Summary

Resembling car #55 that Doane Spencer raced in 1960, this custom Tiger is powered by a Ford Racing 302ci GT40 V8 engine with aluminum heads backed by a Top-Loader 4-speed transmission and Dana rear end.

Details

This 1966 Tiger custom convertible resembles car #55 that Doane Spencer raced in the 1960s. The design was the brainchild of restorer David Ley at Dave's Auto Restorations in Wexford, PA. The engine is a Ford Racing 302ci GT40 V8 with AFR 1402 aluminum heads and Holley 4-barrel carburetor. The engine features a front-mounted oil cooler, MSD ignition, Griffin aluminum radiator with flex fan, LAT Tiger embossed aluminum valve covers and oil pan. The original Top-Loader 4-speed transmission remains and is pared to a Dana 44 rear end. Also, equipped with a LeMans-type fuel filler, custom headers that flow into the chrome side pipe exhaust, Wilwood disk brakes and rear brake cooling ducts; the suspension has custom-tuned and lowered springs with Koni Classic shock absorbers. There is also a modern fuse box to handle the electrical system and a remote battery kill switch fitted to the rear of the car. The exterior sports a custom aluminum rear trunk lid, deck panel, fender flairs, and hood scoop, an aircraft Lexan windshield, and a cargo boot area along with shaved door handles. Inside the cockpit, to tie into the Shelby connection, Cobra leather seats were chosen as well as a Cobra steering wheel. There are also SW gauges featuring 160mph speedometer, tachometer, oil temperature and pressure, water temperature, voltage, and fuel level. Riding on custom 15-inch Halibrand center lock knock-off wheels wrapped with 205/55-inch tires up front and 255/45-inch tires in the back. After completion, the car was inspected by the Sunbeam Tiger Owner's Association and was given its Certificate of Authenticity #0592, which verifies this car to be an actual Tiger-built model. This Tiger also received a blue-ribbon award for display in the Beaver Run Concours d' Elegance in Wampum, PA., was featured in a two-page color spread of Hot Rod Magazine and was awarded 1st in class at the Hillsborough Concours d' Elegance.