26 replies to this topic

[66TigerMk1A]

Please explain your answer/feelings on the subject.

I have personally had my Tiger put in the Shelby class at some shows and not allowed in others.  Just wondering what the general opinion is.

[rocky]

The tiger has a ford engine but it does not display any shelby badges,

[twobjshelbys]

Yes, it is.  Most car folks don't really know the linkage.

[Cali_KR]

Although Shelby was contacted and given funds to develop the car, Ken Miles did it on his own, in his own shop.

After the mule was built, the cars were built in the Jensen plant in UK without any Shelby involvment. In fact, in the end when Chrysler bought Rootes in 1967, they were Ford powered while carrying the Chrysler Insignia on the front fenders...The small block 283 wouldn't fit as the distributor was in the back, and as such not enough clearance. Good bye Tiger.

The West Coast Sales Manager of Rootes American Motors Inc., Ian Garrad, realized that the Alpine's image was that of a touring car rather than a sports car, and he, along with Richard R. Hovis set about changing its image, using the recent success of the Shelby Cobra as a guide. He and Rootes' Western Service Manager Walter McKenzie measured up several V8 engines and determined that Ford's new 164 hp (122 kW) 260 cu in (4.3 L) Windsor V8 engine would fit nicely between the frame rails.
Sunbeam asked Carroll Shelby to produce one functional prototype on a budget of $10,000. Shelby's prototype was designed by Richard R. Hovis, and fabricated by Shelby employee George Boskoff, and the result was judged to be good enough to send to England for production evaluation.
Seeking reassurance everything would fit, a second Series 2 Alpine was handed to Ken Miles. A talented racer and fabricator in his own right, Miles had just been employed by Shelby American. Using his own shop facilities, he managed to install a 260 cu.in. V8 and two-speed automatic into the Alpine in less than a week, at a total cost of $600. Having served its feasibility study purpose, the Miles prototype was kept by Rootes Motors Inc. Los Angeles for some time until its sale to a private buyer.

I was a Tiger owner for 8 years, but never considered it a Shelby, and never had it in the Shelby class, rather, my thought is it belongs in the "special interest" category.

I miss mine, and after seeing two fine examples at the Cobra Reunion this past weekend, I realized how much so....

[Torch40]

I'm going with TD and a no vote on a Tiger being a Shelby. It's a Tiger. Nothing wrong with that.

[66TigerMk1A]

Cali_KR, on 25 April 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

Although Shelby was contacted and given funds to develop the car, Ken Miles did it on his own, in his own shop.

Not completely correct.  Ken Miles made a second prototype that failed miserably as the Alpine's steering box was retained and the V8 sat too far forward and was attached to a slushbox.  The Shelby shop built Tiger is what went to production.

An interesting fact - Shelby was paid a royalty for each of the 7058 Tigers sold.

Ken Miles Prototype - Tiger #1 - http://www.classicti...tos/proto-1.htm

Carroll Shelby Prototype - Tiger #2 - http://www.classicti...tos/proto-2.htm

Edited by 66TigerMk1A, 25 April 2012 - 03:57 PM.

[Cali_KR]

66TigerMk1A, on 25 April 2012 - 03:41 PM, said:

An interesting fact - Shelby was paid a royalty for each of the 7058 Tigers sold.

Thanx for the reminder...I'd forgotten this bit of info as it has been 20 years since I read Chris Taylors book...

No doubt of the history, but in my opinion it still isn't a Shelby. If being touched, tested, advised were the criteria, then the GT40 (when the Deuce hired 'ol Shel to beat Ferraris ass), the Toyota 2000GT, the Viper and the new gen FordGT, by extension would all be considered Shelbys.

The Tiger has a very unique place in automotive history, and as a previous owner, nothing but respect for the marque. Again, just my opinion regarding your initial question of car show placement...if you're in it for the carshow hardware, I'm thinking you'd do better in the special interest category.

Hang on to that car, the prices seem to be climbing, and they are damn fun to drive too...always liked the surprised looks on peoples faces when you pull up beside them and instead a 4cyl sewing machine, they'd hear the rumble of that wonderful Ford small block.

Have a great car show season.

Edited by Cali_KR, 26 April 2012 - 07:37 AM.

[66TigerMk1A]

Cali_KR, on 26 April 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

Hang on to that car, the prices seem to be climbing, and they are damn fun to drive too...always liked the surprised looks on peoples faces when you pull up beside them and instead a 4cyl sewing machine, they'd hear the rumble of that wonderful Ford small block.

Have a great car show season.

Thanks!

I think the worrd is getting out in my area about my Tiger.  Not too many people want to play anymore.

[Cali_KR]

66TigerMk1A, on 26 April 2012 - 07:50 AM, said:

Thanks!

I think the worrd is getting out in my area about my Tiger.  Not too many people want to play anymore.

small car with skinny tires = big time ass whoopin'    love the youtube clip

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Cali_KR, on 26 April 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

No doubt of the history, but in my opinion it still isn't a Shelby. If being touched, tested, advised were the criteria, then the GT40 (when the Deuce hired 'ol Shel to beat Ferraris ass), the Toyota 2000GT, the Viper and the new gen FordGT, by extension would all be considered Shelbys.

I completely agree with Cali KR...Calling a Sunbeam Tiger a Shelby would be like calling a Pontiac GTO a Delorean.

Just because John Delorean had his hands in it, doesn't make it a Delorean. The same goes with a Tiger;

Just because Carroll Shelby had his hands in it, doesn't make it a Shelby.


Phill

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Should we call a Mustang a Iaccoca?


Phill

Edited by 2010KonaBlueGT, 26 April 2012 - 08:19 AM.

[JeffJ]

Pretty much as much as a Dodge Viper being a Shelby I would think.  Carroll was heavily involved in the design and development of that car also.  Doubt you will find many Viper owners calling them Shelby's.  Although you might......

Edited by JeffJ, 26 April 2012 - 09:28 AM.

[shelbymotorsports]

Both Phil & Jeff posted some perfect examples on why the Tiger should not be considered a Shelby model. Another example would be the GT40.

Steve

[rocky]

I owned a tiger with a 260 ci ford engine and nowhere on or in the car was there anything with the shelby name, it was a tiger and in its own right a very interesting car to say the least....

[66TigerMk1A]

rocky, on 26 April 2012 - 12:54 PM, said:

nowhere on or in the car was there anything with the shelby name

I'll just leave this here -


Need to do some searching but I know of at least five other Tigers he has personally signed.  I thought his policy was to never sign anything that was not a Shelby?  

He also sold Tigers out of his CA dealership in the 60's



To summarize thus far -
Shelby produced the prototype that went to production
Shelby was payed a $5 royalty for every Tiger produced. $35K is no chump change in the mid 60s.
Shelby sold the Tiger in his dealership along with Cobras
Shelby has personally signed several Tigers
Shelby was featured in advertisements for the Tiger
Shelby has a Tiger in his personal collection


Maybe Carroll will cast a vote. ;^)

An interesting Shelby/Tiger debate between Tiger guys in 1999 - http://www.team.net/...3/msg00118.html

Edited by 66TigerMk1A, 26 April 2012 - 05:11 PM.

[shelbymotorsports]

Quote

Need to do some searching but I know of at least five other Tigers he has personally signed. I thought his policy was to never sign anything that was not a Shelby?

Nope, no policy like that. And if an autograph is what makes a car a Shelby then the guy with the Camaro at the Bash two years ago has something special

Steve

[rocky]

I dont know why you are trying so hard to make your tiger a shelby as i said i owned a tiger and thats what it was, of course shelby did not sign mine but if that is what makes your tiger a shelby then you have a shelby, but mine was a tiger and there were not many around, more people back in the 1960's knew about the shelby than they did the tiger so i was proud to call mine a tiger not a shelby.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

shelbymotorsports, on 26 April 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

And if an autograph is what makes a car a Shelby then the guy with the Camaro at the Bash two years ago has something special

Or the gawd awful Mustang V-6 that a guy at Shelby LV was so proud of becase Shelby signed it. Me and Steve Mansell were trying our best not to insult the guy but the first thought that came to my mind was, "Big deal. It's not a Shelby so why are you so impressed that Shelby signed it?".

And he made a BIG point out of telling us "And Shelby didn't even charge me for it!".

I always say "To each his own" but this thing was gawd awful ugly looking.

But hey, since Shel signed it, by your logic it's a Shelby!!!

NOOOOTTTTTT!


Phill

[Torch40]

66TigerMk1A, on 26 April 2012 - 02:40 PM, said:

I'll just leave this here - Need to do some searching but I know of at least five other Tigers he has personally signed. I thought his policy was to never sign anything that was not a Shelby? He also sold Tigers out of his CA dealership in the 60's To summarize thus far - Shelby produced the prototype that went to production Shelby was payed a $5 royalty for every Tiger produced. $35K is no chump change in the mid 60s. Shelby sold the Tiger in his dealership along with Cobras Shelby has personally signed several Tigers Shelby was featured in advertisements for the Tiger Shelby has a Tiger in his personal collection Maybe Carroll will cast a vote. ;^) An interesting Shelby/Tiger debate between Tiger guys in 1999 - http://www.team.net/...3/msg00118.html

OK you’re right it’s a Shelby.

[Helix]

This has been extremely informative. As to what my knowledge has served, I'd put my opinion as Shelby had more involvement with the Tiger than the Viper, granted I've never even seen a Tiger up close. I voted hard to determine due to my open slate for this topic
However, I'd have to say its not a Shelby, but I also wouldn't forget his involvement.
As for the v6, a Mustang is a Mustang, and a Shelby Mustang is a Mustang. But, a Mustang is not a Shelby Mustang. Hopefully your not just saying screw v6 owners but if Carrol Shelby signed my v6 I'd be proud. NO, I would NOT say I have a Shelby Mustang, I'd say I am a Ford Mustang owner who had the honor of having my vehicle signed by Carrol Shelby (granted, for that matter, I would rather he not sign the car but rather something more 'I can keep this in the house' oriented).
Either way, sadly, hearing the term "Shelby Tiger" would just be asking for debates everywhere you go.