Sunbeam - Sunbeam Tiger
A very different version of Sunbeam Alpine was the Sunbeam Tiger available from 1964. This had the Ford 4.3 litre V8 260 cubic inch engine under its bonnet - also referred to in period as the Alpine 260 V8. Shortly after in 1967, the larger 4.7 litre 289 cubic inch engine, the same as used in the Mustang went into the Tiger, but these larger capacity Mk2's were supplied strictly for the USA market only. The idea and persuasion for all this had come from Carroll Shelby, who had hoped to assemble these cars in the USA, but this did not materialise and instead Carol Shelby was paid a royalty on each car built. And there was a Jack Brabham connection in all this also. The Sunbeam Tiger had terrific straight line performance, but one issue when used on circuits were the small 13" wheels and consequently the small disc brakes and callipers fitted compactly, and shrouded, inside the wheel. Since Roots group was being courted by Chrysler, who eventually took over the Rootes Group, having their Ford rival engine powering one of their front line sports models did not appeal to the Chrysler board! And there wasn't a Chrysler engine that would fit in the engine bay. . . . The Sunbeam Tiger was built until 1967
Sunbeam Tiger original tyre fitment was 5.90x13 which is the radial 165R13 size, and Blockley makes the perfect 165HR13 tyre. However, most Sunbeam Tiger owners we have supplied to ask for the 185/70VR13 tyre size, a wider tyre which has the same diameter as a 165R13. See full details of these tyres at the links below.
