Fantasy Junction

Description

1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mark II

Chassis No. – B382100275LRXFE
Exterior Color – Blue
Interior Color – Black
Engine – Ford 289 V8
Transmission – 4-Speed manual
Mileage – 93,781

Highlights of This Car

One of 536 Mark II examples produced
Restored in 2006 and mechanically sorted with excellent driving manners

General History

Carroll Shelby is credited with some of the most important sports cars ever built. But the beginning of his manufacturing career also involved another British/American sports car partnership. The Sunbeam Tiger provided enthusiasts a balanced lightweight platform (modified by legendary Ken Miles), a 260 and later 289 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. Just over 7,000 examples were constructed between 1964 and 1967, though just 536 of the Mark II series cars were produced, aimed primarily at the US market. 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) offered a wide array of highly desirable and rare components specifically built for these sought-after sports cars. The Mark II, the final iteration of the Tiger, is considered to be the most evolved of the Tiger series cars which benefited from the more potent 289 engine, an oil cooler, and unique design details.

History of This Car

This Tiger is one of the final 536 Mark II 289 V8 examples built. Assembled within the first half of production (December 1966-June 1967), this car is believed to have been delivered to the first owner, a resident of California. Of these rare Mark II series cars, fewer than 400 remaining examples today have been identified by Sunbeam Tiger experts. Purchased by the current owner in 1982, this car has remained in California under current ownership for the past 42 years.

The chassis tag decodes with the following details:

L – Left hand drive
R – Roadster
X – Non-standard
FE – Ford Engine

The production sequence number for the Mark II begins with B382100001, making this example the 274th car built between December 1966 and Jun 1967.

The current owner enjoyed the car for several years before commissioning a comprehensive restoration completed in 2006, performed by Tiger expert Paul Reisentz. During the restoration, the car was disassembled, the body stripped to bare metal, and portions of the chassis were tended to including replacement of the left frame rail (correct Alpine frame rail), adjoining metal work on the right frame rail and cowl, left frame rail to cowl metal repair, and x-member and A-arm reinforcement welding. Additional work included rebuilding the transmission and an engine rebuild performed by Paul Kodenko. In addition to Reisentz’ attention to detail and focus on authenticity, numerous specialist vendors participated in the restoration including body and paint work and parts provided by Sunbeam Specialties, Inc. and Victoria British Ltd, interior work by Pro-Prep Interiors, dashboard and instrument restoration, and rebuild for brakes, steering, and new hydraulic lines as needed. Restoration invoices include summary details such as cad plating for hardware, powder coating for the convertible top bows, suspension rebuild and refinishing, seat frame strengthening, and rebuilding for the Mark II oil cooler. The finished car was certified by the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association with a Certificate of Authenticity No. 0350, identified by the STOA triangle badge affixed to the underside portion of the dashboard.

Current Condition

Today this beautifully restored Mark II displays excellent finishes throughout. The correct blue finish is smooth and glossy and the unique Mark II details are very nicely finished including wheel opening trim, the unique egg-crate grille, distinctive Mark II Tiger badges, interior updates, and other unique features consistent with Mark II production. Although the restoration was completed 18 years ago, the car still exhibits fresh finishes and cohesive presentation. The body panels exhibit excellent fit and finish including the inner surfaces and underside panels all of which were given equal attention during the body and paint process. The chrome is in very good condition with minor hazing sports visible on the bumper top surfaces. The glass, lenses, and lighting are correct and handsomely finished along with the polished trim features. The car sits perfectly on a set of period correct LAT (Los Angeles Tiger) wheels shod with Vredestein 205/60 VR13 radial tires.

The interior is excellent in every respect including a beautifully finished, correct wood rimmed steering wheel, excellent dashboard with lacquered wood finish, and clean, clear instrumentation with correct, vivid nomenclature, and red needles. The black seats, dash padding, and door panels are beautifully contoured with correct fit and stitching. The matching black carpet is correctly trimmed and shows only minor evidence of use in the driver’s foot well. The convertible top is essentially new including a clear plastic rear window, excellent powder coated top bows, and firm latching to the windshield header. A matching black tonneau cover is included with the car. With a mere 600 miles driven by the current since the restoration was completed, this Tiger continues to display beautiful finishes throughout.

Under the hood, the correct 289 V8 has been beautifully and accurately detailed with correct features and correct accessories including chrome plated valve covers, the correct air cleaner with Hammerite finished bottom and top tray, the correct air filter element, correct hoses, correct clamps, and proper factory finishes performed to original specifications. The engine is outfitted with a Holley 4 bbl carburetor and sits atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. The trunk is correct in appearance, housing the battery (dated 2022) properly located in the rear tray alongside the spare tire, nestled beneath the removable trunk floor cover. The inner trunk is finished in matching blue, consistent with Tiger production for this series.

The underside of the car has been freshened during the restoration including suspension and engine finishes, sound floors including metal work performed on the frame and chassis pan during the restoration. Of note, the exhaust correctly exits the header collectors through the X member frame sections, terminating with angled dual exhaust tips exiting at the bottom of the rear bumper.

The car starts, stops, runs, and drives very well. Often restored Tigers require additional sorting for operational refinement, but in the case of this example, the car exhibits driving manners that are among the best we’ve seen for this series Tiger. Benefiting from the factory oil cooler, a feature of the Mark II, the car runs at correct operating temperatures, has great throttle response, and excellent brakes. The car accelerates to highway speeds with progressive acceleration, handles very well at higher speeds, and the suspension is very nicely balanced overall.

Included with This Car

This car is accompanied by restoration invoices with notations on the body, paint, and trim work, a black tonneau cover, a car cover, jack and tire changing tools, a spare wiper blade, numerous Tiger club publications, two Sunbeam Owners Handbooks, and various vintage publications featuring articles on the Tiger.

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