Rediscovering the Sunbeam Super Tiger's Drag Racing Legacy

Summary

Sources

hemmings.com

In the intricate world of classic cars, some vehicles carry enigmatic legacies that beckon enthusiasts to uncover more about their storied pasts. One such vehicle is the Sunbeam Super Tiger, a car with a rich yet partially obscured history in drag racing. The trail of the Sunbeam Super Tigers past was picked up by Matthew Taylor, who embarked on an investigative journey after learning about the cars historical significance in racing circles. Originally configured at Lew Spencer’s Hi-Performance Motors, the Sunbeam Super Tiger, also known simply as the Super Tiger, made a notable impact on the drag racing scene from nineteen sixty-five to nineteen sixty-seven. Piloted by Gordon Chittenden and sponsored by Larry Reed Sportscars, the car was a formidable contender on various Los Angeles area strips, including Lions, Riverside, Pomona, Irwindale, and Fontana. Despite the passage of time, one of the cars most remarkable achievements—a fastest time of twelve point ninety-five seconds at one hundred eight MPH—continues to echo as a testament to its capabilities. However, the full extent of the Super Tigers achievements remains shrouded in mystery due to less-than-ideal record-keeping by the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA). Matthew Taylor, driven by a desire to piece together the cars fragmented history, has turned to the community for assistance. As an active member of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association (STOA), Taylor has reached out to individuals like Larry Reed and Scott Chittenden, seeking any information, photographs, or leads that could shed light on the Super Tigers racing days. The quest for information is not just a personal endeavor for Taylor but a communal effort among classic car enthusiasts who share a passion for preserving and celebrating the legacy of unique vehicles like the Sunbeam Super Tiger. As the restoration of the car progresses, there is an eager anticipation within the community about what other historical details might surface, offering a clearer picture of the cars prestigious past on the drag racing circuits. The journey into the racing legacy of the Sunbeam Super Tiger offers a glimpse into a dynamic period in American drag racing history. Between nineteen sixty-five and nineteen sixty-seven, the Super Tiger, under the skilled hands of driver Gordon Chittenden and the sponsorship of Larry Reed Sportscars, carved its name into the annals of motorsport lore. Configured at Lew Spencer’s Hi-Performance Motors, the car was fine-tuned to achieve optimal performance, making it a formidable competitor on the track. Racing across various well-known Los Angeles area strips such as Lions, Riverside, Pomona, Irwindale, and Fontana, the Super Tiger demonstrated its prowess repeatedly. Despite the challenges of accurately documenting its races—a common issue due to the substandard record-keeping practices by the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) at the time—the cars fastest recorded time stands out. Clocking in at twelve point ninety-five seconds at a speed of one hundred eight miles per hour, this record not only highlights the car’s capability but also cements its place as a significant participant in drag racing history. This recorded time is particularly significant as it underscores the mechanical and strategic expertise that went into the car’s configuration and race day preparations. The challenges posed by the AHRAs poor record-keeping have made these achievements all the more remarkable, as each piece of data recovered or remembered adds a valuable layer to the cars storied legacy. As enthusiasts like Matthew Taylor continue to unearth and compile data about the Super Tiger, each discovery helps in piecing together the broader narrative of this cars impressive track record and its impact on the sport during its prime years. These efforts ensure that the legacy of the Sunbeam Super Tiger is not only preserved but celebrated in the annals of classic car history.