Our 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350 is an automotive icon. It's a Ford V8-powered coupe that Carroll Shelby developed. However, there is at least one other classic that fits that description: the Sunbeam Tiger.
How do they compare and, perhaps more importantly, which one would we rather have in our garage? We're glad you asked:
Found the comments interesting but really was bothered by both of them not wearing seat belts (although is the Tiger's a lap belt only which I would not be able to see?).
That wrecked my creditability of those two guys. Real drivers who drive competively would be belted.
EricB said:Found the comments interesting but really was bothered by both of them not wearing seat belts (although is the Tiger's a lap belt only which I would not be able to see?).
That wrecked my creditability of those two guys. Real drivers who drive competively would be belted.
Not that my credibility was anything to be proud of to begin with, but we were both definitely wearing whatever seatbelt each car offered in all moving shots. In both cases that meant lap belts only, though. The Shelby's roof mounted belts are difficult to adjust for multiple drivers and, to be honest, don't do a lot anyway.
Now, the real question is can older cars be suitably upgraded in regards to safety. Can functional three-point belts be fitted to a Mustang? Probably. A Tiger? Trickier, but maybe? That's actually an editorial angle I wouldn't mind exploring in the future.
Tigers have threaded fittings on the inner rear wheel arches for shoulder belts, covered by the upholstery material . You can see the other side of them in the rear wheel wells.
Owning a GT 350 for 43 years and having owned a Tiger, I truly enjoyed this comparison. The comment of how to choose between them was a good one; auto cross go for the Tiger, track day the Shelby. Because I drive my cars all the time the Shelby would be my choice because of the weather. A convertable is no fun when you get caught in the rain. Love the comparisons, I want to see more.
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