Sunbeam Tiger Mk I
A compact Sunbeam Alpine body gained a Ford V8, then crossed the Atlantic as a little British roadster with a much bigger voice.
1964 Britain Sunbeam Tiger Mk I · sv1ambo · CC BY 2.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
Ian Garrad and Carroll Shelby helped turn the idea of a V8-powered Alpine into a production project. Shelby was retained in March 1963, Lord Rootes approved the prototype that July, and the code-named Thunderbolt reached the New York International Auto Show as the Tiger in April 1964. Rootes commissioned Jensen in West Bromwich to build the cars. The Mk I used Ford's 260-cubic-inch V8; the larger 289 belonged to the later Mk II. Although it was a British-built car, the Tiger did not enter the UK retail market until March 1965, so this 1964 profile is explicitly the North American launch version.
Look a little closer.
The project name was Thunderbolt before Rootes chose Tiger, recalling the 1926 Sunbeam land-speed-record car.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Nine months from approval to show stand
Rootes approved Shelby's prototype in July 1963 and presented the production idea in New York the following April. That speed did not mean the car skipped company testing: a period Rootes account describes prototype work in Britain, continental Europe and North Africa before production. Jensen then handled series manufacture because Rootes lacked capacity.
Source: Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club · development history ↗The chassis had to support the engine
The launch specification paired the 260 V8 with independent front suspension, semi-elliptic rear leaf springs, rack-and-pinion steering and servo-assisted Girling brakes. The period brochure gives dimensions and brake sizes, while FIA records independently identify a 4,260 cc, eight-cylinder, rear-drive Tiger I homologated in July 1964.
Source: Rootes Motors · The Tale of the Tiger period brochure ↗Where these facts come from
- Rootes Motors · The Tale of the Tiger period brochure and launch specification
- FIA Historic Database · Sunbeam Tiger homologation records
- Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club · development, production and market timeline
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 2, 2026.