Ford Sunbeam Tiger

This could have been the Shelby Cobra for the average guy, but I think Maxwell Smart killed that idea. Not really, but millions of Americans first saw the Sunbeam Tiger at the beginning of the TV sit-com, “Get Smart.” Secret agent Maxwell Smart pulled up to the headquarters in his zippy little topless sports car.

The Tiger began in ‘64 as an option for the little Sunbeam Alpine. The car was very similar to sports cars offered by Triumph and MG. So for a little more GRUNT, a 260-cid Ford engine was literally stuffed into the little car and coupled up with a Ford 4-speed gearbox and live rear axle with leaf springs and shocks - like a pint-sized Mustang.

When Chrysler bought the Sunbeam Company in ‘65, engineers tried to get their 273 and 318-cid engines for fit into the car, but it was a definite “no-go” for a Mopar-powered Sunbeam tiger. (Can you imagine a 392 Hemi-powered Sunbeam Tiger???) When June of ‘67 came, it was the end of the line for the Sunbeam Tiger.

All totaled, between 7,000 and 7,100 cars were built.

Nice try.