I don't think of the Tiger as a failure at all!
In fact, to whatever degree it was less successful than hoped, it wasn't
because of the Tiger's failure but because of Rootes failure (and the
failure in general of the English Automotive Industry), changes in Federal
Transportation Safety Standards, and the changing tastes of the buying
public.
This is my whole point: Compared with other vehicles in its class and of
its pedigree, (MGs, Triumphs, big Healeys, Alfas, etc.,) the Tiger comes out
easily on top.
But the Tiger was never designed to be a Muscle Car. (Remember that when the
Tiger was released American Iron was entering the Golden Age of horsepower!)
Instead, it was a West Coast initiated response to the realization that
English sports cars in general and the incredibly anemic Alpine in
particular, were dangerously underpowered for long, straight, and wide
American roads.
I love the Tiger - especially now - because compared with its competition,
it's not only easier to work on and own, it's possible to drive it without
getting run over by 400 horsepower SUVs. But I think we need to understand
what the Tiger is and what it is not....No amount of revisionist history or
wishing it weren't so changes that. Wishing the Tiger were something it's
not only insults and diminishes what it is!!
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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-tigers@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-tigers@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Drmoonstone@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2005 5:36 PM
To: theo.smit@dynastream.com; itswonderful@comcast.net;
jxnichols@sbcglobal.net; tigers@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Tiger sucess?
On the same note, the top performing Tigers were raced in fewer races due to
the cost of transportation, time, financial and human resources. For a car
that saw limited competition it's record is one of success. The fact that it
won
the championship in 1999 only helps solidify the success of the Tiger. That
Chysler in their infinite wisdom did all it could to limit the Tigers
success
might also be factored into the concept of "success."
When all is said and done why do those that think of the Tiger as a failure
own them, not because of their escalating values or for financial gain. One
must define success and have all in the conversation agree that the
definition is
correct before the successful/failure label can be placed.
In my minds eye many of those on this list are failures as I am to them (no
insult intended). I enjoy my car and that's all that matters.
Thanks Theo, you always state things clearly enough that even the......(fill
in with word of your choice).........can understand.
Moonstone
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