"A Tiger is not just a converted Alpine as you wrote" Jay just posted.....
This is an interesting topic, and statement. What car (body) did they use for
the prototypes? Would that finished product be considered a Tiger, Alpine,
Conversion, or is it simply just safest to stay with "Tiger Prototype"? They
are in the Tiger Registry, but they were not built at the factory (all of
them)....I think, however, they are the first ever conversions. They are the
first of a long list of mass produced conversions that many find more "pure"
than the rest. The genesis of this marque came as a conversion. Now I not
saying we should all go out and find a series V and stuff a 351 in it and
call it a Tiger....but it happens because people love the marque.
How many true Shelby's versus imposters do we see. Has that hurt the love for
the Shelby, it's registry, and the Ford Mustang? I don't see it...in fact the
replicas have enhanced the following of enthusiasts. Just as long someone
doesn't pass off a Mustang as a true Shelby right? As long as the new owner
does the homework, they should not end up with a replica in the registry.
Have it checked out, then enjoy it. No secret police force inquiring into
shops around the country, taking down VIN #'s and locations and writing it
into little black books to send back to the commandant. The "intelligence
grouping" should come from the prospective buyer not a formed squad of
originality vigilantes.
To a certain extent the marque will be stronger because of rebodies and
conversions. Whatever their definition is..... Why???? Because of
affordability, common sense, and love for the "Tiger" marque itself. Unless
someone starts producing original body parts for the Tiger, they are going to
have to come from Alpines, and the extinction of one or both of the models
will eventually occur unless everyone stops driving their cars.
Insanity begins when morality over Alpine sheetmetal being combined with an
existing basket case Tiger is excercised by anyone other than the owner of
the car. What is at the core of any Tiger is the concept of throwing a
powerful Ford V8 into an Alpine.
As long as you have snakes you will have those trying to sell snake oil, but
who makes the determination as to what oils work and what is a hoax, and what
are their qualifications for doing so, that is the issue that is at hand.
Reminder To All...
The first three Tigers in the registry:
Miles prototype, Shelby prototype, and Jensen prototype. Alpine bodies:
series 2, series 2, series 3!
Tigers ARE converted Alpines Jay.
Some were done at the factory, some were done by the great names in
automotive history, and yes... some were done by Joe Bloe around the corner.
Prototypes, conversions, rebodies, where do you draw the line I ask again,
what are the true definitions, and parameters!!!!.....cause removing tags
doesn't hold water, and there aren't any clear guidelines anywhere on
classification of these cars...is there??????? My whole point of my earlier
question provides an interesting battle in achieving the desired "effect" for
TAC. When is a wreck a rebody?..... and a conversion a crusher ???....in the
minds of the TAC group. Should a basket case that is unsafe be left to rott
because if you rebody it even to 100% correct it will be worth less because
of TAC and registry classifications????
Most I think would agree that the real reason to own a Tiger is to enjoy it
for what it is...and originality and the buyer beware signals are stronger
because of the origin of the body, the Alpine. The sad thing is that high
price trailer queen cars ...and wooden nickels will be all that's left there,
when the daily drivers and vintage racers have beat themselves into a
boneyard and morality for usage of Alpines (and becoming a dreaded "rebody"
or conversion by TAC) inhibits repair. That is the death of the marque.
By the way....
Does anyone know that they removed the original tags off those Alpines to
build the Tiger prototypes? That's against the law and I'm gonna call the
Alpine Registry to let 'em know about it. See how silly that sounds.....:)
Hank
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