1965 Sunbeam Tiger MkI
Extensively uprated with over £10,000 of expenditure in the last two years

Registration No: DUC 515C
Chassis No: B-9472259-H-ROFE
MOT: Exempt

• Fitted some years ago with the larger Ford 289ci (4737cc) V8 engine as fitted to MkII Tigers
• Subject to around £10,000 of recent mechanical expenditure which has included extensive uprating of the drivetrain and electrics
• An original UK delivered, right hand drive example complete with extensive history file and original green logbook
• First registered in 'Swinging 60s' London to a high end tailoring firm

The Sunbeam Tiger was conceived in the West Coast of the USA and inspired by the success of the AC Cobra - the result of inserting a small-block American V8 engine into the nose of the British AC Ace. Rootes American Motors Inc. saw the potential for performing a similar operation on the stylish four-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine. Preliminary research suggested that the engine used to produce the Cobra - Ford's 4.3-litre (260ci) 'Windsor' unit - would be the appropriate powerplant, and a prototype was commissioned from Carroll Shelby, the man behind the Cobra project, who would entrust famous GT40 racer Ken Miles with setting it all up. Unveiled at the April 1964 New York Motor Show, the resultant Tiger incorporated uprated steering, suspension and brake assemblies but retained the Alpine's basic layout and sheetmetal. With a quoted 164bhp/258lbft on tap, the newcomer was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in under eight seconds and 120mph. Later, the MkII Tiger was launched which would be fitted with the larger 4.7-litre (289ci) engine - which was sadly only available in Left Hand Drive format. Distinguishing itself on race tracks and rally stages alike, the model accounted for some 7,085 sales from 1964-1967.

Initially registered to high-end tailors Jones, Chalk and Dawson Ltd of 6 Jackwell Street, London on March 1^st 1965, chassis B-9472259-H-ROFE was transferred into the name of one of their directors, Ronald Clark, three years later. Changing hands several times during the 1970s, the Sunbeam was acquired by Ken Young of Byfleet, Surrey towards the decade’s end. The Tiger’s longest-term keeper (1978-2004), he oversaw two bodywork renovations in 1989 and 2002 (including a colour change from Mediterranean Blue to Guards Red). Sold on twice more before entering the current ownership in 2022, the two-seater accumulated numerous maintenance invoices over the years. Conscious that the original 260ci engine had been supplanted by a 289ci unit at some stage, the vendor decided to enhance the sportscar’s dynamics. To this end, he has overhauled the suspension and rear axle uprating them with a thicker front anti-roll bar and limited-slip differential respectively. He has also fettled the carburettor and cooling / ignition systems, not to mention uprating the rev counter and speedometer. Deeming the Sunbeam’s mechanical condition as good enough for him to ‘jump in and drive it anywhere’, the seller acknowledges that the bodywork and paintwork are ‘average to good’. A desirable ‘home market’ Tiger that has benefited from some £10,000 worth of expenditure over the last two years, ‘DUC 515C’ was still cut quite the dash on Carnaby Street!

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430