I liked them so much, I went back for the #10 "British Car Classics (TR-3, Jag Mk II & XK-8, Aston Martin DB-5, and '27 blower Bentley). The bonus cars were mostly 90s supercars and hot rods, but there was a classic Studebaker. No Sunbeams, right? Well, while I was looking at the "Italian Sportscars" collection, I spied a familiar shape in the bonus section. . . a red Sunbeam Tiger. It even had embossing for the chrome side stripe and rear badge. My guess is that it is a copy of the Agent 86 car.
Also, while at the Monterey Historics, I came across an Alpine model in pewter at about 1/80 scale. It was $12, and I bought one. It was listed on the box as a S II alpine, but was a S V low-fin car (I could even pick out the square hood and door corners). Nice detail, and RHD. They had a Tiger also. I have the dealer's card somewhere, and will post details if I can dig out. There were also enameled pins and the standard patches for Alpine and Tiger. Good to know the marque is still alive in the classic car merchandising biz.
Matchbox has also started a Cars of the Stars line. #1 of the series is a Taxi from the TV show (what else) "Taxi". Can the "Get Smart" Sunbeam be far behind? At present, the Get Smart Tiger is not on the list of TV cars they plan to model, so a few requests might put it there. If we all write Matchbox and demand it, it may happen. Let them see the raw power of our mailing lists. Try www.matchboxtoys.com They have a survey you can fill out listing your preferences.
Rex Funk