The Sunbeam Tiger was conceived in the West Coast of the USA and inspired by the success of the AC Cobra - the result of inserting a small-block American V8 engine into the nose of the British AC Ace.

Rootes American Motors Inc.

saw the potential for performing a similar operation on the stylish four-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine.

Preliminary research suggested that the engine used to produce the Cobra - Ford's 4.3-litre (260ci) 'Windsor' unit - would be the appropriate powerplant, and a prototype was commissioned from Carroll Shelby, the man behind the Cobra project, who would entrust famous GT40 racer Ken Miles with setting it all up.

Unveiled at the April 1964 New York Motor Show, the resultant Tiger incorporated uprated steering, suspension and brake assemblies but retained the Alpine's basic layout and sheetmetal.

With a quoted 164bhp/258lbft on tap, the newcomer was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in under eight seconds and 120mph.

Later, the MkII Tiger was launched which would be f...