1965 Other Makes Sunbeam Tiger

MK1

Ford 302

Borg Warner T4

B9471929LRXFE

Clear

Up for auction is my dream car. I earned the money, and right, to buy this car in 2000, at the age of 32. It was a proud moment for me. Alas, I must part with the Tiger. I only do so because I am leaving the country and will not take the Tiger with me. I am sailing to Europe, moving myself. Obviously there's no room on a sailboat for a Sunbeam Tiger. And so, this Tiger and all of its history now goes to the auction block, giving you a chance at a rare piece of history, and one rich in personal history at that. Please read through the entire auction, as there are important details about the car, its history, its value, and more spread throughout the text below. If nothing else, enjoy. But if you have the money, have a massive pair of brass you-know-whats, and enjoy tinkering - you'll probably be putting in a bid. This is a genuine, validated, 1965 Rootes Group Sunbeam Tiger. It was validated as genuine by Smitty's Sunbeam in San Diego, California (and Norm Miller apparently). This car was never entered in the official Tiger Registry, making it one of the undiscovered Tigers. This is a genuine original Sunbeam Tiger, not a cheap knock-off or conversion (as was used in the recent "Get Smart" movie - they had to make a fake because they are so hard to find, so rare, and so valuable.) The history of the Sunbeam Tiger is well known. A simple search will yield excellent results. I recommend California Association of Tigers and Wikipedia for sources of information. If you are not familiar with the Sunbeam Tiger, you have been missing out. This is not a 4 cylinder cute little sports car. When this pulls up to the light next to you, you see a cute car rolling up in your mirror, but the rumble of the Ford 302 V8 soon makes it clear that this isn't cute. And when the light changes and the Tiger takes off with twin trails of rubber across the intersection, you will know you just saw a rare Sunbeam Tiger, a classic British roadster with classic American muscle powering it. Sunbeam Tigers are unique in that they are less valuable in stock condition. This is because the Rootes Group did not make them well to be honest. The front crossmember tended to break (as it did on this one before I owned it.) These crossmembers are routinely gusseted for improved strength and safety, as this one's was. Cooling is another issue. Tigers come stock with heavy, inefficient radiators. This Tiger has a new, much lighter aluminum radiator, and includes the fan shroud. This configuration is better, but not ideal if you plan to drive this Tiger in stop-and-go traffic. I had planned to install the modified crossmember, or an electric fan for supplemental cooling. The suspension was recently gone through. New Edelbrock shocks were installed in 2009 (custom designed for the Tiger by Edelbrock, a fan, and CAT member.) New springs were also installed. Brakes were rebuilt and fluid replaced with new DOT4, though one rear slave cylinder may still leaks (can't remember, have C.R.S., and I haven't driven it for over a year.) The engine is a 302, rather than the stock 260. This engine seems to have a mild cam in it, and does have headers and a 4 barrel Holley (650CFM?) carburetor. The engine was gone through, the crankshaft replaced and bottom end gone through, replacing pistons and piston rods as needed. Top end was tested and ensured in good working order (this thing is fast, chirps tires in all gears.) In short, this hot rod was hot-rodded even more. It's quite fast as a result. This car also has an interesting history. I purchased it from my good friend and mentor, Craig Angel, who among many "old farts" helped establish autocrossing in America and essentially was the SCCA Solo II program in the Los Angeles area for many years. Craig passed away in 2009, his wife following him last year. Craig was a dear friend, and all around great guy - donating much of his time and money to autocrossing, motorsports, and especially the Braille Rallye in Los Angeles, where the Tiger was, until I purchased it, the featured vehicle for many, many years. Craig also helped create and for several decades helped run the Lone Pine Time Trials, which is the world's fasted Solo II event (we've clocked vehicles at 130mph on one of the two 1/8th mile straights on the course at Manzanita Air Base, a defunct WWII training airfield). I purchased the Tiger from Craig after having decided I wanted it several years prior when riding with Craig in it. I recall the wheels chirping at 65 when he downshifted to third to pass someone on the freeway. Several years later, after I cashed in my company stock options, I purchased the Tiger from Craig. Craig had decided to sell the Tiger to me, despite several dozen people, including friends as well as family, who were scrambling to get their hands on it. I remember buying the Tiger and driving it for the first time (like you, I didn't get to test drive it before I bought it - I didn't need to, I knew what it was and that I wanted it!) Craig told me he purchased the Tiger from a storage auction, though I do not know the year for sure, though I did find paperwork dating back to 1979 which seems to be the purchase date. The Tiger apparently suffered body damage, front and rear. The right front was slightly damaged during towing when a truck tire struck the front. This revealed that the fender, passenger front, was covered in-part with Bondo. The rear framework shows signs of damage repair, and the trunk bottom is plywood rather than sheet metal. I was also told by Smitty (Norm Miller pointed it out apparently) that the Boot Lid is the wrong year (1966) and that the bodywork around the Boot was done improperly to "fit" the bootlid from a 1966. These can be repaired quite easily however; I merely haven't have money or physical ability to complete the work due to disability occurring before I could complete the rehabilitation. Sheet metal is still availalble for Tigers. Please feel free to research availability. The engine/engine bay are complete save for minor touchups and detailing. The interior and body still need to be rehabilitated. I have new carpet, and cloth for replacing the soft top which was damaged (which can't be used with the roll bar installed anyway). Included in the sale will be a repair manual, and dozens of volumes of the California Association of Tiger Owners newsletters from about 1980 to 1985 primarily. There are also catalogs and other documentation. These will be catalogued and the results added as a note to this auction. Photographs of the documentation will also be added, or otherwise can be found via the link to photographs which will be provided upon request. A video showing the Tiger running will also be included in the link of full resolution photos. The car runs and drives, so you don't have to wait to get it running to enjoy it. Drive it while you are restoring it. The car is quite fast, capable of "burning rubber" for quite some distance. I am a performance driver, with many years (and trophies) experience in autocrossing. This car is a handful, with far more power than most can handle. This car is not for the meek or timid. It is a true muscle car. The Tiger has been garaged for as long as I have known of its existence, and I believe it has been garaged since it was placed in the storage unit that Craig purchased it from. It was originally purchased and owned for its life, so far as I know, in sunny, dry Southern California and is thus free of rust. From the newsletters, I can see the Craig lived in the same location for likely all of his time owning the Tiger, and I know that Tiger had its own place in the Garage (next to the racing 1965 Mustang). The car also includes one extra rim of each size (rear wheels are wider). The tires should be replaced before the car is driven. The battery seems okay after topping off with distilled water. The fuel pump is electric and works fine. The choke isn't hooked up which makes the car hard to start on winter days (Craig lived in Los Angeles, they don't have winter days). That's all I can think of. If you have any questions, please forward them. Also, I noticed when loading it to move that the ball joints are worn, I presume this means all need replacement. Might be wise to do before driving it for any length of time or distance. The Tiger is currently located in Redding, California. Delivery is possible, but only after paid in full including delivery fees. Delivery is possible, but NOT guaranteed. Documentation: California Association of Tiger Owners Newsletter: Volume 11 No. 9 Sept/Oct Volume 10 No. 9 October Volume 10 No. 8 September (featuring photo of 1964 Lister Tiger!!!) Volume 11 No. 2 February Volume 11 No. 8 August Volume 10? No. 6 June/July Volume 11 No. 4 April Volume 11 No. 3 March Volume 10 No. 11 December Volume 10 No. 10 November Volume 10 No. 7 August Volume 10 No. 5 May 1980 Volume 12 no. 1 January 1982 including photo of "LeMans Alpine" Volume 14 No. 4 April 1984 Volume 14 No. 5 May 1984 Volume 14 No. 6 June 1984 Volume 14 No. 7 July 1984 Volume 14 No. 3 March 1984 - featuring pullout ad for 1984 Gumball Rally!!! Volume 14 No. 8 August 1984 - Includes photo of Harrington Tiger Volume 14 No. 10 October 1984 volume 14 No. 12 December 1984 Volume 15 No. 8 August 1985 including photo of LeMans Tiger, also lists this Tiger as 8th in Concourse - modified w/ 60.3 points Volume 15 No. 9 September 1985 Volume 15 No. 10 October 1985 Volume 15 No. 11 November 1985 Volume 15 no. 12 December 1985 Volume 14 No. 11 November 1984 These issues of the newsletter often include technical tips and hints, how to make repairs and modifications. They are quite valuable in that regard. They also contain photographs of many, many Tigers. A scanned copy of these newsletters can surely garner some income for you. Tale of the Tiger - the official Sunbeam sales brochure which details the history of the Tiger and ends with "You will be proud to own a Tiger, 'The World's Fastest Sports Car at $3499'" and includes the original specifications. This is an ORIGINAL sales brochure, not a reproduction. Two issues of "Sunbeam Spares" and a few newsletters and supplements Issue of "Larry's Mustang Parts 1980 SCCSCC Slalom Code Hand-written notes by Craig Angel (previous owner) detailing transmission repair and clutch replacement (with colorful commentary!) Repair Manual If you would like to see the car, special arrangements must be made as the car is stored in Redding, California in an enclosed unit under lock and key and security cameras. Additional photographs, especially showing details of body damage, as well as a video of the Tiger running are available via a private link. Please contact me through this auction to get a link to those images and video. Bidders not viewing these photographs may be disqualified from bidding, so please ask for the link if you are going to bid. For international bidders/buyers: You must make payment within 5 days unless other arrangements have been agreed upon. It is highly recommended that you hire a broker or find an agent to handle the transaction. You can either have the vehicle picked up and payment given to me at that time, or pick up the keys to the storage unit containing the entire lot - though I recommend moving the car to a different unit and changing the lock after I leave to ensure complete security for storing the car until it can be retrieved. Buyer must make arrangements to pickup vehicle. I may be available for delivery, but I do not guarantee that I will. Also, a trailer, which I moved the car to Redding from Spokane with, is available and can be included if reserve price is met, or otherwise I would like $400 for it, as that is about what I have into it not including my labor. I reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time as the vehicle is advertised for sale elsewhere. Also, important note: If the reserve is not met, I may go ahead and let it go to the highest bidder. Don't assume you can wait for me to relist. I very well likely will not. I'm keeping a reserve in order to keep the option to relist if I don't make my reserve price.