Automodello 1964 Sunbeam

Introducing the Automodello 1964 Sunbeam Tiger Mark I, finished in a glass like British Racing Green, and including an up-top along with a custom display case. This gorgeous replica was scaled for the 1:43 market, in resin, and it is limited to 134 pieces worldwide. Included with the Automodello replica besides the custom display case is a certificate of authenticity, all for $135 plus shipping and handling.

When I first laid eyes on this one I remembered the classic television show of the sixties "Get Smart" starring none other than Don Adams as secret agent Maxwell Smart, agent 86. Maxell, for those of you who didn't know him was as dumb as a stump. However, he did have a shoe phone which he was always talking into it, and most viewers thought that was cool.

Personally, I thought the series was stupid and in my view only thing he had going for him was his gorgeous partner, Barbara Feldon as agent 99 and the car he drove, which just happened to be a red Sunbeam Tiger. You were wondering where I was going with this now weren't you?

Known as the poor man's Cobra the Sunbeam Tiger had some pretty impressive get up and go. When this automobile was originally produced it was to have a relatively anemic four-cylinder engine under the hood. The hybrid however was powered first by a 260-c.i. Ford V8 and then for a short time by a Ford 289. The original prototype was put together by Carroll himself at Shelby America.

Unlike the Cobra, the Tiger was assembled in Britain by Jensen, using trimmed rolling chassis supplied by Rootes to accept the Ford engines. But also unlike the Cobra, with a little patience and some knowledgeable advice, you can find these retro-rockets for less than the price of a good used Miata.

To learn more about the Sunbeam Tiger please visit SportsCarMarket.com

The model we received for photos and reviews was a stunning little gem; the color fit it perfectly. However, the top didn't impress me; the fit was sloppy and I don't know what would keep it in place. Personally, I would lose the top and simply ship it as a convertible. I will say the finish flawless and glass like, scribe lines were exceptional and the scripts were all perfect. The model really displayed beautifully, it was everything I remembered the automobile to be and more.

Viewing the interior, it too was well done, with nothing out of place and highly detailed too. Honestly, the Automodello models are a high-end replica, nothing cheap looking or toy like about this mint. The dash was fully detailed with a very impressive instrument cluster. The seats had a nice leather look, not a plastic toy or kit appearance. I highly recommend this model if you are a kid of the sixties and loved those secret agents.

Bottom line on this one is it looks as good in person as it does in our images. Everything, and I do mean everything, about this replica is high-end, with unprecedented attention to detail. Fit, finish, scribe lines and chrome are all perfect. I was not impressed with the top, but this was a pre-production sample so the top may have a better fit once the run goes into production.

If you are into 1:43 replicas then the Tiger will be a nice fit into your collection of foreign pieces with an American twist. Order it today; you won't be disappointed; I wasn't. (Four Corks)

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