The Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2 Sports activities Automotive
A assessment of The Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2 Sports activities Automotive, protecting improvement, essential options, and technical information of this the ninth mannequin within the Sunbeam vary.On this Article, I supply a nostalgic have a look at the Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2, considered one of an elite group of basic vehicles, which was manufactured in the course of the interval January to June 1967.The Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2When the Mark 1A was discontinued in December 1966, it was succeeded, a month later, by the Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2 sports activities automobile.The primary characteristic of this mannequin was that of the engine, which was a bored out model of the 260 cubic inch with an extended stroke.The modified engine, whose capability was now 289 cubic inches (four.7 litre), developed 200 bhp at 4400 rpm.Different traits of the Mark 2 included:
A brand new “eggcrate” grille design, consisting of horizontal slats as a substitute of a single horizontal bar, and was the distinguishing characteristic of the Mark 2
The chrome strip and Tiger badge on each wings have been eliminated and changed with a stainless-steel molding
In essence, other than the bigger engine, redesigned grille, and the velocity stripes, the Mark 2 sports activities automobile was similar to the Mark 1A.The brand new mannequin, unavailable within the UK, was marketed particularly for export to the US, the place it was designated the Tiger 2.By this time, Chrysler had taken over management of Rootes Group, and the badge displaying “Powered by Ford 260” was changed by one saying “Sunbeam V8”.That includes the 289 cubic inch engine, and being produced in such small numbers, the Mark 2 was most likely considered probably the most fascinating.Though it nonetheless retained a Ford twin choke carburettor, the Mark 2 differed from its predecessors as follows:
Compression ratio was elevated from eight.eight to 9.three:1
Upgraded valve springs to beat the issue confronted with the 260 cubic inch engine
Engine oil cooler
Dynamo was changed by an alternator
A bigger, hydraulically operated, single dry plate clutch
Wider gearbox ratios
Redesign of the again axle
Chrome strips down the aspect have been changed with velocity stripes
Radiator grille was modified
Elimination of the headlight cowls
The Tiger’s cramped engine bay created numerous issues, together with:
Spark plugs on the left hand aspect have been solely reached by means of a gap within the bulkhead, coated by a rubber bung
The oil filter needed to be repositioned from the decrease left of the block to larger up on the best, behind the generator
The Mark 2 sports activities automobile was phased out in June 1967 after solely 536 items had been constructed.This meant whole of seven,085 Sunbeam Tigers, protecting Mark 1, 1A, and a pair of, have been produced in almost three years.Duplicate TigersDuring the 1970’s, many cheap, second hand Alpines have been out there, which allowed people and others to transform them into Sunbeam Tigers.The issue, at the moment, was find out how to recognise these conversions.The answer was the Worldwide Registry of Sunbeam Tigers which held information on every real Tiger, similar to engine/chassis quantity and present possession, the place identified.Moreover, the Sunbeam Tiger Homeowners Affiliation used a singular methodology wherein the physique shell was studied with a view to establish meeting strategies particular to a Tiger.The consequence was that when a automobile had been verified as being an authentic Tiger, a non detachable, everlasting registration tag was hooked up to an unobtrusive physique panel.The Finish Of The TigerBy 1964, the monetary place at Rootes Group was changing into very severe.On the similar time, Chrysler was trying to strengthen its place in Europe and so, in June 1964, it acquired a non controlling stake in Rootes.By 1967, they have been allowed, by the UK Authorities, to take a full controlling curiosity.One of many engines that Rootes Group thought-about for the Tiger was the three.5 litre, aluminium, V8 unit owned by Common Motors.Nonetheless, this feature was eliminated when Rover acquired the engine.Following the takeover, Chrysler’s plan was to put in their very own 273 cubic inch V8 engine into the Sunbeam Tiger, because it had already been used within the Dart and Barracuda saloons.Sadly, they encountered the next issues:
Their very own small block 273 cubic inch, V8 engine wouldn’t match within the Tiger’s engine bay for the reason that distributor was positioned on the rear, while that of the Ford V8 was within the entrance
Their huge block V8 had a distributor on the entrance, however it was too massive
Realising that it could price an excessive amount of to change the engine bay of the Tiger to simply accept their 273 cubic inch V8, Chrysler determined to section out the Tiger as soon as the present inventory of Ford V8 engines had been exhausted.Within the meantime, Chrysler added their very own emblem to the automobile’s current badges, and eliminated all reference to Ford of their Gross sales literature.Consequently, the final Sunbeam Tiger Mark three sports activities automobile was assembled by Jensen on 27th June 1967.The Racing TigerIn 1964, three extremely modified, manufacturing Tigers have been fitted with fastback our bodies constructed by LIster Automobiles, who have been famend for the Lister Jaguar, and entered within the Le Mans 24 hour race, the place they have been timed at over 160 mph.
Primarily based on the Alpine Sequence four, Carroll Shelby was requested to construct a stateside racing Tiger, which duly gained the 1964 SCCA (Sports activities Automotive Membership of America) Class B Pacific Coast Championship at Willow Springs, the place it beat Jaguars, Stingrays, and Cobras.Later, the automobile was reassigned to the Hollywood Sports activities Automotive dealership.In 1965, its first race with them was the Santa Barbara Street Race, wherein it gained a Class B win.Later that 12 months, it completed third within the SCCA Pacific Coast Division.It was additionally raced on drag strips, and for 2 years, held the Nationwide Title of the American Scorching Rod Affiliation.It was entered in European Rallies, and took the primary three positions within the 1964 Geneva Rally.Within the 1965 Monte Carlo rally, two Tigers have been entered, and completed in 4th and 11th positions.By 1966, following the Acropolis Rally wherein it got here first in its class, the sports activities automobile was not entered in tough terrain competitions, since its low slung development was not suited to those circumstances.This marked the top of the Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2Perhaps this stroll down reminiscence lane may need answered, or a minimum of make clear, a potential query:Which Sunbeam Sports activities Automotive is Your Favorite?Nonetheless, ought to this query nonetheless stay unanswered, I will probably be reviewing, in some element, in future articles inside this web site, the whole vary of Sunbeam sports activities vehicles which have been featured within the memorable period spanning 1948 to 1967.I hope you be a part of me in my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane”.