A review of The Sunbeam Tiger Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of this the eighth model in the Sunbeam range. In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Sunbeam Tiger, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1964 to 1967. Launched in 1959, the 4-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine Series 1 sports car gained a solid reputation for its comfort and handling, both on and off the track.
However, in terms of performance, it was sadly lacking.
Rootsrealized that it needed more power, but did not have a suitable alternative engine. Since their financial position was deteriorating owing to crippling strikes, the idea of designing a new engine was out of the question. They therefore approached Ferrari to redesign the current engine since they felt that being associated with such a prestigious carmaker would have enormous benefits.
Unfortunately, in the end, negotiations came to nothing.
To complicate matters, in late 1962, the racing driver Jack Braham had suggested adding a Ford V8 engine to the Alpine. Sadly, at that time, this idea fell on unsympathetic ears at Roots. The concept of putting a large American engine into a small European car was not new, and had been accomplished with such models as the Nash-Healey and the Face Vega. Indeed, the most successful of such marriages was when Carroll Shelby fitted a Ford V8 engine into an 메이저사이트 car to produce the celebrated AC Cobra. Ian Garrard, a Roots American Motors Manager, had found that most of the alternative engines he had considered were too large, and simply would not fit into the Alpine engine bay.
The solution was found in the form of the 260 cubic inch Ford V8 engine used in the Ford Falcon saloon.
This unmodified engine developed 164 bop at 4400 rpm, and offered considerable potential to increase the output by the addition of a four barrel carburetor, and modifying the intake manifold. Garrard then approached Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, both legends on the racing circuits, who both agreed to work independently on the project. In May 1963, with a budget of $800, Miles was given an Alpine Series 2, a Ford Falcon engine, and a two speed automatic gearbox and produced a working V8 conversion in only a week. His prototype made use of a number of the Alpine’s components, including the recirculation ball steering.
On the other hand, Shelby’s prototype involved:
The engine was moved backwards in order to provide better weight distribution Firewall, transmission tunnel, and the car’s rear section were all modified Rack and pinion steering replaced the recirculation ball unit. A four speed manual gearbox was added. Cooling system was revised. Twin exhausts were fabricated
A Salisbury rear axle was added
The Shelby prototype was finally chosen, and was designated the name Thunderbolt. The Ford V8 engine was only 3.5 inches longer than the unit it replaced and, consequently, was a tight fit in the Alpine’s engine bay. In July 1963, following 40,000 miles of testing, the Shelby prototype was shipped to the UK for Lord Roots and his team to assess.