Descrizione
This 1965 Sunbeam Tiger is one of the very best, long term ownership, nearly 30 years; 18 months just spent finessing and driving this car after a long period of storage, to the tune of £12, 500. It's ready to enjoy. Reason of selling is my father and I want to an E Type and we have run out of storage space. The sensible thing to do is rationalise the car collection we have. Oh – but you drive it and you want to keep it!
Please only enquire if you want the very best. You won't be dissapointed.
This Sunbeam Tiger is one of the best in the UK, having undergone extensive improvements and upgrades during its long-term ownership since 1995. The car has received love, care, and attention during this time and has benefited from a thorough recent recommission after a period of careful storage. No shortcuts were taken during the restoration upgrades, and only high-quality components were used; careful set-up ride handling compromise, making it a joy to drive fluidly on snaking county on B roads.
The body of the car has received a thorough restoration with fresh and flawless paintwork. The bright work, including chrome features, has been refurbished and re-chromed, ensuring they retain their original appearance rather than being replaced with new parts. The car is never driven in the rain or winter and is carefully wax protected especially in the multilevel vulnerable body sills and is always garaged with a breathable cover.
This Sunbeam Tiger comes with a rare, original factory hardtop, a brand new soft top, and a tonneau cover, which is water-tight and considered one of the best designs of the 1960s. The dark veneered dashboard is impressive and has a lovely quality depth to it (Alan Wood a renowned carpenter); standard ones were manufactured to a price; it sits beautifully with the slightly sinister, racing green, black interior and black diamond cut (real) Minilites.
Steve Burns Engine
260ci 4. 2 litre 250+bhp.' rally endurance specification.'
This Sunbeam Tiger boasts an upgraded 260ci engine that has been developed for strong torque and high performance, with 250BHP. The engine rebuild was expertly carried out by Steve Burns, a well-regarded engineer, Tiger and small block Ford engine specialist. Top-notch components were used, such as forged pistons, special connecting rods, and bigger valves, heavy-duty oil pump, giving a strong 75PSI oil pressure at idle. The engine's rotating mass was meticulously balanced during the build process. The engine has been developed to meet the hard demands of competitive rally endurance, so it is reassuringly over-engineered for the road. The engine is strong and refined even at high revs when standard engines run out of breath and become coarse. It's a big step up from the standard, most basic pickup truck Ford engine with 160bhp, when new. 250BHP in a car near the same weight as a MAZDA MX5; it's a quick car by modern standards, not far off an E46 M3 pace. It is quite satisfying to say it still retains its correct 260Ci in a world of 289/ 302 transplants.
The gearbox of this Sunbeam Tiger has been rebuilt, with new synchromesh cones and operates purposefully with precision due to the re-engineered gear change levers. The Salisbury limited slip (LSD) differential has also been rebuilt with a new crown wheel and pinion at the original factory for improved traction and handling. The locking LSD is not too aggressive a set-up, so it does not create a 'push on' understeer problem.
The cooling system of this Sunbeam Tiger has been upgraded to cope with the improved performance and enhance the cars reliability. The original set-up, which was known for its marginal cooling with its mechanical fan and small radiator, has been replaced with electric fans and a high-efficiency modern aluminium radiator. These improvements ensure optimal cooling, even under enthusiastic driving conditions, and better fuel consumption.
This Sunbeam Tiger is not only a great investment due to its period-correct upgrades and improvements, but it also offers handling and performance that is unmatched; even compared to the iconic E-Type on winding roads, they have become highly regarded in historic motorsport for their giant slaying ability. The combination of its small size and powerful Ford V8 engine makes it a joy to drive. Whether you prefer a spirited drive or a rumbling leisurely tour, this Tiger can do both, thanks to its torque-rich engine that requires minimal gear changes for comfortable and relaxed 'use the torque' driving, or you can stir up the beast a little. The V8 rumbling noise is very intoxicating, even at slow idle. This Sunbeam Tiger was a dry "barn find" and was restored in the early 1990s, by a Committee Member of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club. It was purchased by my father in 1995 and was improved even further. The car was kept in careful storage for 18 years, rolled out, started, warmed, cleaned, and then put back in storage as other cars and interests took priority in the collection. A significant amount of recommissioning and improvement to make a good Tiger into one of the very best Tigers.
During the recent work on the car, the dashboard was removed to make improvements to the wiring loom, and traces of the original blue factory paint was discovered. This information is backed up by reference to the "Book of Norman", which is a known source of information on these cars' factory specifications, the car was originally blue.
The suspension in this Sunbeam Tiger has been meticulously rebuilt with great attention to detail, taking into account the imprecisions of the 1960s manufacturing process through accurate measurement and road testing. As a result, it handles beautifully with no bump steer, tram-lining, knocks or bangs, making it a joy to drive.
This Sunbeam Tiger has been rebuilt with the goal of creating a car that can be driven with confidence on long trips, such as a journey from the UK to the South of Spain and back.
This Sunbeam Tiger is equipped with custom-made genuine Minilite alloys, which are a period-correct upgrade. The alloys are expertly fitted to the wheel arches, creating a more aggressive and visually striking appearance with a wider stance in the rear. The diamond-cut finish of the wheels enhances the car's overall look, and the new tyres provide improved grip and handling. The use of magnesium alloys also reduces unsprung weight, further enhancing the car's handling and ride.
Engine
"Rally Endurance Specification" (Steve Burns)
250+ BHP
Balanced
Forged pistons
Uprated crank
Connecting Rods
Big valve set-up
Gas flowed
Uprated oil pump (75PSI)
Holly 4 barrel. Carburettor
Electronic Lumenition ignition fitted
Gearbox
Rebuilt
Bearings
Internals
Synchromesh cones
Gear Selecting levers refurbished/ renewed for more precise gear changes
Drive train
Balanced prop shaft
Rebuilt Salisbury Axle with new crown wheel and pinion
Limited slip differential overhaul to as new specification (careful locking set-up)
Wheels
Custom made Minilites.
New Tyres
Front Suspension
New adjustable Gas Spax shock absorbers
New wheel bearings
Steering track rod ends
Top and bottom link bushes
New brake hoses
Disks
Pads
Reconditioned Brake Callipers
Rear Suspension
New leaf springs
Koni Shock Absorbers
New brake cylinders
Reconditioned brake drums
New brake Master cylinder and slave cylinder
New Clutch Master cylinder and slave cylinder
Brake servo
Stainless steel exhaust system
New Brake lines
New Fuel lines, hoses and clamps
New Fuel Pump
Fuel tanks totally refurbished inside and out
Fuel pressure regulator fitted.
Cooling
A new high-flow aluminium radiator with Electric fans.
New fuse box
New regulator
Distributor
Coil
Restored dashboard
New carpets
Seats refurbished
Freshly serviced and current MOT, no faults. Turn the key and enjoy the summer.
I would recommend viewing this car.
Happy to have a chat on the phone. the details below.
