A FILM DOCUMENTARY
Some of us in the UK Club set out in 2021 to make a documentary film about the Sunbeam Tiger. Something not done before, certainly not one with an enthusiast’s accent.
3 years later and following many hours of filming, interviewing, producing and editing, we are very proud to present an 80 minute documentary. It is directed by film maker and long-term Tiger owner, Josh Goode of Berlinetta Films. Josh is also the Executive Producer along with Graham Vickery, of the Sunbeam Tiger Club. Director of Photography is Josh's long-term collaborator, Tony May. We hope this passionate and experienced team have ensured the film delivers the highest production values and editorial integrity.
Our motivation simply being to see a film made that honours the Tiger’s origins, the people who raced and rallied it in period, those who still do, to get close-up to the car itself, and importantly,
capture the enthusiasm of the machine’s owners. The enthusiast, fan and owner are our first audience.
Le Mans, Shelby & 2 Smokin’ Tigers is the story of the genesis of the Tiger, it’s fated journey to Le Mans and how those 24 hours determined the car it was to become. Hindsight and time have shown what a competitive racer the Tiger had the potential to be, soon proven by American and British race engineers in period and after Rootes was no longer able to.
The unlikely transatlantic teaming of Shelby American with Rootes produced a capable high-performance sports car for the US market and a comfortable European cruiser. Despite that first major European competition outing going off the rails, a gallant under-investment, it did not stop sales success during its short life. By any measure the Tiger was a brave move by a British manufacturer to develop and produce a sports car aimed primarily at the US market. Our story, however, does not end there, as dedicated engineers and racers have continued to develop the potential of the car and today Tigers successfully take the battle to the Cobras and Lightweight E-Types, gaining the recognition they deserve.
For the first time on film, Le Mans, Shelby & 2 Smokin’ Tigers brings together those that were there, experts, journalists and owners for an in-depth appraisal of the Tiger, and its lasting legacy. To do this the team travelled widely in the UK, Europe and the USA to gain countless first-hand interviews, to film historic Tigers and capture Club gatherings and as well what you, the enthusiast have to say about your Sunbeam Tiger.
We are very grateful for the financial support of several Club members, our own Club and indeed two other European Sunbeam clubs and individual donations. We are equally grateful for the willingness of everyone we met on the road to be interviewed and welcomes received if only to simply shoot the breeze!
We hope you will agree the documentary represents a significant initiative by the Tiger community to produce a premium quality historical document and engaging feature.
