1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk 1

• First registered on 25th Feb 1965 to Humber Ltd.(owner of Rootes)
• With our vendor since 2015 since when it has been through a comprehensive ,ground-up rebuild by Miles Classics Huddersfield, Alpha Auto Concepts, and John Sleath Racing Doncaster. Invoices within the file total over £88,000
• Fully recommissioned in 2018-2019 and since then has covered fewer than 500 miles.
• The engine has been fully rebuilt as a fast-road spec by JSR Doncaster and dyno tested at 282.9bhp. 
• Full Tan period leather, Black contrast stitched interior, tonneau cover in Black contrast Tan stitched. 
• Superbly finished in Cherry Black with a lined factory hardtop and sitting on a set of period Halibrands
• Supplied with its Green Log Book with history up to 1973, a full photographic history of the rebuild, engine spec, receipts/bills etc, lots of history, workshop manuals  - original copies, spare parts etc.

There are Sunbeam Tigers, there are nicely restored Sunbeam Tigers and there is EHP 171C.

This Sunbeam Tiger Mk1 was first registered on the 25th February 1965 to Humber Ltd. the parent company, 60% owned by the Rootes Brothers at the time. It’s believed by our vendor that the car was retained by the factory for some development work but that hasn’t been established. Whatever its early history, the Tiger has more recent Manx Rally and Sprint history and lived on the Isle of Man for some time in the late 70s to late 80s registered as 644 SPB. We understand that it was fitted with an engine built by Steve Burns to ‘Sprint’ spec (Steve was Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club Competitions Secretary at the time). It was subsequently sold to Peter Marshall who returned it to EHP 171C during his ownership.

The current chapter of this Tiger’s tale began in 2015 when it was purchased by our vendor since when it has been through a comprehensive, ground-up, ‘rotisserie’ restoration by Miles Classics Huddersfield, Alpha Auto Concepts, and John Sleath Racing Doncaster. The cars History File can be inspected at our ‘Documents Desk’ and within the file are restoration invoices to the value of over £88,000 alongside a splendid collection of images displaying exactly where it went.

The engine was been fully rebuilt as a fast-road spec by JSR Doncaster and dyno tested at 282.9bhp. New fast-road clutch, headers, hp radiator and header tank, larger fan, MSG electronic ignition and Holley 600cfm carb/air filter – all new. 'Powered by Ford' painted rocker-covers, Kenlowe twin electric fans and silicone hosing throughout. It also has a shatter proof bell-housing fitted and Lockheed servo-assisted brakes.

There is evidence of the car’s race history with a solid firewall in the boot rather than the curtain as standard and the original battery cut-off has been retained and re-located in the boot. The gearbox tunnel is also modified to receive the ‘top loader’ Hurst Super Sifter with reverse lock-out, again still fitted to the car.

The Tiger’s interior is really special as can be gleaned from the relevant invoice; “Retrim Tiger interior in Saddle Tan Bentley leather, including seats, doors, dash and various panels. Make new stereo housing console and speaker footwell panels. Fit sound deadening and install new carpets and underlay throughout. Full boot interior retrim including panels, battery cover and wheel cover. Fit mohair hood to frame and fit fixing to car body. Trim hardtop headlining and make hood bag. Total invoice price: £9,900.”

The same attention has been paid to the Sunbeam’s exterior and it now looks fabulous in a deep Cherry Black with a matching hardtop and sitting on a set of period Halibrands.

The car is STOC registered and has been featured in the Tiger Times, Rallye Sport, and many Classic magazines. It’s accompanied by the original Green Logbook showing its ownership up to 1973, a full photographic history of the rebuild, receipts/bills etc, tons of history, workshop manuals, original copies, spare parts and more. A full engine spec is available on request.

Our vendor has invested more than £110,000 in this remarkable motor car which makes the current guide seem very sensible. We welcome and encourage any inspection of this top Tiger.