LAT, Los Angeles Tiger (Sunbeam Alpine with the Shelby 289) accessories

the entire PDF is at http://www.tigersunited.com/resources/parts_service/LAT-brochure.pdf

That old goofy situation of a Ford engine in a Chrysler acquired company. Strange stuff, but I've posted about that oddity before.

Here's something new I just learned.

" LAT option descriptions, pictures, and prices from original "International Automobiles Incorporated". This company was headed by Ian Garrard and was the President of the U.S. importer, International Automobiles Incorporated, for Chrysler International Automotive Products, in Los Angeles, and was the "spark plug" behind the LAT options and racing program, with his sponsorship of Carroll Shelby's racing efforts with Ken Miles and Lew Spencer.

He later sponsored Hollywood Sport Cars and Doane Spencer, who helped develop many of the later LAT options.  Doane who created the most famous 32 Deuce ever. Well, he also was the crew chief of the Tiger racing program run by Hollywood Sports Cars in LA, Chick Vandagriff's dealership

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/collectible-classic-1965-1967-sunbeam-tiger/



The Doane Spencer Tiger came about when Ian Garrad approached him about building and running a car for them after Shelby's had been a big disappointment. Doane managed to overcome many of the Tigers shortfalls through clever thinking. The Spencer Tiger raced in B Production in 1965. He built a custom steering rack, which was 'hidden' within the standard housing, as the standard system was too slow for racing. He fitted rear Daimler Girling disc brakes, while the front disc assembly was reversed on the stub axle carrier so straight track rods could be used.

He fitted a Dana rear axle with hi nickel shafts, and he fitted 14" wheels (the Tigers were fitted as standard with 13" wheels) for better brake cooling and so he could use larger discs. One of the big problems with the racing Tiger was engine overheating and excessive engine bay temperatures which Spencer overcame by moving as many items as he could from the engine bay, eg, he repositioned the brake servo inside the front guard etc. He created reverse louvres in the bonnet, and made special ducts that channeled hot air out through holes in the front guards.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ot-doane-spencer-sports-cars.191060/

 This specially designed race preparation tool was made specifically for the Sunbeam Tiger racing enthusiast, developed by the Rootes Racing Department for their own use in preparing race and rally cars for winning competition in Europe. It is specifically designed for professional use only, and only by race mechanics trained in the arts of competition preparation. In the wrong hands it could be dangerous to the operator, the driver, and any spectators or officials. Rootes denies any liability connected with the non-professional use of this equipment.

Originally designed to operate at 220 VAC, 50 cycle power, the tool has been modified for 110-120 VAC, 60 cycle, 3 prong US grounded connectors for use in the USA. The use is obvious to the knowledgeable racer and race car designer for eliminating excess weight to improve performance, adding racing cooling openings for competitive driving conditions, and persuading recalcitrant connecting devices to be removable.

Introducing the Rootes Sunbeam Tiger All-purpose Professional Race Prep tool, the LAT-122 DW, at a mere $1127.98 USD. http://www.tigersunited.com/resources/parts_service/pp-lat122DW.asp

Sunbeam Tiger owners have included Art Arfons, Andy Rooney, Playboy Playmate Jo Collins and Carroll Shelby ... who though auctioning off a lot of his personal cars in 1995, kept his Tiger

https://en.wheelsage.org/category/playmate-pink/66766/pictures/bp2p4h

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in 1964, 3 Sunbeam Tigers were prepped by Lister, rebodied by for racing at Le Mans

Just over seven thousand Sunbeam Tigers were built in total between 1964 and 1967, but three special lightweight racing cars were built in 1964 aimed to compete in the GT category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

 These three cars were highly modified versions of the production cars and fitted with attractive lightweight, fastback coupe bodies by coach builders Williams and Pritchard

7734KV served as the test and development mule, and regularly reached speeds of 160 mph in testing at Le Mans. Lessons learned with the mule were then incorporated into the construction of its 2 sister race cars.

The car was prepared by Brian Lister, well-known for his Lister-Jaguars and Lister-Chevrolets. A race prepped Ford 260 was supplied by Shelby American and rated at 275hp. It was fitted with a Cobra intake, a pair of Carter AFB carbs, a Borg Warner T-10 trans, and magnesium rims. Instead of the factory 13", 15s were used so that larger brakes could be installed for racing.

The two Tiger coupes entered in the race carried number 8 and 9. The first to retire, just three hour’s into the race’s 24, was car number 8, which experienced a broken piston. Six hours later, car number 9 expired with a broken crankshaft, and the Tiger coupe’s first and only appearance at Le Mans ended in disappointment for the Rootes Group team.

http://www.fiskens.com/cars-for-sale/sunbeam-tiger-le-mans-coupe/10016.htm
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1964-SUNBEAM-TIGER-LEMANS-GT-COUPE-22329
https://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/11/27/a-cobra-daytona-coupe-with-a-british-accent-the-sunbeam-tiger-le-mans-coupe/

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