Tim wrote:
> Not to many Alpines with V8's installed have retained their Alpine script
> and other Alpine "only" emblems etc.
> The Alger was never commisioned by Rootes! Is a kit Cobra that is
> well done any less of a Shelby in the same spirit of the Shelby Cobra?
> Carrol Shelby has spent years in court answering this question.
Tim perhaps I'm fighting someone elses battle for them, but here in Ventura
Co. there is a guy that put a 1994 injected 5.0 in his Alpine, converted to
R&P steering etc. This car still retains the Alpine script. It is a very
well thought out and executed conversion. To call this car an Alger is
applying a title that the owner never intended. He has a modified Alpine.
This car WAS commisioned by Rootes in its original Alpine configuration,
however it has now been modified. Though not a Tiger, it is still a Sunbeam.
The Cobra kit cars are knock-offs, they never were Colbra's. There is a
difference between say .... a 427 knock-off and a real 289 Cobra that
someone (foolishly might I add) installed a 427 in. It may not be a real
427 Cobra, but it would still be a real "modified" Cobra. To that extent
even an intentionally fraudulent Alger is still a Sunbeam. It just need to
be identified for what it really is a personally modified V-8 Sunbeam Alpine
(buyer beware).
I fully understand the concern about bogus Tigers, they should be called
out for what they are. But I do think that some measure of respect should be
given to someone who modifies their Alpine in the "spirit of the Tiger"
without trying to pass it off as one. Rather than seeing these cars as the
"Bastard Child" I think they should be seen as the Sunbeam (Tiger) "Step
Brother." These people are, after all, still Sunbeam owners.
Just some food for thought (I'm really not trying to be obnoxious): If I
take my real Tiger, convert it to an Alpine, should I leave the Tiger script
on?
Respectfully, Tom Witt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Jordan" <tjordan@wagnerprocess.com>
To: "Tom Witt" <wittsend@jps.net>
Cc: "tigers" <tigers@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 2:02 PM
Subject: Re: Tigers United wish list
> Tom,
>
> > I have observed that when someone puts the Ford V-6 in an Alpine the
> > general reaction is favorable ("nice job"). Yet should someone put a
Ford
> > V-8 in an Alpine that guy is often a @#$%^&* FRAUD!
>
> Problem is when the owner of the Alpine with the new V8 decides to attach
> TIGER script to the fenders. He also figures it would be cool to attach a
> JAL and Tiger chassis tag to the Alpine cowl. Funny how these guys always
> forget to attach the TAC sticker to the Alpine!
> Not to many Alpines with V8's installed have retained their Alpine script
> and other Alpine "only" emblems etc. How many Alpines with V6 engines
> installed have been passed on as a Tiger? ZERO! How many Alpines with V8
> engines installed have been sold as Tigers? Ten, twenty, or more? The
> issue is what happens after the V8 is installed in the Alpine. These
> conversions are usually presented and often offered for sale as Tigers and
> thus the apprehension from the Tiger community.
>
> > The better questions asked are: Is this a Sunbeam event,
> > or is it a Tiger event. Is this an event for Stock only cars or do
> modified
> > cars have their merit.
>
> SUNI: all Sunbeams welcome and I believe multiple classes for Sunbeam
models
> other than Tiger.
> TU (west): All welcome, Sunbeam Tiger classes only including stock,
> personalized and modified.
> TU (east): Not sure of the classes offered
>
> > In a very real sense the Ken Miles car and the Shelby car were just
> modified Alpines.
>
> This is correct, they were the first two prototypes, with the Shelby
Alpine
> conversion going to Rootes for production analysis.
>
> >Were the AF (Alpine Ford) cars really Tigers (as sold to the general
> public) or did they only become Tigers when those that >were refurbished
> were offered up? Are the LeMans Tigers simply a Tiger by badge?
> > They are in fact (multiple) "one off" vehicles.
>
> AF Tigers were preproduction and production Tigers that had the V8's
> installed by the Rootes engineers or the Jenson factory. They were not
> Alpine conversions done outside of the factory. The LeMans Tigers are
each
> one off racecars. One was the "Mule" or test car, the other two were
> developed as Tiger Coupes for the LeMans race only. My thought is that a
> seperate class could be used for all these special factory Tigers/Alpine
> conversions.
>
>
> >.Should one be prohibited from bettering their Tiger at the
> > cost of performance and safety just to be an eligible contestant?
>
> No, put your Tiger in the personalized or modified class.
>
> >Is an Alger (presented as such) that is well done any less of a Sunbeam
in
> the
> > same spirit of the Tiger?
>
> YES! The Alger was never commisioned by Rootes! Is a kit Cobra that is
> well done any less of a Shelby in the same spirit of the Shelby Cobra?
> Carrol Shelby has spent years in court answering this question.
>
> tjj
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