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By Dan Walters

DIRECTIONS: Circle the LETTER that represents the correct answer.

NOTE: Most of the next 20 questions are multiple choice. One does no offer the correct answer. TO GET CREDIT FOR THIS QUESTION, YOU COULD CROSS IT OUT, OR WRITE IN THE CORRECT ANSWER.

1.  The Sunbeam Tiger was formally introduced on April 3rd, 1964, at the International Auto Show in New York. Its official name at the auto show was…

  • Sunbeam Thunderbolt
  • Sunbeam Tiger
  • Sunbeam Alpine 260
  • Lord Rootes Wild Ride

2.  As it came from the factory without any options, how many gauges are on the dashboard of a stock Tiger?

  • 4
  • 7
  • 3
  • 5

3.  No one can doubt that the Mark II Tiger was the height of Tiger development. Whether or not is was worth the money compared to the other cars of that period can’t be answered because I don’t know how much they cost in 1967. To win 3 gallons of famous Tiger United VI macaroni salad, tell me the correct price.

  • $3,961.00
  • $3,842.00
  • $3,499.00
  • $3,717.46

4.  In February 1966, Jensen was commissioned to build the Mark II prototype for evaluation. The basis for these cars was the Mark 1A. How many of these pre-production Mark II cars were built?

  • 8
  • 3
  • 10
  • 5

5.  If tune up day is near and you can’t remember which spark plug is factory recommended, you consult your owners’ manual. It will tell you to use which of the following?

  • Motocraft FL-1
  • Autolite BF-42
  • Motocraft BF 42
  • Bosh 36F

6.  Of all the colors produced and applied to Sunbeam Tigers, the one most frequently applied is:

  • 122 Signal Red
  • 39 Carnival Red
  • 107 Holly Green
  • 1 Embassy Black

7.  What mas was the first to create a tiger by actually putting a V8 in an Alpine and spraying it candy apple red?

  • Ian Garrard
  • Carroll Shelby
  • Doan Spencer
  • Ken Miles

8.  You are the proud owner of a 1967 Tiger MK 1A. After pulling up at a stop, you notice a “punk” in a Mustang listening to your exhaust roar and starring at the badge under the Tiger emblem on the side. If the car is original the badge will state plainly:

  • Powered by Ford 260
  • Powered by Sunbeam
  • Sunbeam 260
  • Sunbeam V8

NOTE: Question 9 is the only “fill in” question in this main section of the quiz.

9.  After Rootes Motors, Inc. had been satisfied with the first Jensen build Alpine V8 prototype they arranged to have several more prototypes built. These cars were named AF-1, AF-2, etc. What did the letters “A” and “F” stand for?

10. According to the official Sunbeam 260 Owner’s Handbook, the oil pressure should normally be

  • 30-50 lbs./in.
  • 30-55 lbs./in.
  • 35-55 lbs./in.
  • 45-5 lbs./in.

11. The following are original Rootes Sunbeam paint code numbers and colors. All denote some form/shade of blue. However, only one of them was ever applied to a Tiger. Which one was it?

  • 94 Slate Blue
  • 53 Wedgewood Blue
  • 110 Capri Blue
  • 95 Kingfisher Blue

12. Many problems can be directly associated with most stock Tigers. The factory offered a special accessory which would alleviate one of them. The problem was severe axle ‘tromp’ and ‘wheel spin’. The owner’s manual calls this accessory:

  • Twin Traction Rear Axel
  • Pos-A Traction Rear Axle
  • Power-Lock Differential
  • Anti-Spin Kontrol

Who was Rootes’ staff member who originally came up with naming the Tiger in honor of Sir Henry Seagrave’s record breaking V12?
Ian Garrad
John Panks
Peter Wilson
Paul Remingon

13. While searching of a Tiger you check the number plate under the hood of a specimen. It reads B3821001713. The model you are looking at is:

  • 1967 Mark IA
  • 1966 Mark IA
  • 1965 Mark I
  • 1967 Mark II
  • Questionable, don’t buy it.

The stock Tiger is a positively scary-handling creature under certain condition. A short wheel-base combined with too much power have caused the cars to attract the nickname, “An Overpowered Roller Skate.” Using gross power and standard curb weight, answer the following:

14. Just how short is the wheel base?

  • 77 inches
  • 84 inches
  • 86 inches
  • 90 inches


15. Rounded to the nearest horsepower, what is the gross power to the standard weight ration?

  • 15 lbs. per H.P.
  • 13 lbs. per H.P.
  • 9 lbs. per H.P.
  • 17 lbs. per H.P.

16. A properly maintained Tiger should, according to the owner’s manual, have the fuel filter changed every:

  • 12,000 miles
  • 24,000 miles
  • 36,000 miles
  • 44,000 miles

17. Today enthusiasts and collectors search for the original and cherished L.A.T Tiger options. Some were mass produced and are today somewhat readily available (at a cost) while others were listed as available and never produced. One option listed as available and never produced as L.A.T. #12. According to the Golden Chittenden, L.A.T. #12 was:

  • Pocket Jacket Patch
  • Tiger ash tray
  • Tiger pocket lighter
  • Low restriction exhaust manifolds

18. It is common knowledge that towards the end of the “Get Smart” television series,Don Adams drove a red Tiger Mark 1A. What I need to know is what type of car did the “Chief”, who was portrayed by Ed Platt, drive at the same time in the series?

  • Lincoln Continental 4 passenger convertible
  • Shelby’s A.C. 289 Cobra
  • Shelby’s G.T. 500 KR Convertible
  • 1967 Cougar “Dan Gurney Version”

19. Another problem which all Tiger owners eventually experience is overheating. Overheating causes the oil to thin out very rapidly and, as such, oil pressure can be dangerously low. One generally rejected rumor is that Andy Granatelli developed S.T.P. oil treatment as the cure for his rapidly decreasing oil pressure in his overheating Tiger. According to Andy, S.T.P. stands for:

  • Super Tough Protection
  • Sunbeam Tiger Protection
  • Speedway Tough Protection
  • Special Tiger Protection


Tie Breaker Questions:

20. There is a small population of Tigers that were unknown for years.


a)In what country were they found?
b)What is the VIN perfix?
c)How many were made?
d)What is the three letter designation from the Rootes Factory that describes them?
e)What do the three letters mean?


21. What basic specification / design feature was changed from the White Shelby prototype to the production Tiger, it is considered a performance improvement.


22. What were the Tiger MK II development cars known as?


23. What was the difference between the MK 1 / MK 1A Tiger wheels and the MK II wheels?


24. What exterior MK II Tiger part was also used on a late 1950's Hillman?


The quiz is a part of every Tigers United and is required for those vying for the coveted Lord Rootes trophy. This particular one, used in the most TU35, was crafted originally by Dan Walters for which Tigers United ? Give it your best shot. The answers can be found here, but no peeking. -Ed