> If memory serves me, Sunbeam was purchased by Crysler in the late
> sixties. The Tiger died because Crysler did not have a V8 small
> enough to fit and they did not want to continue selling cars powered
> by Ford.
All this is pretty much correct. It wasn't just Sunbeam, though; the
entire Rootes Group (Sunbeam, Singer, Hillman, Humber) was bought.
Tiger/Alpine production continued for a short time after the buyout.
My Alpine has little Chrysler pentastar badges low on the front
fenders, just behind the front wheels.
Even if a Chrysler V8 had fit into the Tiger, it is doubtful that
production would have continued. Note that Alpine production also
ceased. This was more due to the onset of U.S. emissions and safety
regulations in 1968 than to the use of a competitor's engine. To meet
the safety regulations, among other things the rear chassis would had
to have been redesigned to move the fuel tanks from the rear fenders
to somewhere between the frame rails.
--
T.J. Higgins | tjhiggin@ingr.com | (205) 730-7922
Intergraph Corp. | Mapping Sciences Division | Huntsville, AL, USA
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