Sunbeams on the pre AGM run

Mal · Post by **Mal** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:43 am

Some of the Sunbeam club members called into Napier today and did the tour through the British car museum. So I joined in and took some pic's.

Two Tigers here.

A highly modified V8 Alpine

A beutifully restored Hillman convertable Minx, covertable Rapier a Talbot in the distance and another later Rapier.

Tomaselli · Post by **Tomaselli** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:18 pm

I like the look af that modded Alpine a lot!

See spoiler on rear boot, bonnet bulge, clean lines of the windscreen washer jets and five stud wheels...... tell me more

The script on front wings are very neat also. Only thing that visually challenging are the door mirrors

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:39 pm

Think I would have just bought the Mini Roadster

Tomaselli · Post by **Tomaselli** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:40 pm

I was wondering what them headlamps were off, obvious now. Very neat, not dissimilar to that Thermal Efficiency class winning Alpine that I think ran at Le Mans, though could be wrong on that - sure somebody will correct me.

michael-king · Post by **michael-king** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:14 pm

I think the mirrors look like either the modern mini or rover ietms with a custom stem, the vents in the frotn look mini too.. perhaps they had a wrecked modern mini and alpine and made the "best of both worlds"

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:10 pm

Yes Micheal Mini headlights, mirrors and Cooper S vents

Tomaselli · Post by **Tomaselli** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:14 pm

That's what I was thinkng of, the 1961 “Works” Le Mans entry; 2nd in class, Index of Thermal Efficiency winner;

michael-king · Post by **michael-king** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:06 am

Tony,

it did remind me of the Harrington that won the ITE... however the current nose ont he car is a recreation of it's orginal front.. and unfortunatly not that accurate.. or indeed as well proportioned as the original. As a side note that car is in the USA as of late last year and has been running in a few hill climbs. i believe its also to be refitted with its original 160 EX motor and will be venturing to the LM classic back in france this year...

Mal · Post by **Mal** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:19 am

Tony.

It is a very nicely built car, shame I didn't get to talk to the owner for long as they were about to get on their way. The small bonnet bulge is to accomadate the fuel injection but I still have not found out what the engine is from.

So what if a few parts are from a Mini. Different marque cars of the 60's shared parts like headlights door handles etc. I Like the car and I think it is a far better idea than trying to replicate an original Tiger.

He does own an original Tiger, but likes to build V8 Alpines.

michael-king · Post by **michael-king** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:48 am

Mal,

I'm not opposing the use of mini parts.. just saying seems to have hybridised a modern mini and sunbeam.. and has done it very well... guiven you say he has a real tiger.. and makes alpine V8's.. is this David Craw?

Mal · Post by **Mal** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:05 am

Mal,

I'm not opposing the use of mini parts.. just saying seems to have hybridised a modern mini and sunbeam.. and has done it very well... guiven you say he has a real tiger.. and makes alpine V8's.. is this David Craw?

Michael, yes this is one of his cars.

michael-king · Post by **michael-king** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:55 am

That makes sense, David certainly hasd a collection and has been involved in his fair share of sunbeams.. parts manufacture and improved bits! I belive he was a rootes dealer back in the day and I have been lucky enough to chat with him many years ago.. if i had known what i do now.. i'd have much more to ask then!

If you get a chance pick his brain re:tigers.. I believe he knows them inside and out.

bigbob · Post by **bigbob** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:49 pm

I can see the Mk3 Tiger coming, mini style front end, squared off boot, with spoiler, as some of the racecars.17" wheels. Modern Ford 4.6 V8 injected & supercharged, 6 speed tremec, discs all round, power steering, hiback seats. I'd buy one.

Tomaselli · Post by **Tomaselli** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:28 pm

I'd want IRS with my MK3.

michael-king · Post by **michael-king** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:18 am

Tony,

probably a question for graham... but there was a prototype tiger with IRS a believe... de dion sliding tube rear IIRC... does anyone know what happened to the car.. or are the drawings in the rootes archive?

i know there are a couple of IRS Tigers in the states.. but they are recent conversions.. and iirc the blue tiger in retro cars featured with the yellow one had IRS or maybe just coil overs?