1964 Sunbeam Tiger

1964 Sunbeam Tiger ex Works Rally Car
The ex-Lewis/ Hughes, Cowan/ Turvey, Gatsonides/ Ilken, Riley/ Turvey, Harper/ Turvey

Reg. ‘AHP294B’
Chassis no. B9470014

Car highlights

- Built by Rootes' Competition Department
- One of only five surviving works Sunbeam Tiger rally cars
- Known competition and ownership history
- professionally restored to correct specification in 2015
- Substantial history file
- Original UK registration number plate from the factory

Ultra-Rare 1964 Sunbeam Tiger Works Rally Car
A true collector’s dream, this exceptional 1964 Sunbeam Tiger works rally car, ‘AHP 294B,’ stands as one of only five surviving examples built by Rootes' Competition Department. AHP294B being the most campaigned of all these cars. With an extensive and impressive motorsport history, this meticulously restored Tiger is an opportunity to own a piece of rallying heritage.

Racing Pedigree & Provenance

First registered to Humber Ltd on July 1, 1964, ‘AHP 294B’ made its international debut at the 1964 Geneva Rally, driven by ‘Tiny’ Lewis and Barry Hughes. Winning the GT Class and finishing 11th overall, it quickly established its competitive credentials. It later served as a reconnaissance vehicle for the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally before being piloted by Maurice Gatsonides and Albert Ilken in the event itself in 1966, Though forced to retire due to extreme weather conditions, the Tiger’s potential was undeniable.
That same year, Gatsonides used ‘AHP’ to set Dutch National Endurance records at Zandvoort, achieving new benchmarks for three, six, 12, and 24 hours—the latter at an average speed of 75. 47 mph. The Tiger continued its campaign in the 1965 Tulip Rally, and later the Alpine Rally, before undergoing a factory rebuild to meet the latest international rallying regulations.
In 1966, ‘AHP’ competed in the Monte Carlo Rally, driven by Peter Harper and Robin Turvey, posting impressive times before retiring on Stage 5. It then served as a reconnaissance car for the Tulip Rally before being sold to Belgian racing driver Chris Tuerlinckx, who formed Sunbeam Tiger Racing with ex-Rootes engineer Vic Heylen.
Under Tuerlinckx’s ownership, ‘AHP’ claimed outright victory in the 1966 Tour de Belgique, marking only the second international rally win for a Tiger. The car then transitioned into endurance racing, competing in the Spa Francorchamps 1, 000km and securing a GT Class win in the following year’s race, finishing 13th overall against competition from big cannons a as Ferrari, Porsche, Lola, and Mirage!

After further success in Belgian and Dutch events, the Tiger was sold to Hugh Chamberlain in the UK in the early 1970s. It remained largely unused until 1988 when it was acquired by Ted Worswick, a renowned ‘Big Healey’ specialist, and later restored by Jeff Goodliffe’s GRV of Littleborough. In 1991, the car passed to Rootes rally car expert David Duncanson, who returned it to its correct 1966 specification. Ex-rally star Rosemary Smith later campaigned ‘AHP’ in historic events, securing multiple Coupe des Dames category wins.

Restoration & Recent Success

Acquired by the previous owner in May 2014, the car underwent a comprehensive, no-expense-spared restoration by Hardy Hall Restorations of Thornbury, Herefordshire. The engine was rebuilt by Knight Racing Services of Daventry, with restoration costs exceeding £100, 000 (~€113, 000). The result is a rally-ready Sunbeam Tiger producing 213bhp at the flywheel, as confirmed by dynamometer test sheets.

Since its restoration, ‘AHP’ has continued to prove its mettle. It won its class in the 2015 Tour Britannia and successfully competed in the 2016 Monte Carlo Historique. In 2018, it led the Bromyard Motor Club’s Road trip to the Spa Classic, returning to the legendary circuit 51 years after its last race there.

Under its new Belgian caretaker, the car participated in the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed rally stage, it came in 2nd at the Modena Cento Ore 2023 Regularity and later competed successfully in the Monte Carlo Historique Rally for three consecutive years—2023, 2024, and 2025. In the 2023 and 2025 editions, it achieved an impressive 8th overall placement out of over 250 competitors. Remarkably, the car has never broken down or experienced any issues. It is an absolute pleasure to drive, with power that remains impressive even by today’s standards

The Tiger was featured in a lot of articles and the February 2024 edition of Classic & Sports Car magazine, It is also on the cover of Graham Roods book ‘The Works Tigers’.

Documentation & Included Extras

This Sunbeam Tiger comes with an extensive history file, including:
• Original buff logbook
• Period photographs and press clippings
• Rally results sheets
• Expired MoTs
• FIVA Identity Card
• UK V5C Registration Certificate
• Sunbeam Tiger Owners' Association Certificate of Authenticity

FIA HTP til 2030.

Ready for its new caretaker!
Contact us for more informationBuilt by Rootes’ Competition Department

» One of only five surviving works Sunbeam Tiger rally cars
» Known competition and ownership history
» Professionally restored to correct specification in 2015
» Substantial history file
» Original UK registration number plate from the factory