Comprehensive older restoration in excellent condition with less than 3,000 miles since completion
Very useable, fully standard example of this fast-appreciating V8-engined British sports car rarity
Lusty 4.3litre Ford V8 generating 164bhp
VIN records confirm this is a genuine RHD Mk1 Tiger, built by Jensen Motors in West Bromwich
MOT exempt but has been fastidiously MOT’d annually since work completed in 2016
Bodywork and interior finished to a high standard
MOT and tax exempt
The Appeal
When Rootes decided it needed a more powerful version of the Alpine to give sales a much-needed shove it turned to a man who had done it all before: Carroll Shelby. Fresh from turning AC’s Ace into the road-burning Cobra, he quickly developed the Sunbeam Tiger. His formula was familiar: he dropped a 260cu in 4.3litre Ford V8 into the diminutive British sports car.
The results were exhilarating. The light engine didn’t compromise handling and with double the power of its Alpine siblings it was a proper match for Stateside rivals like the Corvette. Most Tigers inevitably went to America, but a few remained in the UK like this beautiful 1965 example.
VIN records confirm that this is a genuine ’65 RHD Tiger, finished in what appears to be Midnight Blue with complementary blue leather interior. It appears to have been comprehensively restored in 2015 and 2016 and re-registered with the DVLA in 2017. It has covered less than 3,000 miles since, helpfully documented by the run of subsequent MOTs.
The Tiger is one of those clever secrets of the classic car world. A rare sight here and often requiring explanation, it is nonetheless very competent and rewarding with an addictive V8 soundtrack and delivery. This Tiger has clearly been cared for, has a carefully documented history and looks ready to scare the wildlife this summer. front.jpg1.41 MB
The History And Paperwork
DVLA records confirm that this car was originally road registered in 1965
DVLA registered most recently on 13th April 2017
VIN records confirm that this is car 3,016 of 3,762 Mk1 models built between June 1964 and August 1965
VIN records also show that it was a Home Market Roadster (HR digits) in Standard Trim (S digit) fitted with the Ford Engine (FE digits)
Original Jensen factory records in the history file confirm this provenance
1 key
Comprehensive restoration during 2015 and 2016 when speedometer was zero’d and has covered less than 3,000 miles since
Retrimmed in 2015 in blue leather and in excellent condition
Beautiful wood veneer dashboard and dials in very good condition
Matching blue race harnesses fitted
Carpets in cabin and vinyl trim in boot in very good condition
Factory steel spare wheel in boot well
Chrome fittings complete and in very good condition
To deliver sales Rootes equipped the Tiger to a high standard, offering a distinctly wood and leather British hand-built feel to compete with the more mass-market offerings from over the pond. It is a lovely place to be, the stretch of wood veneer dotted with chrome-rimmed dials being very evocative of a certain time and place in British motoring history.
The interior of this car is in very good condition. The wood veneer appears to be original rather than replaced. It has a gentle patina of age but there is none of the delamination or cracking that you might expect from a car of this vintage.
The seats and door cards appear to have been retrimmed. There is an invoice for newly rimmed leather seats from 2015. The only deviation from standard are a pair of race harnesses. The driver’s door card has very light scuffs that would likely respond to careful cleaning.
The boot area is in similar condition. There is a non-matching painted steel wheel (the rest are Minilite alloys) and only a small scratch on the inside of the boot lid detracts.int.jpg1.22 MB
The Exterior
Mark 1 Tiger using the Mark IV Alpine body with rounded door and boot edges
Appears to be finished in Midnight Blue, which is correct for the age of the car
Original chrome work and badging in generally very good condition
Dark blue canvass convertible roof in good condition
Black zippable cabin tonneau cover
Practical Alpine body with good cabin space and decent sized boot
The VIN identifies this car as a 1965 Mk1 Tiger. These cars are bodily identical to the MkIV Alpine, most notably by the rounded door and boot edges, which this car has. It appears to be finished in Rootes’ Midnight Blue, which is period correct for this car.
All Tigers were assembled by Jensen Motors in West Bromwich due to capacity problems at Rootes’ own factories. The work is generally considered to have been to a high standard, thanks in part to it being overseen by ex-Rootes employee Kevin Beattie, who went on to engineer and develop the iconic Jensen Interceptor.
The car appears to have been comprehensively restored in 2015 and 2016 to a high standard, judging from the excellent paintwork finish. It has held up remarkably well, likely a consequence of the limited use since: it has covered only 2,950 miles in the intervening seven years. There are a few minor indications of wear, but the list is very short. There appears to be a small scuff on the rear valance below the boot lip and a light rub mark on the A post on the passenger side. This door also has a small chip on its edge. There are also light marks beside the badge on the offside rear wing.
The chrome work and model-specific badges appear to be original and are in very good condition, just a light patina of age adding character.
The car sits on quality Blockley tyres with good tread and 13inch Minilite alloy rims. These are in very good condition with no kerbing or marks.
164bhp Ford 260cu in 4.3litre V8 engine in standard tune
4spd manual Ford gearbox
Matching numbers for body, engine, gearbox and rear axle and possibly even the keys
The Ford engine dropped into the Tiger was small by American standards at 4.3litres but mammoth compared to the Alpine’s standard 1.7litre unit. It also doubled the power, providing 164bhp to the rear wheels via a Ford 4spd manual gearbox. This engine was capable of much greater power and few Tigers were left as standard in period, owners quickly finding ways to eke more performance from their cars.
This Tiger was one of the few to remain in the home market and appears to be completely standard, which is surely a big part of its appeal. After all, that burbling V8 soundtrack is surely entertainment enough.
It is a matching numbers car, a check of the body, engine, gearbox and rear axle numbers showing that they match factory records. It is also likely that the keys are original too – the records show a small discrepancy in numbering that could be due to poor record keeping, which was common at the time.
At the time of writing we were unable to view the car’s service history. However the photographs suggest that the engine received attention during the restoration and this may explain why the odometer was zero’d on completion of the work. It has covered less than 3,000 miles since.
The Tiger is MOT exempt but the two owners since 2017 have helpfully tested it each year and this enables the low mileage to be verified.
The Sunbeam Tiger is one of those brilliant British cars that slipped off most classic car fans’ radar for many years. Had it been badged as a MG or Triumph perhaps that it would have been a different story. Now the rare UK survivors are highly rated and sought after as enthusiasts discover the distinctive, capable and very practical charms of this unusual 60s classic.
This Mk1 Tiger has clearly been comprehensively restored and has covered few miles since. Consequently it is in very good condition and the MOT records indicate its solid and well cared for. This melodious, aptly named car looks ready to provide a hugely rewarding experience for any buyer.
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