We’re all familiar (or should be) with the fine AC Cobra, the pinnacle of Carroll Shelby’s achievement, I think:
I mean, what’s not to love? Those voluptuous lines, that tiny wheelbase and of course that burbling (also roaring) Ford V8… it almost epitomizes the concept of “affordable” [sic] race cars.
The key to the above is “race”, because the Cobra is very much a racing car, best suited for the track and much less so as a cruiser — as anyone who’s ever driven one for any distance may attest.
I however have a preference for its inspiration, the lovely Sunbeam Tiger:
Same performance (yup, that outstanding Ford 260ci (4.3-liter) V8, but with a more classic — shall we say “dated”? — shape.
And here’s one example of a restored Tiger:
…but unlike the Cobra, the Tiger comes with a hard top:
…which, if you happen to live in a place without proper open-top driving, is infinitely preferable.
Also, the Tiger doesn’t look like a stripped-down racer inside:
Much nicer, methinks. And for about a hundred grand, this particular one would definitely make it into Kim’s Lottery Garage.
Just to putter around town, en route to shopping, the range etc.
Oh, and by the way? The Tiger’s little brother, the Alpine Mk III, was James Bond’s first car (in Dr. No ). It had a dinky little 1.6-liter engine.
