Shelby Sunbeam Tiger

Added: (Thu Jul 06 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - The world’s most valued Sunbeam Tiger, the Carroll Shelby Tiger prototype of 1963, is coming out of hibernation and will be auctioned during the last two weeks of August, 2006, on eBay’s internet site.
This prototype, constructed in Shelby’s California workshops by race mechanic George Boskoff, was the model example from which over 7000 Sunbeam Tigers followed. It is the same car that was shipped to England in mid-1963 and test driven by Lord Rootes, of Rootes Motors, prior to his approval of series production. Almost a full year of factory engineering tests followed to be certain the English chassis could handle the powerful Ford V8 engine. Tiger production began in 1965 and ceased in 1967.
The prototype was returned to the U.S. and marketed by Rootes Motors of Los Angeles. The second owner has preserved the only prototype Tiger, in its original condition, since May of 1976.
Because of intense European interest in the coming sale of this unique car, a 50-minute video DVD has been produced so museums and collectors can inspect every part of this superb example of American ingenuity merged with British automotive skills. As well as visit the prototype’s home in Raton, New Mexico, where the City has painted tiger paw prints on the pavement and Tiger Circle is a genuine street name. There is no audio on the DVD to distract viewer attention from the many close-ups of preservation originality.
Pictured is every exterior detail of the high performance 289 CID Ford “K” engine with a rated output of 271 HP. This Cobra engine was set up by Cecil Bowman, Shelby’s master race mechanic, to run and run and run. The mechanical advance distributor is configured to give the driver maximum acceleration from the Holley double-pumper four-barrel carburetor which is fed by an electric fuel pump.
In this video DVD viewers will see that this car, the only Sunbeam Tiger prototype, is in the same superb condition, except for repainting, as when completed and first driven by Rootes’ executives John Panks and Ian Garrad in April of 1963.

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Authentic historical information about this specific car is found on WWW.ShelbyTiger.Com which includes an excerpt from Carroll Shelby’s fine book, The Cobra Story. As it does a portion of Bill Carroll’s book, Tiger, An Exceptional Motorcar.

The video DVD will be promptly mailed to any United States address for $20. And to any overseas address for $25. There is no extra cost for handling or shipping from Coda Publications, P.O. Box 71, Raton, New Mexico 87740, U.S.A.

Owner contact: William Carroll, 505-445-4455