Shoe-horning a powerful American V-8 engine into a small European sports car chassis was no small task, but it was all the rage for sports car enthusiasts in the 1960s. The Rootes Group, which owned Sunbeam, as well as Hillman, Humber, and Singer, wanted a car that would take advantage of the massive demand for these types of cars in North America. A prototype based on the Sunbeam Alpine was developed in conjunction with Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, and it quickly gained the approval of top brass at Rootes, who decided to produce the car at Jensen Motors in England. The Tiger was first available for purchase in the United States in 1964, and it was made available as a right-hand-drive model in its native market the following year.

While Sunbeam produced over 6,000 Mk I Tigers, only 536 Mk II variants were produced in 1967. The Mk II Sunbeam Tigers boasted a host of improvements over their predecessors, chief among which was the venerable Ford 289 V-8 engine that had made a name for itself in the Shelby Cobra. The additional horsepower provided by the 289 brought welcome performance improvements. Its top speed was 122 mph, and 0–60 mph took just 7.5 seconds. Stylistic changes included the addition of an egg-crate grille, with its distinctive “grille eyebrow”; lower body stripes; a stainless steel rocker panel and wheel-well moldings; Sunbeam script on the hood and trunk; rectangular reverse lights mounted underneath the rear bumper; an updated oil cooler; slightly revised headlight trim; and an upgraded interior that featured a burled walnut dashboard. Sadly, these would be the last of the Tigers, as the Rootes Group was bought out by Chrysler, and the company wouldn’t let a Ford V-8 exist in one of its products, nor did they have a V-8 in their repertoire that would fit in the Tiger’s diminutive chassis.

This 1967 Tiger Mk II was purchased by the current owner four years ago, and it has just completed a two-year ground-up restoration. It was an excellent candidate for a full restoration, as it boasted a rust-free body, it retained all its original trim and its original oil cooler, and it is a matching-number example, which has been verified by marque expert Norm Miller. It is important to note that this Tiger is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association, which is only granted following a thorough inspection of the car by three certified judges in the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association. Its restoration truly brought it to an incredible standard, and it looks exceptionally appealing in Forest Green, its original paint color. In addition to retaining its original tool kit, this Tiger boasts a trio of desirable LAT options, such as aluminum valve covers, aluminum wheels, and an aluminum intake, as well as a four-barrel Holley carburetor.

Many Sunbeam Tiger owners and enthusiasts liken their cars to being just as exciting to drive as early Shelby Cobras, and Sunbeam Tigers have even earned the nickname of a “Poor Man’s Cobra,” as they undeniably share of the same automotive DNA. Sunbeam Tigers are a rare sight today, and Mk II Tigers are rarer still, with only half of the 536 produced believe to be extant. As it features the vaunted Ford 289 V-8, the Mk IIs have proven to be the darling of the Tiger line, and it is quite difficult to find one in today’s market. Following an excellent full restoration to original specifications, the Tiger offered here would certainly be just as fantastic to drive as it is to look at.