1966 Sunbeam Tiger

• According to the S.T.O.C. Register of Sunbeam Tigers this car was produced for the UK market in 1965 and registered on the 04/01/1966
• A copy Bill of Sale on file states that the Tiger was sold by the first owner to the 02/04/1976 for £570.00!
• Bought by our vendor in 2016, its third owner, as a project, the no- expense-spared restoration took five years
• The original matching numbers engine has been retained together with a number of original parts
• The 302ci (5-litre) V8 is fitted with Federal Mogul Sealed Power pistons, Comp Cams high-performance street cam and valve springs and lifters
• Limited slip differential by Competition Transmission Services and a McLeod high- performance clutch assembly
• The list of works is extensive, the finish exemplary (the re-spray cost £12,000) and the car is to feature in an upcoming edition of Practical Classics Magazine
• Very rarely does a car of this age come to market with known history from new and in a condition that sets the standard for restored Sunbeam Tigers

Instantly recognisable but somewhat overshadowed by Jaguar’s E-Type, the West Coast Sales Manager of Rootes American Motors Inc., Ian Garrad, realised that the Sunbeam Alpine's image was that of a touring car rather than a sports car and he set about changing its image using the Shelby Cobra as a guide. Sunbeam asked Carroll Shelby to produce one functional prototype and this was fabricated by Shelby employee George Boskoff and sent to England for evaluation. The Tiger was born. After carrying out doing extensive engineering studies, the Rootes Group sub-contracted development and production to Jensen, located in West Bromwich and eventually, production of the Tiger totalled 7,085 cars.

According to the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club Register, this delightful example was manufactured for the UK market in right-hand drive in 1965 and registered to the first owner on the 4th January 1966. The detailed history file includes a copy Bill of Sale dated 10th April 1976 that confirms the sale of ‘EFY 129D’ to a Mr J.P. Bush of Oxfordshire for the princely sum of £570.00. An accompanying MOT test certificate states the mileage on June 10th 1977 as 82,412 miles. Mr Bush was to keep the car until 19th February 2016 when it was purchased by our newly retired vendor as a project. The car had been off the road in dry storage for some decades due, no doubt, to the original matching-numbers engine having seized. The Tiger is now fully returned to its former glory and, pleasingly, retains this original engine together with many other original parts.

Our vendor has provided the following information on the mechanical restoration and upgrades:

Engine

• 302ci block bored to .030” oversize. 302 crankshaft re-ground to plus .020”. ‘Federal Mogul Sealed Power’ pistons with Moly slip rings. ‘Comp Cams’ High-performance street cam. ‘Comp Cams’ valve springs & lifters. 289 high-compression heads polished & ported with new hardened valve seats and guides. Edelbrock Performer manifold with 600cfm. Holley 4-barrel carburettor. High Performance 4 into 1 exhaust Headers. Stainless 2 ¼” exhaust system. AccuSpark electronic ignition and coil fitted. K & N air filter fitted. Hi-torque starter motor fitted and 65 amp alternator. Oil hoses replaced with Aeroquip. Original radiator fitted with modern 3-core matrix. Electric fan with thermostatic switch.

Transmission

• Limited-slip diff fitted by Competition Transmission Services. McLeod high-performance clutch assembly fitted. Silicon brake fluid in hydraulics. Reverse light switch fitted to gearbox.

Suspension

• Uprated rear springs fitted with extra top leaf to prevent axle-tramp. Poly-bushes fitted throughout.

Brakes

• Silicon brake fluid in system and uprated servo fitted.

Wheels & Tyres

• Minilite 7 x 15 rears & 6 x 15 fronts with 205/55 R15 rear tyres & 195/50 R15 fronts.

Electrics

• Modern fuse box with all circuits fused. Extras include hazards, rear fog and reversing lamps. Holley fuel pump fitted. Halogen headlamps with relay. All other bulbs LED including dash & warning lamps. Tachometer converted to work with electronic ignition. Electric washer pump.

Body

• Non-standard colour in Dark Shadow Grey metallic. Air scoop in bonnet. All underside coated with Schutz stone-chip and chassis box sections treated internally with Corrolan Active.

Original parts include its original numbers-matching 260 engine block, Crankshaft, Camshaft, Intake manifold, Carburettor, Exhaust headers, Dynamo, Dynamo bracket, Regulator, Sump, Bell housing, Flex-plate, Rear springs, Fuel pump & bracket, Number plate & bracket, Original steel wheels and Hub caps.

With the re-trimmed red leather interior perfectly complementing the dark grey coachwork this Tiger is among the finest we have seen. The history file is a delight to read and includes the aforementioned historical receipts and MOTs together with the most recent receipts. We very rarely see a three owner car from the 1960s and the quality of the restoration and mechanical upgrades is a testament to our vendor.