1965 Sunbeam Tiger

Registration No: BNH 612C
Chassis No: B9472757HR0FE
MOT: Exempt

• Described by the vendor as being in superb condition
• Finished in tasteful Dark Blue bodywork over matching Blue leather interior
• Self-evidently the subject of much past restoration work with uprated cooling and safety features

The Sunbeam Tiger was conceived on the West Coast of the USA and inspired by the success of the AC Cobra – the result of mating an American small block V8 engine with the British AC Ace. Rootes American Motors Inc. saw the potential for inserting the same powerplant – Ford's 4.2-litre (260 cu. in.) Windsor unit – into the nose of the stylish but rather pedestrian Sunbeam Alpine. Carroll Shelby was duly commissioned to build the prototype and the rest is history. The basic layout of the Alpine was retained and the car featured independent suspension at the front using coil springs, and a 'live' axle at the rear supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. The 164bhp engine endowed the newcomer with a top speed of around 120mph and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under eight seconds. A total of some 7,085 Tigers was eventually produced.

In single ownership since 1990, and described by the vendor as being in superb condition, this Tiger was well known to the Tiger Owner's Club when it was in the hands of the former keeper. Finished in tasteful dark blue over a matching blue leather interior, it has been the subject of much past restoration work with uprated cooling and safety features. The engine has been upgraded from the original 260 MK1 4.2-litre to a MK2 289 4.7-litre V8 unit. This had been overhauled and had only covered some 4,500 miles at the time of purchase. Subject to a comprehensive restoration in the mid-1980s with extensive documentation and paperwork still available, in the current ownership further maintenance and upgrade work has been carried out including conversion to run on unleaded fuel, overhauled crank, bores, pistons, camshaft, oil pump, carburettor, fuel pump etc, gearbox overhaul, clutch replaced, updated radiator, swirl pot, Kenlowe fan and bonnet scoop (original bonnet available), stainless exhaust, ventilated brakes with 4 pot calipers and electronic ignition and electric-assisted steering kit, again with detailed records kept. A simple roll hoop is installed which is a reassuring safety feature that fits perfectly inside the soft-top. The original tonneau cover is included.

The bodywork was restored again in 2010 (mileage 62,419) and again painted in midnight blue. It is currently stored in a dehumidified garage and displays 63,241 miles, attesting to sparing use since the restoration. A desirable example supplied with owner's handbook and assorted books and manuals of the period.

For more information, please contact:
Angus Fender
angus.fender@handh.co.uk
07943584762