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Starting with a deep respect for Agent 86's sophisticated manner and choice of transport (at least for the first 2 seasons) and an admiration for Carol Shelby's inclination to solve problems with cubic inches, I'd always thought the Tiger to be a pleasing sort of whatsit. Hence, as 2 Yankees in Queen Elizabeth's Court (or at the very least 2 folks from the U.S. of A. living 4 tube stops, 1 transfer and a 15 minute walk away from HRH Queen Elizabeth II's London residence), I convinced my wife that it would be fitting tribute to all involved to acquire a stonking piece of machinery that bridged the cultural divide. A British 2 seater with clean 60s styling powered by classic Detroit iron was just the sort of thing that the situation required.
A short while later we became the caretakers of B9471206. We found this particular example of the marque through the STOC, in particular Brian Postle and Keith Hampson, who besides being actively involved in the club also run a parts and a restoration business, servicing Tigers in particular (Sunbeam Spares). B9471206 had a ground up restoration by Keith in 1996/1997 and took STOC Best Restoration in 1998 - all in aid of being used on the PO's honeymoon, Hugh Jarvis. Hugh's growing family (and half completed kitchen) found the Tiger being used less and less, hence his decision to sell in early 1999 (though the evine tells me he has since supplemented the family transport with a Bugeye/Frogeye Sprite). An introduction by Brian and a lecture from Keith about the need for B9471206 to go to a good home, about being a good caretaker of the car for future generations, etc., and one largish cheque later (NB: UK spelling) and B9471206 was ours
B9471206 is a MK1 completed on 14 Dec 1964 (thanks Norm!) but was first registered as an 1965. Little of the early history is know prior to the PO's purchasing it sight unseen in 1989 from Texas, US to be shipped to the UK. The PO drove it as a left-hooker until its restoration in 1996/1997 when it was flipped to be a righ-hooker. It now sports a hi-po 289ci, Performance Superlite wheels, Talbot Vert Timor paint, red leather interior, black mohair top, improved cooling (a work in progess, as ever), Spax shocks, fuel pump in the boot/trunk, etc., etc., and it's last inspection sticker from the great state of Texas. It also came complete with the usual TODO list - improve cooling, fix horn ring, install radio, petrol guage reads *WAY* off the mark, ... Ah, the joys of Tiger'ing.
