Vehicle Description
1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mark 1 For Sale - Fully Restored Texas Car LAT
Optioned When the small British sports car called the AC Ace was
outfitted with American V8 power and called the Shelby Cobra, many
people were watching, employees of the Rootes Group, another
British car manufacturer included. Inspired by the outcome of the
Cobra, they took one of their Series III Alpine roadsters,
originally powered by a 1.7L 4-cylinder engine, and sent it right
to the source, Carroll Shelby, to see if something similar could be
developed. Shelby and another California based racer named Ken
Miles set about fitting a small V8 into the little Alpine, in both
cases the new, lightweight Ford motor was chosen and successfully
put together. Both cars were then sent back to Britain for testing.
The Shelby design, with its engine set far back for good balance
was chosen and the Sunbeam Tiger was set to be produced by Jensen
Motors Ltd. based out of Staffordshire England. This 1965 Sunbeam
Tiger Mk I was found with only 27,320 miles on the odometer in
incredibly well-preserved condition after being in storage for over
37 years by its second owner in Texas. To bring this Mark I Tiger
back to its former glory, a no-expense-spared rotisserie
restoration was commissioned. With the paint stripped, a very
original body was revealed. It was then epoxy-primed and
block-sanded to ensure the body was laser straight. The Tiger was
then refinished in its original shade of Arctic White. According to
marque historian Norman Miller, this Tiger is one of only 18 known
to exist in this factory color combination of Artic White over red.
During the restoration the Ford 260 cu. in. V-8 engine,
transmission, and rear end were refurbished. Since the restoration
was completed, this Tiger has covered less than 600 "shake-down"
miles, with the odometer now displaying 27,881 miles. The
undercarriage is also fully restored and meticulously detailed. The
car is accompanied by a tool roll, spare, jack, and restoration
pictures in a hardcover book documenting the process. As with other
sports cars of the era, aftermarket speed parts were a popular
addition to Sunbeam Tigers, specifically those produced by Los
Angeles Tiger (LAT). This Mk 1 Tiger was equipped in period with a
number of LAT options which it retains today, including a
performance intake (LAT 1), cast alloy wheels (LAT 9), and a
limited-slip differential with 3.54 rear gear ratio (LAT 50 and
53). Boasting only three owners from new, equipped with desirable
LAT options, and the beneficiary of a high-quality restoration in
stunning and desirable colors, this Sunbeam Tiger Mk 1 would be a
wonderful entrant to any concours d'elegance or vintage rally.
Additional Details: 1965 SUNBEAM TIGER MARK 1 - 29034,
1965-sunbeam-tiger-mark-1,
