The Rootes Group built respectable but not high-performance British automobiles. John Panks, president of Rootes’ New York operations, instigated the design of what became the Sunbeam Tiger roadster. Suggested by Jack Brabham, of Indy 500 fame, and assembled by Carroll Shelby, a small American V-8 engine was shoe-horned into a Sunbeam Alpine roadster. In keeping with Rootes’ desire for subtlety, the Tiger had few exterior changes from its sister, the four-cylinder Alpine. The Tiger II was created when it received a slightly larger V-8 engine and Ford transmission. Originally planned to feature four-wheel disc brakes, the Tiger II began production when Rootes was already under control of the Chrysler Corporation. The Tiger II came to an end in 1967 after 536 vehicles were produced.