OT: Somebody Slap Me Before It's Too Late!, What do you know about the Sunbeam Tiger ? |
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OT: Somebody Slap Me Before It's Too Late!, What do you know about the Sunbeam Tiger ? |
rick 918-S |
Oct 25 2006, 07:01 PM
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#21
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Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 20,836 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region |
:echo on: Foul handling, under braked, over powered, flex chassis, Lucas electrics, foot cooker (over size 9 won't fit), harsh riding POS. Buy it!!!!!! nice examples are moving up the value chain. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Buy it! specially if it's cheap. |
Flat VW |
Oct 25 2006, 07:13 PM
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#22
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Illegal Soapbox Derby Racecar Group: Members Posts: 1,692 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Phoenix, AZ Member No.: 3,105 |
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Dave_Darling |
Oct 25 2006, 08:28 PM
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#23
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914 Idiot Group: Members Posts: 15,067 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona Member No.: 121 Region Association: Northern California |
Foul handling, under braked, over powered, flex chassis, Lucas electrics, foot cooker (over size 9 won't fit), harsh riding POS. Buy it!!!!!! Yeaaaaah!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I want one of those myself. Don't have anywhere to keep it, nor any money to buy it, but I still want one! They seem to have gotten well past the depreciation stage, and are appreciating relatively quickly. If you don't get one now, you may not be able to afford one later... At least, that's the message I get from the "car collector" mags. --DD |
propricer |
Oct 25 2006, 08:38 PM
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#24
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Member Group: Members Posts: 365 Joined: 16-April 04 From: Morgan Hill, CA Member No.: 1,938 |
Buy / build a 914-8 ... more performance / less money.
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markb |
Oct 25 2006, 08:43 PM
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#25
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914less :( Group: Members Posts: 5,449 Joined: 22-January 03 From: Nipomo, CA Member No.: 180 Region Association: Central California |
IIRC, engine fitment was aquired by giving a big guy a sledgehammer & telling him to go at it while standing in the engine compartment. No joke. Also, IIRC, Carroll Shelby was the designer of the prototypes.
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Slowpoke |
Oct 25 2006, 08:49 PM
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#26
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Member Group: Members Posts: 116 Joined: 1-June 03 From: Tucson, AZ Member No.: 768 |
I owned a 66 Tiger in the 69-70 time frame. It was a great little car. It never broke down on me. It had plenty of power and I always like the way the shifter vibrated when I was getting on it. I still have the owners manual and warranty book around here somewhere. My understanding of them is that they have a really bad habit of rusting in areas where you can not get to. It seems like the rocker panels are triple walled or something like that. Really check it good for rust in the frame and rocker panel area. It serious money to get that area fixed correctly. Make sure you get all the orignal parts that came with the car, if your into getting crazy money for it later. I think the Triumph TR8 is a much better deal for the money, cuz Tigers generally go for more than I would pay for one. Those TR8's can be bought for less than 5K in nice condition. Oh, I sold mine for $1700 in 1970, that seems like a mistake today.
What killed the car was Chrysler bought out Rootes Group to get the car that became the Plymouth Arrow, and they tried to put a small Chrysler engine in the Tiger and it didn't fit. At least that's the way I remember it. I could be wrong also I guess. |
jimtab |
Oct 25 2006, 09:03 PM
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#27
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,477 Joined: 5-January 03 From: Pacifica, California Member No.: 91 Region Association: Northern California |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) My best friend had a '65 when we were in college(65-69) and he was working at Lockeed...he had the money to doll it up, bought it used with like 20k on the clock...drove it for a couple months and said ....too slow...went to the Ford hotrod guys and said I want it to go fast...they said how fast, he said really fast, they said ...how much money do you have...long story short it ended up with a 292 hi-rise setup and 2 big 4bbl carbs...and it was FAST. I drove it a couple days a week off and on when we traded cars(the guy was wierd for 356 cars) and it handled. When he did the engine he did cobra brakes and some suspension upgrades. And, they do handle...but you steer with the throttle, the wheel just gets things started...and they're ass happy, and more power doesn't help that. The hotfoot is true, very true. Parts can be tough but Alpines make donor cars except for the lump. If the price is even reasonable...buy it, they are more fun than a barrel of titties when you're driving them. And, hell, it was good enough for Maxwell Smart.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
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boxstr |
Oct 25 2006, 09:28 PM
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#28
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MEMBER:PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION Group: Members Posts: 7,522 Joined: 25-December 02 From: OREGON Member No.: 12 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Very collectable, if it does not need major rust repair and the price is right , I would buy it. Enjoy it and drive it. Then when you get tired of it sell and make some profit.
I had one many years ago, wish I had it back along with the Lotus Super 7, Frog eye Sprite and E type Jag convertile. Someone mentioned the Sunbeam Tiger registry, http://www.rootes1.com/index.asp get in touch with them and see if the Vin is on their records it will help you follow the history of the car. Good luck and have fun. Craig |
drew365 |
Oct 25 2006, 09:31 PM
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#29
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These are the good old days! Group: Members Posts: 2,004 Joined: 29-December 02 From: Sunny So. Cal. Member No.: 37 |
I owned a '67 Mark II. That was the last year, it had the Ford 289 and a little 5 point Chrysler emblem on the lower fender. A real hybrid. I owned it from about '86 to '91. I loved it and still miss it to this day. Most of what has been posted is true. If I got stuck in traffic on a hot summer day my feet would feel like they were going to melt. I ran it one year at the Virginia City Hillclimb, it would go like hell between corners but the rear suspension would bounce the drive tire up and down like a basketball trying to power out of a corner. Put the top down and go cruising on a summer evening and memories would be made to keep for a lifetime. I think it was the first car I ever bought and sold at a profit.
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Flat VW |
Oct 25 2006, 10:29 PM
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#30
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Illegal Soapbox Derby Racecar Group: Members Posts: 1,692 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Phoenix, AZ Member No.: 3,105 |
They were somewhat comfortable to sit in( if you were Billy Barty ) Who the H*ll is, (or was) Billy Barty? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) John |
Howard |
Oct 25 2006, 10:36 PM
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#31
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Incontin(g)ent Member Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,785 Joined: 24-July 03 From: Westlake Village, CA Member No.: 943 Region Association: None |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) and google Billy Barty
Attached image(s) |
Cap'n Krusty |
Oct 25 2006, 10:37 PM
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#32
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
They were somewhat comfortable to sit in( if you were Billy Barty ) Who the H*ll is, (or was) Billy Barty? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) John An actor, one who is seriously vertically challenged. The Cap'n |
Flat VW |
Oct 25 2006, 10:43 PM
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#33
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Illegal Soapbox Derby Racecar Group: Members Posts: 1,692 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Phoenix, AZ Member No.: 3,105 |
I googled Sunbeam and this is what I got:
(IMG:http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00006IUZ8.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg) John (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
Michael N |
Oct 26 2006, 01:36 AM
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#34
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Certifiable Group: Members Posts: 1,426 Joined: 6-June 04 From: San Jose, Ca Member No.: 2,164 Region Association: Northern California |
I owned a 67 Alpine with 1725cc engine and another one with a Toyota 20R engine in it. Granted the engine was not a 260 or 289 so it is hard to compare straight line speed, although I can tell you even with the lighter engines the handling was poor at best. Kinda like owning a boat: happy to buy it , happier to sell it.
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gregrobbins |
Oct 26 2006, 01:50 AM
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#35
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Member: Team NARP Group: Members Posts: 1,515 Joined: 23-March 04 From: Arizona Member No.: 1,844 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I watched a Tiger giving a 914-6 with a good driver a run for its money at the Palm Springs Vintage race last year. Good battle until the Tiger blew a water hose.
How do you fit in the car? Do you think you would use it for Track or pleasure? Or just a collector? See you Monday. Thanks again for tonight. |
blitZ |
Oct 26 2006, 05:25 AM
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#36
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Beer please... Group: Members Posts: 2,223 Joined: 31-August 05 From: Lawrenceville, GA Member No.: 4,719 Region Association: South East States |
Don Adams liked the Tiger so much, he accepted one as part of his salary for Get Smart. His daughter eventually wrecked it.
Would you believe a small british convertible and a Ford V8? Attached image(s) |
IanStott |
Oct 26 2006, 05:29 AM
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#37
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Member Group: Members Posts: 226 Joined: 13-June 04 From: Moncton,New Brunswick,Canada Member No.: 2,199 |
Waaaaay back in the early seventies, I went to quite few of those races in mall parking lots where you went as fast as you could through the pylons hoping to not spin out and hit a light standard base made from cement! Lots of British Leyland products every week as there was some kind of club, many of my friends had hopped up MGB's, a very fast midget, a few Mini's, a GT6 plus, etc. a Sunbeam Tiger showed up at 2 of these events, it had a 289 and blew the socks off everybody. I agree with the previous comment about handling, but one must remember once you have driven a well handling car like a 914 the handling weaknesses in other cars becomes very apparent. For me, if you can afford the Tiger and it is in good shape grab it, I thought it was a sexy car back in the day and still is, just don't race it and ruin it trying to beat cars that it can't run with! My 10 cents (inflation) worth!
Ian Stott Moncton Canada |
shelby/914 |
Oct 26 2006, 01:10 PM
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#38
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 804 Joined: 24-August 05 From: Foxfield, Co Member No.: 4,655 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Buy it, Buy it, Buy it, and if you don't PM me. I know two guys in Denver who say they are looking for one. Probably not seriously but a phone # might get them off the dime. Only drove one once, it was real scary as it had the cobra kit installed. Ended up with a 66' Mustang GT since I had one daughter and another on the way. We have several Tigers run our open track events with the Colorado Exotic Car Assoc. It's not really racing, just sort of like a DE. Do they break, sure, but then again most 914's live on jack stands. You never mentioned $, but I was talking to an owner at our last event and he said that $25k should buy a nice driver.
Variety is the spice of life. A little British mixed with Ford is a good deal. |
drewvw |
Oct 26 2006, 01:18 PM
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#39
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new england car guy Group: Members Posts: 1,631 Joined: 24-February 06 From: Boston, MA Member No.: 5,630 Region Association: North East States |
When my father was a younger man his buddy had a newish tiger in the late 60's - early 70's. They were at Watkins Glen watching the races as they often did.
Well almost everybody gets a little revved up after watching and the way back home to Rochester is filled with awesome country roads. My pops said he pulled out of the track and did a constant 120+ pretty much all the way home (he knew what he was doing). Said it was scary as hell but also one of the most memorable rides of his life. Buy It! I love sunbeam tigers and most people who own them seem to as well. I hear there is a strong contingent in Colorado for some reason. |
Qarl |
Oct 26 2006, 01:58 PM
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#40
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Shriveled member Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,233 Joined: 8-February 03 From: Florida Member No.: 271 Region Association: None |
I have a friend that's owned one for 20+ years. He did a complete nut and bolt restoration on the car a few years back and knows the car very well.
He lives in Redlands, CA. If you want me to put you in touch with him, let me know. (send me a PM) Nice car. Good power in light weight package.... Karl |
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