Subject: Re: [Tigers] Retrospective on Alternative History by Larry Wright and Steve Laifman

From: Tom Witt via Tigers <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2021 20:26:31 -0800

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--===============4357962272091076932==
 boundary="------------Er0n02dhbamEVg9YfWnxV6gz"
Content-Language: en-US

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------Er0n02dhbamEVg9YfWnxV6gz
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64

--------------Er0n02dhbamEVg9YfWnxV6gz
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html>
  <head>
    <meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUTF=
-8">
  </head>
  <body>
    <p>I didn't see it mentioned. What year was it that the Cobra was
      termed "<font size=3D"4"><i>The poor man's Tiger</i></font>?" =F0=9F=
=98=81 I
      must say we are a bit early for April 1st.<br>
    </p>
    <div class=3D"moz-cite-prefix">On 11/26/2021 7:43 PM, Jay via Tigers
      wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type=3D"cite"
      cite=3D"mid:[email-masked]">
      <pre class=3D"moz-quote-pre" wrap=3D"">I was going though old paper=
s, and came across some early 1996 Tiger group emails that I had printed =
out back in 1996.  Yeah, remember that?  Paper printing?  This was 25 yea=
rs ago!  Larry was clearly in a creative mood and sent five emails about =
alternative history, then my dad provided a few of his own.  I hope you e=
njoy this - and add some new ones!!!! =20

Larry=E2=80=99s (all five emails combined):

1965:  Sunbeam=E2=80=99s fastback Tiger LeMans series now account for hal=
f of Tiger sales, outstripping sales of Chevrolet=E2=80=99s Corvette.  Fo=
rd=E2=80=99s new fastback, the Mustang, off to a slow start.

1966:  For the second year in a row, Sunbeam Tigers finish 1-2-3 at both =
LeMans and Sebring.  The lightened Superleggera bodywork, supplied by Tou=
ring of Italy, provided a dramatic performance improvement versus their f=
irst efforts in 1964.

1967:  Ford Motor Company resists pressure from its own dealers, and thei=
r domestic competition, to discount sales of engines to the Rootes Group,=
 maker of the popular Sunbeam Tiger.  A six month waiting list exists for=
 the popular cars, while domestic high-performance cars languish on deale=
rs=E2=80=99 lots.

1968:  Safety advocate Ralph Nader=E2=80=99s attack on the Sunbeam Tiger =
has fizzled.  His allegations of high risk for fire when struck from behi=
nd rang hollow when few instances of rear-end collisions were reports.  S=
unbeam management was heard to comment on the car=E2=80=99s high speed po=
tential - "if the Tiger is that fast, how could it be hit from behind?=E2=
=80=9D

1969:  Yet again, the NHRA Summernationals dominated by the Tigress, a va=
riation of the popular Sunbeam Imp powered by Ford=E2=80=99s V8 engine.  =
Most important manufactures retrenching in the face of dizzying sales of =
Rootes=E2=80=99 economy, and performance champion.

1970:  What would have been epoch-making safety legislation this year has=
 been voted down in the Senate.  The pressure of public opinion, led by r=
epeated protests by owners of the ubiquitous Sunbeam Tiger, indicates the=
 public just does not want the styling of their cars spoilt by heavier bu=
mpers or other safety features.

1971:  American Motors reports it may have to change its name, now being =
owned by a British company.  The Rootes Group hopes to cover the beleague=
red Kenosha company=E2=80=99s plants to production of the Sunbeam Tiger, =
which incidentally is rumored to be come mid-engined in the next model ye=
ar.  It is hoped that Wsconsin=E2=80=99s economy will benefit as Britain=E2=
=80=99s has, with record low unemployment for yet another year.

1972:  With so many of Ford=E2=80=99s V8 engine supplied in Rootes' Sunbe=
am Tigers, as well as the expanded Humber range and the revived Singer an=
d Talbot brands, Ford is now the second biggest user of their own engines=
=2E  In other news, collectors are rumored to be removing those V8=E2=80=99=
s to install four-cylinder engines to create replicas of the now-disconti=
nued Alpine variant.

1973:  President McGovern today meets with Britain=E2=80=99s Prime Minist=
er George Harrison.  It is expected that the US may pull out of NATO unle=
ss the balance-of-trade problem caused by sales of the cars built by the =
Rootes Group can be resolved.

1974:  Sears, Roebuck &amp; Co. announced today that their 1,731 auto cen=
ters nationwide will become effectively Sunbeam Dealerships, offering new=
 cars (badged as Allstates), servicing and parts.  Unique to Sears=E2=80=99=
 new approach is a racing preparation department, with high-performance e=
ngine by the Shelby American Corporation, a company believed to have been=
 involved with Sunbeam=E2=80=99s successes in the early 1960=E2=80=99s.

1979: Sunbeam=E2=80=99s return to Formula One racing is in its fifth year=
, and expecting a second championship for star driver Mario Andretti.  Th=
e success enjoyed by Rootes=E2=80=99 competition department in using the =
Ford Cosworth V8 has prompted an announcement that this engine will power=
 the next generation Tiger, breathing new life into this perennial best-s=
eller.

1980:  The racing world was shocked today by NASCAR=E2=80=99s decision to=
 admit the Kenosha-built Tigers in Grand National racing, leaving no majo=
r motorsports venue secure from the primacy of the Rootes group.  One won=
ders if the carnival bumper-car rides are the only place to avoid being t=
rounced by Sunbeams.

1982:  This month=E2=80=99s Auto Industry Report features an in-depth int=
erview with the Rootes chemist responsible for the new substance TripolyO=
xyFerron, which results from applying a new patented molecule to rusted s=
teel, and is stronger than the original steel on which it is based.  This=
 is expected to be received well by owners of existing Rootes products.  =
Also announced this month, by mail-order house J.C. Whitney, is a related=
 product, a finish-abrading kit for car owners.  The news release claims =
=E2=80=9Cguaranteed prompt restting of any car=E2=80=9D and urdes car own=
ers to. =E2=80=9CMan their cars sturdier today.=E2=80=9D  A legal blockin=
g action by Norton, Bear and other sandpaper manufactures is pending.

1988:  Completing an industry consolidation unprecedented in history, Roo=
tes Group has acquired both Morgan Cars, Ltd. and the Rover Group, leavin=
g Rootes the only carmaker in Britain.  Rover=E2=80=99s Jaguar marque, al=
ways at a performance and marketing disadvantage versus Sunbeam, now face=
s an uncertain future.  A spokesman for Morgan, however, states that no c=
hanges to their operation are anticipated.

1991:  A news release from United Artists hints at details of =E2=80=9CIc=
ebreaker,=E2=80=9D the next James Bond film.  Actor Michael J. Fox, in th=
e role for the third time, will drive a Sunbeam Tiger with suitable modif=
ications in the picture.

1992:  Sunbeam dealers across the county can begin taking orders for ABS-=
equipped Tigers.  All that is required is to check off box LAT2718 on the=
 order form.  Also, LAT2713, the rear-fasting third seat for the Husky mi=
ni-van, should begin shipping this week against all orders placed to date=
=2E

1996:  Shrewd investors in the classic-car market suggest that the next =E2=
=80=9Csleeper=E2=80=9D bound for rapid increases in value is the Shelby C=
obra, an obscure roadster from the early 1960=E2=80=99s.  A few hundred o=
f these Ford-powered sports cars were built, and they enjoyed some racing=
 successes until succumbing to all-conquering Sunbeam Tigers.  Pick one u=
p now for as little as five thousand dollars, and you can expect the valu=
e to double in the next five years.

2207:  Breakthroughs have been made on translating the transmission from =
Tau Ceti, giving valuable insight on how the Cetans became aware of us in=
 the first place.  It seems that the Fredgling Cetan space program stumbl=
ed upon one of our old deep-space probes, the Star Tiger, launched by Roo=
tes Aerospace late in the 20th century.  The earliest message-segments tr=
anslated are requests for the whereabouts of one of their dieties, a Mr. =
Kenneth Howe, who the Cetans apparantly feel we can deliver to them.  His=
torians are urgently searching the archives of the World Government for c=
lues on the subject, as well as why the Cetans feel we share their religi=
ous deference for the number eight.  Stay netted for updates on this fast=
-breaking story.

Steve Laifman (I so hear his humor in these):

1967:  British-Aerospace, a subsidiary of the Humber Divisions of the Roo=
tes Group, has announced a joint venture with Renault-Aerospatiale to dev=
elop a supersonic transport airplane.  This =E2=80=9CSSA=E2=80=9D will tr=
avel at nearly twice the speed of sound from London to New York in 2 hour=
s.  Powered by phased arrays of 289 cu. in. V-8 motors, manufactured in C=
oventry by the Singer-Jaguar Division, are said to be capable of extra-at=
mospheric flight.  Ticket reservations are being taken for a 200 pound En=
glish Sterling deposit, or $250,000.00 American dollars.  (400 pound bala=
nce due 6 months prior to departure).

1977: The first manned lunar landing, by Astronaught Sterling Moss, was a=
ccompanied by his cryptic historical comment =E2=80=9COne small step for =
man one more world to conquer for Alpine!=E2=80=9D  His historic voyage a=
board the two-seater Sunbeam Tiger MoonMobile was only marred twice by ha=
ving to smartly strike the Lucas fuel pump with his bumpershoot handle to=
 restart the 900,000 horsepower Ford V-512 cylinder Tiger air-breathing r=
ocket motor.  This motor is made by the Singer-Ford subsidiary of the Roo=
tes Group in Colonial Arkansas.  Astronaught Moss pre-launch remarks abou=
t the sensibility of carrying 250,000 miles of Dunlop-Goodyear air-hose w=
as taken as only in jest by His Majesty, while Mrs. Moss and the Children=
 were present at the TV viewing in the luxurious and famous Tower of Lond=
on Royal Apartments. (Note from Jay: as most know, my dad was an actual r=
ocket scientist, who certainly knew how to spell.  So I can only surmise =
that when my dad typed =E2=80=9Castronaught=E2=80=9D it was another one o=
f his tongue-in-cheek comments, and note that Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner =
spelled it that way for a gag they did).

1983:  The rumored production of a retro-Alpine 1955 dropped coupe by the=
 insular Honda Motor Car Company of Japan has been denied by the Ministry=
 of Trade and Industry (MITI).  They are quoted as saying =E2=80=9CAny ma=
nufacture of products protected by international copyright and patent agr=
eements could never happen in this country.  The rumor of nostalgia buffs=
 is denied, and apologies are tendered to His Majesty=E2=80=99s Governmen=
t and were delivered toPrime Minister John F. Kennedy=E2=80=99s ambassado=
r, the Right Honourable Michael Jackson.=E2=80=9D  His Majesty=E2=80=99s =
Government accepted the apology and stood down the Colonial Seventh Fleet=
 being prepared for battle in Cook=E2=80=99s Harbour, Honolulu Colony.=20

In other news, Setsumosa Kiosaka, manager of research and development at =
the Nissan-Mazda division of Honda was found to have committed ritual sep=
uku by severing his arms, legs, and head simultaneously in five rooms of =
his Tokyo apartment. No comment was forthcoming rom his widows or corpora=
te spokesmen. =20

_______________________________________________

<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]=
t">[email-masked]</a>

nate.html">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a>
Archive: <a class=3D"moz-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"http://www.team.net/p=
ipermail/tigers">http://www.team.net/pipermail/tigers</a> <a class=3D"moz=
-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive">http://autox.t=
eam.net/archive</a>

Unsubscribe: <a class=3D"moz-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"http://autox.team=
=2Enet/mailman/options/tigers/[email-masked]">http://autox.team.n=
et/mailman/options/tigers/[email-masked]</a>

</pre>
    </blockquote>
  </body>
</html>
--------------Er0n02dhbamEVg9YfWnxV6gz--

--===============4357962272091076932==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

_______________________________________________

[email-masked]

Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/tigers http://autox.team.net/archive

Unsubscribe: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/tigers/[email-masked]

--===============4357962272091076932==--

---

From: Mark Rense via Tigers <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2021 14:01:02 -0500

--===============8415631256761106651==

--000000000000e61ffd05d1c9d4c1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Jay,
This was just brilliant! I too hear your father's dry humor, it's what I
grew up with around my house as well. I missed these the first time around
as I didn't join the Tiger list until 2000 or so.
Bugz

On Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 10:44 PM Jay via Tigers <[email-masked]>
wrote:

> I was going though old papers, and came across some early 1996 Tiger grou=
p
> emails that I had printed out back in 1996.  Yeah, remember that?  Paper
> printing?  This was 25 years ago!  Larry was clearly in a creative mood a=
nd
> sent five emails about alternative history, then my dad provided a few of
> his own.  I hope you enjoy this - and add some new ones!!!!
>
>
f of
> Tiger sales, outstripping sales of Chevrolet=E2=80=99s Corvette.  Ford=E2=
=80=99s new
> fastback, the Mustang, off to a slow start.
>
> 1966:  For the second year in a row, Sunbeam Tigers finish 1-2-3 at both
> LeMans and Sebring.  The lightened Superleggera bodywork, supplied by
> Touring of Italy, provided a dramatic performance improvement versus thei=
r
> first efforts in 1964.
r
> domestic competition, to discount sales of engines to the Rootes Group,
> maker of the popular Sunbeam Tiger.  A six month waiting list exists for
> the popular cars, while domestic high-performance cars languish on dealer=
s=E2=80=99
> lots.
has
> fizzled.  His allegations of high risk for fire when struck from behind
> rang hollow when few instances of rear-end collisions were reports.
> Sunbeam management was heard to comment on the car=E2=80=99s high speed p=
otential -
> "if the Tiger is that fast, how could it be hit from behind?=E2=80=9D
>
> 1969:  Yet again, the NHRA Summernationals dominated by the Tigress, a
> variation of the popular Sunbeam Imp powered by Ford=E2=80=99s V8 engine.=
  Most
> important manufactures retrenching in the face of dizzying sales of Roote=
s=E2=80=99
> economy, and performance champion.
>
> 1970:  What would have been epoch-making safety legislation this year has
> been voted down in the Senate.  The pressure of public opinion, led by
> repeated protests by owners of the ubiquitous Sunbeam Tiger, indicates th=
e
> public just does not want the styling of their cars spoilt by heavier
> bumpers or other safety features.
>
> 1971:  American Motors reports it may have to change its name, now being
> owned by a British company.  The Rootes Group hopes to cover the
> beleaguered Kenosha company=E2=80=99s plants to production of the Sunbeam=
 Tiger,
> which incidentally is rumored to be come mid-engined in the next model
> year.  It is hoped that Wsconsin=E2=80=99s economy will benefit as Britai=
n=E2=80=99s has,
> with record low unemployment for yet another year.
>
am
> Tigers, as well as the expanded Humber range and the revived Singer and
> Talbot brands, Ford is now the second biggest user of their own engines.
> In other news, collectors are rumored to be removing those V8=E2=80=99s t=
o install
> four-cylinder engines to create replicas of the now-discontinued Alpine
> variant.
>
er George
> Harrison.  It is expected that the US may pull out of NATO unless the
> balance-of-trade problem caused by sales of the cars built by the Rootes
> Group can be resolved.
>
> 1974:  Sears, Roebuck & Co. announced today that their 1,731 auto centers
> nationwide will become effectively Sunbeam Dealerships, offering new cars
> (badged as Allstates), servicing and parts.  Unique to Sears=E2=80=99 new=
 approach
> is a racing preparation department, with high-performance engine by the
> Shelby American Corporation, a company believed to have been involved wit=
h
> Sunbeam=E2=80=99s successes in the early 1960=E2=80=99s.
>
, and
> expecting a second championship for star driver Mario Andretti.  The
> success enjoyed by Rootes=E2=80=99 competition department in using the Fo=
rd
> Cosworth V8 has prompted an announcement that this engine will power the
> next generation Tiger, breathing new life into this perennial best-seller=
.
> 1980:  The racing world was shocked today by NASCAR=E2=80=99s decision to=
 admit
> the Kenosha-built Tigers in Grand National racing, leaving no major
> motorsports venue secure from the primacy of the Rootes group.  One wonde=
rs
> if the carnival bumper-car rides are the only place to avoid being trounc=
ed
> by Sunbeams.
erview
> with the Rootes chemist responsible for the new substance TripolyOxyFerro=
n,
> which results from applying a new patented molecule to rusted steel, and =
is
> stronger than the original steel on which it is based.  This is expected =
to
> be received well by owners of existing Rootes products.  Also announced
> this month, by mail-order house J.C. Whitney, is a related product, a
> finish-abrading kit for car owners.  The news release claims =E2=80=9Cgua=
ranteed
> prompt restting of any car=E2=80=9D and urdes car owners to. =E2=80=9CMan=
 their cars
> sturdier today.=E2=80=9D  A legal blocking action by Norton, Bear and oth=
er
> sandpaper manufactures is pending.
>
> 1988:  Completing an industry consolidation unprecedented in history,
> Rootes Group has acquired both Morgan Cars, Ltd. and the Rover Group,
> leaving Rootes the only carmaker in Britain.  Rover=E2=80=99s Jaguar marq=
ue, always
> at a performance and marketing disadvantage versus Sunbeam, now faces an
> uncertain future.  A spokesman for Morgan, however, states that no change=
s
> to their operation are anticipated.
>
> 1991:  A news release from United Artists hints at details of
> =E2=80=9CIcebreaker,=E2=80=9D the next James Bond film.  Actor Michael J.=
 Fox, in the role
> for the third time, will drive a Sunbeam Tiger with suitable modification=
s
> in the picture.
>
> 1992:  Sunbeam dealers across the county can begin taking orders for
> ABS-equipped Tigers.  All that is required is to check off box LAT2718 on
> the order form.  Also, LAT2713, the rear-fasting third seat for the Husky
> mini-van, should begin shipping this week against all orders placed to da=
te.
>
> 1996:  Shrewd investors in the classic-car market suggest that the next
> =E2=80=9Csleeper=E2=80=9D bound for rapid increases in value is the Shelb=
y Cobra, an
> obscure roadster from the early 1960=E2=80=99s.  A few hundred of these
> Ford-powered sports cars were built, and they enjoyed some racing success=
es
> until succumbing to all-conquering Sunbeam Tigers.  Pick one up now for a=
s
> little as five thousand dollars, and you can expect the value to double i=
n
> the next five years.
>
> 2207:  Breakthroughs have been made on translating the transmission from
> Tau Ceti, giving valuable insight on how the Cetans became aware of us in
> the first place.  It seems that the Fredgling Cetan space program stumble=
d
> upon one of our old deep-space probes, the Star Tiger, launched by Rootes
> Aerospace late in the 20th century.  The earliest message-segments
> translated are requests for the whereabouts of one of their dieties, a Mr=
.
> Kenneth Howe, who the Cetans apparantly feel we can deliver to them.
> Historians are urgently searching the archives of the World Government fo=
r
> clues on the subject, as well as why the Cetans feel we share their
> religious deference for the number eight.  Stay netted for updates on thi=
s
> fast-breaking story.
> 1967:  British-Aerospace, a subsidiary of the Humber Divisions of the
> Rootes Group, has announced a joint venture with Renault-Aerospatiale to
> develop a supersonic transport airplane.  This =E2=80=9CSSA=E2=80=9D will=
 travel at nearly
> twice the speed of sound from London to New York in 2 hours.  Powered by
> phased arrays of 289 cu. in. V-8 motors, manufactured in Coventry by the
> Singer-Jaguar Division, are said to be capable of extra-atmospheric
> flight.  Ticket reservations are being taken for a 200 pound English
> Sterling deposit, or $250,000.00 American dollars.  (400 pound balance du=
e
> 6 months prior to departure).
>
> 1977: The first manned lunar landing, by Astronaught Sterling Moss, was
> accompanied by his cryptic historical comment =E2=80=9COne small step for=
 man one
> more world to conquer for Alpine!=E2=80=9D  His historic voyage aboard th=
e
> two-seater Sunbeam Tiger MoonMobile was only marred twice by having to
> smartly strike the Lucas fuel pump with his bumpershoot handle to restart
> the 900,000 horsepower Ford V-512 cylinder Tiger air-breathing rocket
> motor.  This motor is made by the Singer-Ford subsidiary of the Rootes
> Group in Colonial Arkansas.  Astronaught Moss pre-launch remarks about th=
e
> sensibility of carrying 250,000 miles of Dunlop-Goodyear air-hose was tak=
en
> as only in jest by His Majesty, while Mrs. Moss and the Children were
> present at the TV viewing in the luxurious and famous Tower of London Roy=
al
> Apartments. (Note from Jay: as most know, my dad was an actual rocket
> scientist, who certainly knew how to spell.  So I can only surmise that
> when my dad typed =E2=80=9Castronaught=E2=80=9D it was another one of his=
 tongue-in-cheek
> comments, and note that Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner spelled it that way fo=
r
> a gag they did).
>
> 1983:  The rumored production of a retro-Alpine 1955 dropped coupe by the
> insular Honda Motor Car Company of Japan has been denied by the Ministry =
of
> Trade and Industry (MITI).  They are quoted as saying =E2=80=9CAny manufa=
cture of
> products protected by international copyright and patent agreements could
> never happen in this country.  The rumor of nostalgia buffs is denied, an=
d
> apologies are tendered to His Majesty=E2=80=99s Government and were deliv=
ered
> toPrime Minister John F. Kennedy=E2=80=99s ambassador, the Right Honourab=
le Michael
> Jackson.=E2=80=9D  His Majesty=E2=80=99s Government accepted the apology =
and stood down the
> Colonial Seventh Fleet being prepared for battle in Cook=E2=80=99s Harbou=
r,
> Honolulu Colony.
>
> In other news, Setsumosa Kiosaka, manager of research and development at
> the Nissan-Mazda division of Honda was found to have committed ritual
> sepuku by severing his arms, legs, and head simultaneously in five rooms =
of
> his Tokyo apartment. No comment was forthcoming rom his widows or corpora=
te
> spokesmen.
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Unsubscribe:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/tigers/[email-masked]
>
>
>

--000000000000e61ffd05d1c9d4c1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Jay,</div><div>This was just brilliant! I too hear yo=
ur father&#39;s dry humor, it&#39;s what I grew up with around my house as =
well. I missed these the first time around as I didn&#39;t join the Tiger l=
ist until 2000 or so.<br></div><div>Bugz<br></div></div><br><div class=3D"g=
mail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 1=
0:44 PM Jay via Tigers &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">tigers@=
autox.team.net</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" st=
yle=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padd=
ing-left:1ex">I was going though old papers, and came across some early 199=
6 Tiger group emails that I had printed out back in 1996.=C2=A0 Yeah, remem=
ber that?=C2=A0 Paper printing?=C2=A0 This was 25 years ago!=C2=A0 Larry wa=
s clearly in a creative mood and sent five emails about alternative history=
, then my dad provided a few of his own.=C2=A0 I hope you enjoy this - and =
add some new ones!!!!=C2=A0 <br>
<br>
<br>
Larry=E2=80=99s (all five emails combined):<br>
<br>
1965:=C2=A0 Sunbeam=E2=80=99s fastback Tiger LeMans series now account for =
half of Tiger sales, outstripping sales of Chevrolet=E2=80=99s Corvette.=C2=
=A0 Ford=E2=80=99s new fastback, the Mustang, off to a slow start.<br>
<br>
1966:=C2=A0 For the second year in a row, Sunbeam Tigers finish 1-2-3 at bo=
th LeMans and Sebring.=C2=A0 The lightened Superleggera bodywork, supplied =
by Touring of Italy, provided a dramatic performance improvement versus the=
ir first efforts in 1964.<br>
<br>
1967:=C2=A0 Ford Motor Company resists pressure from its own dealers, and t=
heir domestic competition, to discount sales of engines to the Rootes Group=
, maker of the popular Sunbeam Tiger.=C2=A0 A six month waiting list exists=
 for the popular cars, while domestic high-performance cars languish on dea=
lers=E2=80=99 lots.<br>
<br>
1968:=C2=A0 Safety advocate Ralph Nader=E2=80=99s attack on the Sunbeam Tig=
er has fizzled.=C2=A0 His allegations of high risk for fire when struck fro=
m behind rang hollow when few instances of rear-end collisions were reports=
.=C2=A0 Sunbeam management was heard to comment on the car=E2=80=99s high s=
peed potential - &quot;if the Tiger is that fast, how could it be hit from =
behind?=E2=80=9D<br>
<br>
1969:=C2=A0 Yet again, the NHRA Summernationals dominated by the Tigress, a=
 variation of the popular Sunbeam Imp powered by Ford=E2=80=99s V8 engine.=
=C2=A0 Most important manufactures retrenching in the face of dizzying sale=
s of Rootes=E2=80=99 economy, and performance champion.<br>
<br>
1970:=C2=A0 What would have been epoch-making safety legislation this year =
has been voted down in the Senate.=C2=A0 The pressure of public opinion, le=
d by repeated protests by owners of the ubiquitous Sunbeam Tiger, indicates=
 the public just does not want the styling of their cars spoilt by heavier =
bumpers or other safety features.<br>
<br>
1971:=C2=A0 American Motors reports it may have to change its name, now bei=
ng owned by a British company.=C2=A0 The Rootes Group hopes to cover the be=
leaguered Kenosha company=E2=80=99s plants to production of the Sunbeam Tig=
er, which incidentally is rumored to be come mid-engined in the next model =
year.=C2=A0 It is hoped that Wsconsin=E2=80=99s economy will benefit as Bri=
tain=E2=80=99s has, with record low unemployment for yet another year.<br>
<br>
1972:=C2=A0 With so many of Ford=E2=80=99s V8 engine supplied in Rootes&#39=
; Sunbeam Tigers, as well as the expanded Humber range and the revived Sing=
er and Talbot brands, Ford is now the second biggest user of their own engi=
nes.=C2=A0 In other news, collectors are rumored to be removing those V8=E2=
=80=99s to install four-cylinder engines to create replicas of the now-disc=
ontinued Alpine variant.<br>
<br>
1973:=C2=A0 President McGovern today meets with Britain=E2=80=99s Prime Min=
ister George Harrison.=C2=A0 It is expected that the US may pull out of NAT=
O unless the balance-of-trade problem caused by sales of the cars built by =
the Rootes Group can be resolved.<br>
<br>
1974:=C2=A0 Sears, Roebuck &amp; Co. announced today that their 1,731 auto =
centers nationwide will become effectively Sunbeam Dealerships, offering ne=
w cars (badged as Allstates), servicing and parts.=C2=A0 Unique to Sears=E2=
=80=99 new approach is a racing preparation department, with high-performan=
ce engine by the Shelby American Corporation, a company believed to have be=
en involved with Sunbeam=E2=80=99s successes in the early 1960=E2=80=99s.<b=
r>
<br>
1979: Sunbeam=E2=80=99s return to Formula One racing is in its fifth year, =
and expecting a second championship for star driver Mario Andretti.=C2=A0 T=
he success enjoyed by Rootes=E2=80=99 competition department in using the F=
ord Cosworth V8 has prompted an announcement that this engine will power th=
e next generation Tiger, breathing new life into this perennial best-seller=
.<br>
<br>
1980:=C2=A0 The racing world was shocked today by NASCAR=E2=80=99s decision=
 to admit the Kenosha-built Tigers in Grand National racing, leaving no maj=
or motorsports venue secure from the primacy of the Rootes group.=C2=A0 One=
 wonders if the carnival bumper-car rides are the only place to avoid being=
 trounced by Sunbeams.<br>
<br>
1982:=C2=A0 This month=E2=80=99s Auto Industry Report features an in-depth =
interview with the Rootes chemist responsible for the new substance Tripoly=
OxyFerron, which results from applying a new patented molecule to rusted st=
eel, and is stronger than the original steel on which it is based.=C2=A0 Th=
is is expected to be received well by owners of existing Rootes products.=
=C2=A0 Also announced this month, by mail-order house J.C. Whitney, is a re=
lated product, a finish-abrading kit for car owners.=C2=A0 The news release=
 claims =E2=80=9Cguaranteed prompt restting of any car=E2=80=9D and urdes c=
ar owners to. =E2=80=9CMan their cars sturdier today.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0 A lega=
l blocking action by Norton, Bear and other sandpaper manufactures is pendi=
ng.<br>
<br>
1988:=C2=A0 Completing an industry consolidation unprecedented in history, =
Rootes Group has acquired both Morgan Cars, Ltd. and the Rover Group, leavi=
ng Rootes the only carmaker in Britain.=C2=A0 Rover=E2=80=99s Jaguar marque=
, always at a performance and marketing disadvantage versus Sunbeam, now fa=
ces an uncertain future.=C2=A0 A spokesman for Morgan, however, states that=
 no changes to their operation are anticipated.<br>
<br>
1991:=C2=A0 A news release from United Artists hints at details of =E2=80=
=9CIcebreaker,=E2=80=9D the next James Bond film.=C2=A0 Actor Michael J. Fo=
x, in the role for the third time, will drive a Sunbeam Tiger with suitable=
 modifications in the picture.<br>
<br>
1992:=C2=A0 Sunbeam dealers across the county can begin taking orders for A=
BS-equipped Tigers.=C2=A0 All that is required is to check off box LAT2718 =
on the order form.=C2=A0 Also, LAT2713, the rear-fasting third seat for the=
 Husky mini-van, should begin shipping this week against all orders placed =
to date.<br>
<br>
1996:=C2=A0 Shrewd investors in the classic-car market suggest that the nex=
t =E2=80=9Csleeper=E2=80=9D bound for rapid increases in value is the Shelb=
y Cobra, an obscure roadster from the early 1960=E2=80=99s.=C2=A0 A few hun=
dred of these Ford-powered sports cars were built, and they enjoyed some ra=
cing successes until succumbing to all-conquering Sunbeam Tigers.=C2=A0 Pic=
k one up now for as little as five thousand dollars, and you can expect the=
 value to double in the next five years.<br>
<br>
2207:=C2=A0 Breakthroughs have been made on translating the transmission fr=
om Tau Ceti, giving valuable insight on how the Cetans became aware of us i=
n the first place.=C2=A0 It seems that the Fredgling Cetan space program st=
umbled upon one of our old deep-space probes, the Star Tiger, launched by R=
ootes Aerospace late in the 20th century.=C2=A0 The earliest message-segmen=
ts translated are requests for the whereabouts of one of their dieties, a M=
r. Kenneth Howe, who the Cetans apparantly feel we can deliver to them.=C2=
=A0 Historians are urgently searching the archives of the World Government =
for clues on the subject, as well as why the Cetans feel we share their rel=
igious deference for the number eight.=C2=A0 Stay netted for updates on thi=
s fast-breaking story.<br>
<br>
Steve Laifman (I so hear his humor in these):<br>
<br>
1967:=C2=A0 British-Aerospace, a subsidiary of the Humber Divisions of the =
Rootes Group, has announced a joint venture with Renault-Aerospatiale to de=
velop a supersonic transport airplane.=C2=A0 This =E2=80=9CSSA=E2=80=9D wil=
l travel at nearly twice the speed of sound from London to New York in 2 ho=
urs.=C2=A0 Powered by phased arrays of 289 cu. in. V-8 motors, manufactured=
 in Coventry by the Singer-Jaguar Division, are said to be capable of extra=
-atmospheric flight.=C2=A0 Ticket reservations are being taken for a 200 po=
und English Sterling deposit, or $250,000.00 American dollars.=C2=A0 (400 p=
ound balance due 6 months prior to departure).<br>
<br>
1977: The first manned lunar landing, by Astronaught Sterling Moss, was acc=
ompanied by his cryptic historical comment =E2=80=9COne small step for man =
one more world to conquer for Alpine!=E2=80=9D=C2=A0 His historic voyage ab=
oard the two-seater Sunbeam Tiger MoonMobile was only marred twice by havin=
g to smartly strike the Lucas fuel pump with his bumpershoot handle to rest=
art the 900,000 horsepower Ford V-512 cylinder Tiger air-breathing rocket m=
otor.=C2=A0 This motor is made by the Singer-Ford subsidiary of the Rootes =
Group in Colonial Arkansas.=C2=A0 Astronaught Moss pre-launch remarks about=
 the sensibility of carrying 250,000 miles of Dunlop-Goodyear air-hose was =
taken as only in jest by His Majesty, while Mrs. Moss and the Children were=
 present at the TV viewing in the luxurious and famous Tower of London Roya=
l Apartments. (Note from Jay: as most know, my dad was an actual rocket sci=
entist, who certainly knew how to spell.=C2=A0 So I can only surmise that w=
hen my dad typed =E2=80=9Castronaught=E2=80=9D it was another one of his to=
ngue-in-cheek comments, and note that Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner spelled it=
 that way for a gag they did).<br>
<br>
1983:=C2=A0 The rumored production of a retro-Alpine 1955 dropped coupe by =
the insular Honda Motor Car Company of Japan has been denied by the Ministr=
y of Trade and Industry (MITI).=C2=A0 They are quoted as saying =E2=80=9CAn=
y manufacture of products protected by international copyright and patent a=
greements could never happen in this country.=C2=A0 The rumor of nostalgia =
buffs is denied, and apologies are tendered to His Majesty=E2=80=99s Govern=
ment and were delivered toPrime Minister John F. Kennedy=E2=80=99s ambassad=
or, the Right Honourable Michael Jackson.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0 His Majesty=E2=80=
=99s Government accepted the apology and stood down the Colonial Seventh Fl=
eet being prepared for battle in Cook=E2=80=99s Harbour, Honolulu Colony. <=
br>
<br>
In other news, Setsumosa Kiosaka, manager of research and development at th=
e Nissan-Mazda division of Honda was found to have committed ritual sepuku =
by severing his arms, legs, and head simultaneously in five rooms of his To=
kyo apartment. No comment was forthcoming rom his widows or corporate spoke=
smen.=C2=A0 <br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]=
m.net</a><br>
<br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/tigers" rel=3D"noreferrer=
" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/tigers</a> <a href=3D"htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://aut=
ox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
Unsubscribe: <a href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/tigers/mark44=
[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.team.net/m=
ailman/options/tigers/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>

--000000000000e61ffd05d1c9d4c1--

--===============8415631256761106651==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

[email-masked]

--===============8415631256761106651==--