how can you tell if a Sunbeam Tiger is real or a clone?

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## 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:

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### **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](https://www.sunbeamtiger.org) to see if a car has already been authenticated

**Important:** TAC certifies the *body shell* — not whether drivetrain components are original.

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### **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.

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### **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!

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### **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.

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### **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

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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?

Lot 0237: 1967 Sunbeam Tiger

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Lot 0237: 1967 Sunbeam Tiger

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