Lot 0237: 1967 Sunbeam Tiger
- 73k mi TMU
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Location: Hunt County, Texas, USA
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Originality: Original & Highly Originalinfo
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Transmission: Manual
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Handedness: LHD
- There are 0 Sunbeam Tiger - Mk II for sale right now.
Vehicle Details
how can you tell if a Sunbeam Tiger is real or a clone?
How to Tell a Real Sunbeam Tiger from a Clone
The car you were looking at is actually a perfect teaching moment! It’s what enthusiasts call a “re-body” — the seller discovered it had a Sunbeam Alpine body with factory Tiger VIN and JAL tags transferred onto it. This is exactly what makes Tiger authentication tricky. Here’s how to spot the real deal:
1. The Gold Standard: TAC Authentication
The Tiger Authentication Committee (TAC) is the authority for verifying authentic Tigers. They’re a service of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association (STOA) and have inspected thousands of cars. Here’s how it works:
- Three certified TAC inspectors independently examine the vehicle
- They focus on the body shell — confirming it was built by Jensen Motors with Tiger-specific modifications
- Cars that pass receive a Certificate of Authenticity — an official 8.5” × 11” affidavit documenting the VIN, JAL number, and verified status
- You can check the TAC database to see if a car has already been authenticated
Important: TAC certifies the body shell — not whether drivetrain components are original.
2. Visual Clues: Firewall & Engine Bay (Where Clones Get Caught)
This is where the Alpine vs. Tiger differences matter most — and where that “re-body” would be exposed:
| Feature | Authentic Tiger | Alpine (or Clone) |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall shape | Concave/convex bulge to accommodate the V8 further back | Flat firewall |
| Spark plug access panel | Factory cut holes with rubber plugs on the driver’s side bulkhead (above the accelerator pedal) for reaching #8 plug and rear valve cover bolt | No access holes |
| Steering | Rack-and-pinion mounted to frame rails (needed because the V8 blocks space for Alpine steering box) | Steering box on steering column |
| Engine bay bracing | Additional structural bracing for V8 torque and weight | Different bracing pattern |
| Motor mounts | Unique engine mount towers welded to front suspension crossmember | Alpine 4-cylinder mounts |
The spark plug access holes are a dead giveaway — Carroll Shelby had Jensen modify the firewall specifically for V8 maintenance access. No factory-built Tiger skipped this.
3. Tag Locations (Easy to Fake, But Check Anyway)
- VIN plate: Passenger side firewall, on the cowl
- JAL tag: Jensen Assembly Line plate, also on passenger firewall near VIN plate
- Engine number: Stamped on right-side valve cover
⚠️ Warning: Both VIN and JAL plates are easy to remove and transfer — as demonstrated by the re-body you were looking at. Tags matching a database doesn’t guarantee an authentic body!
4. Your Specific Listing: A Cautionary Tale
The 1967 “Tiger” you were viewing is a textbook example of what can go wrong:
- Sold as: Factory Tiger with original drivetrain
- TAC inspection revealed: Alpine body with transferred Tiger tags
- Reported VIN: B382100237LRXFE
- Reality: The body shell was never a Tiger from Jensen’s assembly line
This is why savvy buyers get TAC verification before purchasing, or at minimum, know exactly what to look for in the engine bay.
5. Quick Pre-Purchase Checklist
If you’re shopping for a Tiger:
✅ Best: Verify TAC Certificate of Authenticity exists
✅ Must: Inspect firewall for spark plug access panel
✅ Must: Confirm rack-and-pinion steering (not box)
✅ Should: Match VIN/JAL/engine numbers against TAC database
✅ Red flag: Fresh paint hiding bodywork, mismatched panel gaps, or seller resistance to expert inspection
The Tiger market page (https://classic.com/m/sunbeam/tiger/mark-ii/) has other authentic Mark II Tigers listed if you’d like to compare — and I’d be happy to help you find one with proper TAC documentation.
Want me to search for TAC-certified Tigers currently for sale? Or do you have questions about any of these authentication details?