A review of The Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2 Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of this the ninth model in the Sunbeam range.
In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period January to June 1967.
The Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2
When the Mark 1A was discontinued in December 1966, it was succeeded, a month later, by the Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2 sports car.
The main feature of this model was that of the engine, which was a bored out version of the 260 cubic inch with a longer stroke.
The modified engine, whose capacity was now 289 cubic inches (4.7 litre), developed 200 bhp at 4400 rpm.
Other characteristics of the Mark 2 included:
- A new “eggcrate” grille design, consisting of horizontal slats instead of a single horizontal bar, and was the distinguishing feature of the Mark 2
- The chrome strip and Tiger badge on both wings were removed and replaced with a stainless steel molding
In essence, apart from the larger engine, redesigned grille, and the speed stripes, the Mark 2 sports car was very similar to the Mark 1A.
The new model, unavailable in the UK, was marketed specifically for export to the US, where it was designated the Tiger 2.
By this time, Chrysler had taken over control of Rootes Group, and the badge displaying “Powered by Ford 260” was replaced by one saying “Sunbeam V8”.
Featuring the 289 cubic inch engine, and being produced in such small numbers, the Mark 2 was probably regarded as the most desirable.
Although it still retained a Ford twin choke carburettor, the Mark 2 differed from its predecessors as follows:
- Compression ratio was increased from 8.8 to 9.3:1
- Upgraded valve springs to overcome the problem faced with the 260 cubic inch engine
- Engine oil cooler
- Dynamo was replaced by an alternator
- A larger, hydraulically operated, single dry plate clutch
- Wider gearbox ratios
- Redesign of the back axle
- Chrome strips down the side were replaced with speed stripes
- Radiator grille was modified
- Removal of the headlight cowls
The Tiger’s cramped engine bay created a number of problems, including:
- Spark plugs on the left hand side were only reached by way of a hole in the bulkhead, covered by a rubber bung
- The oil filter had to be repositioned from the lower left of the block to higher up on the right, behind the generator
The Mark 2 sports car was phased out in June 1967 after only 536 units had been built.
This meant that a total of 7,085 Sunbeam Tigers, covering Mark 1, 1A, and 2, were produced in nearly three years.
Replica Tigers
During the 1970’s, many inexpensive, second hand Alpines were available, which allowed individuals and others to convert them into Sunbeam Tigers.
The problem, at that time, was how to recognise these conversions.
The solution was the International Registry of Sunbeam Tigers which held data on each genuine Tiger, such as engine/chassis number and current ownership, where known.
Furthermore, the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association used a unique method in which the body shell was studied in order to identify assembly techniques specific to a Tiger.
The result was that once a car had been verified as being an original Tiger, a non removable, permanent registration tag was attached to an unobtrusive body panel.
The End Of The Tiger
By 1964, the financial position at Rootes Group was becoming very serious.
At the same time, Chrysler was looking to strengthen its position in Europe and so, in June 1964, it acquired a non controlling stake in Rootes.
By 1967, they were allowed, by the UK Government, to take a full controlling interest.
One of the engines that Rootes Group considered for the Tiger was the 3.5 litre, aluminium, V8 unit owned by General Motors.
However, this option was removed when Rover acquired the engine.
Following the takeover, Chrysler’s plan was to install their own 273 cubic inch V8 engine into the Sunbeam Tiger, since it had already been used in the Dart and Barracuda saloons.
Unfortunately, they encountered the following problems:
- Their own small block 273 cubic inch, V8 engine would not fit in the Tiger’s engine bay since the distributor was positioned at the rear, whilst that of the Ford V8 was in the front
- Their big block V8 had a distributor at the front, but it was too large
Realising that it would cost too much to modify the engine bay of the Tiger to accept their 273 cubic inch V8, Chrysler decided to phase out the Tiger once the current stock of Ford V8 engines had been exhausted.
In the meantime, Chrysler added their own logo to the car’s existing badges, and removed all reference to Ford in their Sales literature.
Consequently, the last Sunbeam Tiger Mark 3 sports car was assembled by Jensen on 27th June 1967.
The Racing Tiger
In 1964, three highly modified, production Tigers were fitted with fastback bodies built by LIster Cars, who were renowned for the Lister Jaguar, and entered in the Le Mans 24 hour race, where they were timed at over 160 mph.
Based on the Alpine Series 4, Carroll Shelby was asked to build a stateside racing Tiger, which duly won the 1964 SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Class B Pacific Coast Championship at Willow Springs, where it beat Jaguars, Stingrays, and Cobras.
Later, the car was reassigned to the Hollywood Sports Car dealership.
In 1965, its first race with them was the Santa Barbara Road Race, in which it gained a Class B win.
Later that year, it finished third in the SCCA Pacific Coast Division.
It was also raced on drag strips, and for two years, held the National Title of the American Hot Rod Association.
It was entered in European Rallies, and took the first three positions in the 1964 Geneva Rally.
In the 1965 Monte Carlo rally, two Tigers were entered, and finished in 4th and 11th positions.
By 1966, following the Acropolis Rally in which it came first in its class, the sports car was no longer entered in rough terrain competitions, since its low slung construction was not suited to these conditions.
This marked the end of the Sunbeam Tiger Mark 2
Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:
Which Sunbeam Sports Car is Your Favourite?
However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Sunbeam sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1948 to 1967.
I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane”.
