes Group rear fender emblems, and correct upright tail lights. The chrome is excellent in all areas with brilliant reflections throughout. The car sits on a matched set of 13” Panasport wheels wearing 185/70R13 Sumitomo HTR T4 tires. The black convertible vinyl top is also in excellent condition, and the optional black hardtop included with the car has been finished with matching quality and finishes consistent with the exterior.


The interior is quite nice, particularly so trimmed in the rare red color combination. Everything is as one might expect from a Tiger as though it were delivered new. The wood rim steering wheel, excellent dashboard padding, gorgeous, lacquered wood finish, and superb instrumentation are a delight to behold. The bucket seats are expertly finished with Mark IA series pleating, correctly stitched door cards, properly fit carpets with perimeter beading, and excellent fit to the rear storage panels. A set of black lap belts are installed. The convertible soft top is present, in excellent condition, and fits tight to the windshield when positioned and latched in place. Of note, the 4-speed manual gear selector sits prominently in the center tunnel just forward of a convenient matching red center console and ashtray.

The trunk is correct in appearance, housing a modern battery properly located in the rear tray alongside the spare tire, nestled beneath the trunk floor cover. Even the correct factory snap strap is in place to hold the trunk floor in the hinged-up position when accessing the spare tire. Trunk finishes are also correctly done and an original jack, tire changing tools, tool roll and tools complete the trunk accessories.

Under the hood, the 260 V8 has been beautifully and accurately detailed with correct features, period correct accessories, and correct engine block blue finish. Details of note include a properly finished air cleaner with Hammerlite top and bottom tray, a correct air filter element, chrome plated valve covers, factory type hoses and clamps, and authentic engine compartment finishes per original assembly. As Tigers are often modified or upgraded to owner preferences, it’s refreshing to find this example finished to original specifications per 1966 assembly.


The underside of the car is in excellent condition exhibiting finishes consistent with original specifications. The suspension, rack and pinion steering, leaf springs, front disc brakes, and other features are correct and accurate for Mark 1A series Tigers, though a set of desirable front and rear Spax gas shock absorbers have been installed which improve the overall ride and handling. Dual exhaust exits the exhaust manifolds and travels through the X member (unique to Tiger construction), terminating with dual exhaust tips under the rear bumper. Wearing an original California black and yellow license plate, believed to have been assigned to this car when delivered, the body panels, chassis, and floor remain in excellent condition largely due to the dry California climate this car has known for more than 50 years.

An absolute delight to drive, this Tiger starts easily and welcomes any enthusiast with the warm burble of a potent V8 engine. Acceleration is brisk and progressive, all gears shift easily, and the clutch takes up smoothly. Everything about this Tiger is engaging, well-balanced, and ready for the next owner to enjoy.

Included with This Car

This Tiger is accompanied by a hardtop, a hardtop stand, a set of tools and tool roll, a set of hubcaps and ventilated wheel trim rings, a workshop manual and owner’s manual, a Sunbeam Rootes Division/Chrysler brochure, and a boxed set of “Tiger Tail” trunk and rear fender stripes.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608