I wrote this some years ago and beyond my wildest expectations the stars might be lining up for a complete restoration. I'm very excited.
My first car in high school was a Sunbeam Alpine that my father bought me for $50. I painted it, put a new top on it and rebuilt the hydraulics. I really enjoyed driving that car through our central New York area but when someone mentioned that Rootes made one with a V8 I knew I had to find one. I found one locally in 1973 or 4 but didn’t have the money that the owner was asking. I convinced my father to buy it.
For a few years we (mostly me) enjoyed terrorizing the locals with it until the 260 motor started to have low oil pressure when warm and a faint rod knock under acceleration.
I started to plan for a restoration buying new coil and leaf springs, suspension bushings, headers, Koni shocks and from the California Association of Tiger Owners (CAT) a very limited run of the optional fiberglass hood.
As with many restorations life got in the way with either no place, time or money to move forward.
Because I taught auto and small engine mechanics for 20 years I had the ability, and had planned to do the work myself when I retired but in 2001 started to have symptoms of what would be diagnosed as ALS and am now confined to a wheelchair. My father passed away in 2016.
I am no longer able to do the work myself and because my wife and I pay for all my in home help out of pocket so I can’t afford to have it restored.
As a tribute to my father I would love to hear the Tiger growl again
My first car in high school was a Sunbeam Alpine that my father bought me for $50. I painted it, put a new top on it and rebuilt the hydraulics. I really enjoyed driving that car through our central New York area but when someone mentioned that Rootes made one with a V8 I knew I had to find one. I found one locally in 1973 or 4 but didn’t have the money that the owner was asking. I convinced my father to buy it.
For a few years we (mostly me) enjoyed terrorizing the locals with it until the 260 motor started to have low oil pressure when warm and a faint rod knock under acceleration.
I started to plan for a restoration buying new coil and leaf springs, suspension bushings, headers, Koni shocks and from the California Association of Tiger Owners (CAT) a very limited run of the optional fiberglass hood.
As with many restorations life got in the way with either no place, time or money to move forward.
Because I taught auto and small engine mechanics for 20 years I had the ability, and had planned to do the work myself when I retired but in 2001 started to have symptoms of what would be diagnosed as ALS and am now confined to a wheelchair. My father passed away in 2016.
I am no longer able to do the work myself and because my wife and I pay for all my in home help out of pocket so I can’t afford to have it restored.
As a tribute to my father I would love to hear the Tiger growl again
