Inspired by the performance success of such cars as the Shelby Cobra, the Tiger continued the proven tradition of taking an American V-8 and putting it into an English sports car chassis. The Sunbeam Tiger, made by the Rootes Group, England, was the brainchild of their U.S. West Coast Sales Manager, Ian Garrad. Ian convinced Rootes to hire Carroll Shelby, the originator of the Shelby Cobra, to create a new model based on their Sunbeam Alpine roadster; a fire-breathing performance machine. Using a hopped-up small-block V-8, Shelby presented what was essentially a mini-Cobra. Weighing only 2,650 pounds, it was an effective performance result any sporting driver could not possibly complain about: 0– to 60-mph in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 124-mph.

Although it arguably may not be as widely known as the Shelby, the Sunbeam Tiger was broadcast into millions of American homes each week as it was the car Maxwell Smart drove to Control headquarters at the beginning of every episode of Get Smart.

This exhilarating roadster is driven by a 260-cid V-8 engine with aluminum valve covers and mated a floor-shift manual four-speed transmission. This stunning Tiger also has full instrumentation, interior wood trim elements, wood-rimmed steering wheel, dual exhaust, Pana Sport mag wheels and BFGoodrich T/A tires. It has been fully restored with a highly detailed engine bay, trunk and stunning red interior with white piping. It is like new in nearly every way. Tiger production ceased in 1967, with less than 7,000 total produced, and today are highly sought after for its remarkable performance and the obvious connection to Carroll Shelby. This would be a wonderful automobile to drive and enjoy, or to display in local shows with equal pride. It would also make a wonderful counterpoint to a Cobra, as an oft-forgotten part of the Shelby story.