cobrakidz
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The "Significant Seven" from SUNI IV in Park City, Utah, 1994 included clockwise from left: original 1925 Sunbeam Tiger; 1965 Sports Car Forum factory-backed racer; '66 Targa Florio Rally Car; Shelby American prototype; Ken Miles prototype; Lister-built '64 Le Mans Coupe; Alan Frasier-prepared "Monster" race car
Colorado Springs, CO -- The Mustang isn't the only Ford-powered sporty car celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. When Carroll Shelby worked his Cobra magic again, stuffing a small-block Ford V8 into British Sunbeam's Alpine roadster, the Tiger prototype was born and subsequently built from 1964-67 by Sunbeam parent Rootes Group which contracted the Jensen factory for the build.
The potent design was campaigned by Shelby American on the racetrack, and two Lister-built fastback coupes raced at Le Mans in 1964 but were DNFs. The cars also were raced in European rallies and on American dragstrips, where a Tiger held the AHRA class record for two years with a 12.95sec pass at 108mph. More than 7,000 Tigers were built by Rootes in England, most being the Series I with a 260cid powerplant, upgraded in the Series II in 1967 to Ford's 289cid V8. When Chrysler took over the Rootes Group that year, production ceased as Chrysler had no suitable engine to replace the Ford unit.
The Tiger faithful gather every five years (since 1989) to celebrate their favorite ride, and this year to fete the 50th, Sunbeam owners will gather in Colorado Springs, CO, June 30-July 4 for SUNI VI (Sunbeams United National International). The owner convention welcomes all Sunbeam owners, not just Tigers, along with other Rootes Group marque owners, including Sunbeam Alpines, Imps and Rapiers, Sunbeam-Talbots, Singers, Hillmans and Humbers. Attendees who choose to arrive early can spectate at the 92nd Pikes Peak Hill Climb on June 29. Other activities scheduled include an autocross at Pikes Peak International Raceway and paced track laps, along with area driving tours.
Featured guests at the confab will include renowned automotive writer Graham Robson, who's penned "Cars of the Rootes Group," "Sunbeam Alpine & Tiger -- The Complete Story," and "Rootes Maestros" among his 130 titles. Also guesting will be ex-works rally driver Rosemary Smith, outright winner of the 1965 Tulip Rally while wheeling an Imp. Historic Tigers confirmed include the No. 9 Le Mans coupe, the No. 192 Targa Florio Tiger and the No. 74 Sports Car Forum Tiger. Organizers promise ample space to park tow vehicles and trailers at the h.q. hotel, the Colorado Springs Marriott.
Colorado Springs, CO -- The Mustang isn't the only Ford-powered sporty car celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. When Carroll Shelby worked his Cobra magic again, stuffing a small-block Ford V8 into British Sunbeam's Alpine roadster, the Tiger prototype was born and subsequently built from 1964-67 by Sunbeam parent Rootes Group which contracted the Jensen factory for the build.
The potent design was campaigned by Shelby American on the racetrack, and two Lister-built fastback coupes raced at Le Mans in 1964 but were DNFs. The cars also were raced in European rallies and on American dragstrips, where a Tiger held the AHRA class record for two years with a 12.95sec pass at 108mph. More than 7,000 Tigers were built by Rootes in England, most being the Series I with a 260cid powerplant, upgraded in the Series II in 1967 to Ford's 289cid V8. When Chrysler took over the Rootes Group that year, production ceased as Chrysler had no suitable engine to replace the Ford unit.
The Tiger faithful gather every five years (since 1989) to celebrate their favorite ride, and this year to fete the 50th, Sunbeam owners will gather in Colorado Springs, CO, June 30-July 4 for SUNI VI (Sunbeams United National International). The owner convention welcomes all Sunbeam owners, not just Tigers, along with other Rootes Group marque owners, including Sunbeam Alpines, Imps and Rapiers, Sunbeam-Talbots, Singers, Hillmans and Humbers. Attendees who choose to arrive early can spectate at the 92nd Pikes Peak Hill Climb on June 29. Other activities scheduled include an autocross at Pikes Peak International Raceway and paced track laps, along with area driving tours.
Featured guests at the confab will include renowned automotive writer Graham Robson, who's penned "Cars of the Rootes Group," "Sunbeam Alpine & Tiger -- The Complete Story," and "Rootes Maestros" among his 130 titles. Also guesting will be ex-works rally driver Rosemary Smith, outright winner of the 1965 Tulip Rally while wheeling an Imp. Historic Tigers confirmed include the No. 9 Le Mans coupe, the No. 192 Targa Florio Tiger and the No. 74 Sports Car Forum Tiger. Organizers promise ample space to park tow vehicles and trailers at the h.q. hotel, the Colorado Springs Marriott.
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