Larry,
You know, from reading TBON, that Chrysler did try to get their V-8
under a new model, which never saw any production. From Chrysler's
ACTUAL history, if they had kept Rootes alive, the Tiger would probably
have a 1500 cc Japanese engine. Only the name remains the same,
everything else gets worse.
As a matter of fact, there WAS a later "Sunbeam Tiger", based on a
production Rootes familymobile. "Avenger" type comes to mind, but Jay
is the expert on that stuff. Small four banger, but all the lovable
British traits, like leaking oil, low performance, that comes with the
home brew components. Imagine, if you can, electrics by Girling and
hydraulics by Lucas.
Strange???
Not really. Lucas owns Girling, now, and their first step forward is to
remove the brake fluid from the market and discontinue replacement
rebuild kits. The next thing in line for the shredder is the cross
reference index to Girling parts, and the release for early retirement
of all former Girling employees.
Now, quit complaining. Imagine if you owned a Moon or Stutz!
Steve
Lawrence Wright wrote:
> I usually get a reaction when I show people the access to the #8 spark plug
>on the Tiger; either it's a brilliant solution to an engineering problem, or
>an amateurish cover-up of a design flaw. Well, at least a solution was
>provided, unlike those 262 c.i. Chevy Monzas where you had to jack up the
>engine to change plugs.
>
> Well, I was reading Classic and Sportscar magazine, and the September issue
>(pp 134-139) has a feature on the Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300; you know, the
>low-slung Italian with a Chevrolet small-block up front. Like on a Tiger, the
>engine is tunnelled pretty far back, again to improve weight distribution. On
>the Bizz, from what I can tell in a small photo in the article, the centerline
>of the carb is maybe an inch or two ahead of the rear edge of the engine
>compartment opening!
>
> Remember, the SBC has its distributor at the BACK. The text mentions that
>access to the distributor is via the dash, and in another photo you can see
>the outline of a perhaps 5"-square removable panel at the front edge of the
>dash. With the angle of the windshield so sharp, I guess you can perhaps
>adjust the point gap or replace a rotor, but no way to get the distributor out
>altogether. Ouch!
>
> Kinda gives one the idea of what Rootes would have had to deal with if they
>had made a 273-Mopar powered Tiger -- probably this and more.
>
> Larry Wright
>
>
>
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Steve Laifman
Editor
http://www.TigersUnited.com
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