Classic British Roadster, Shelby-Developed Ford V8.

The Sunbeam Tiger is one of the most celebrated and potent Anglo-American hybrids of the 1960s. The idea was born on the West Coast of the USA when Rootes Group executive Ian Garrad sought to inject some American muscle into the stylish but underpowered British Sunbeam Alpine roadster. Recognizing the success of the AC Cobra, Garrad enlisted Carroll Shelby to develop a prototype, famously challenging him to shoehorn a V8 engine into the Alpine's tight engine bay. The resulting car—dubbed the "Tiger"—was a successful marriage of lightweight European handling and brutal American V8 torque.

The Tiger went into production in 1964 and proved an immediate success in North America. The first version, the Mk I, utilized the Ford 260 cubic inch (4.3-liter) V8 engine, generating 164 horsepower in stock tune and delivering a thrilling 0-60 mph time under eight seconds. The Mk IA, introduced in 1966, was an interim model that incorporated minor refinements from the concurrent Sunbeam Alpine Series V, primarily featuring square-cornered doors and revised cabin ventilation. Production was limited, with the Mk IA series accounting for only 2,706 units built between August 1965 and February 1966.

This specific vehicle, chassis B9473369, is a documented example of the desirable 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I, a highly sought-after phase produced prior to the Mk IA designation., though it was built during the 1966 model year. This roadster is powered by the period-correct 260 cubic inch (4.3L) Ford V8 engine and is paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox, a combination that cemented the car's reputation as a "baby Cobra."

The exterior of this Tiger is presented with the classic roadster lines largely unchanged from the Alpine, save for subtle badging. Crucial features include the removable factory hardtop and the folding soft top. The interior retains the simple yet sporty cockpit design, complete with burled walnut dash veneer, Jaeger instrumentation, and the original-style wood-rimmed steering wheel. The car is equipped with Girling power front disc brakes, which were necessary to manage the significant increase in V8 performance over the standard Alpine.

The Tiger's production was abruptly cut short in 1967 when Chrysler purchased the Rootes Group and did not have a suitable V8 to replace the Ford unit, resulting in a total production run of just over 7,000 cars. This brevity adds significantly to the model's collectibility. Vehicles like this one, which often come accompanied by a Sunbeam Tiger Owners' Association (STOA) Certificate of Authenticity, are highly valued as a pure, early expression of the V8-powered British sports car legend.