1965 Other Makes Sunbeam Tiger

Tiger Roadster

289

4spd

B9472378HROFE

Clear

As much Gas as you can give it!

What you are looking at is my pride and joy! I absolutely love this car, and everything it stands for. It is a top down Roadster with a v8 and Growl that won't even look away from the Cobra itself. This Sunbeam Tiger is 100% Legitimate, and holds the coveted STOA Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association TAC Certificate. Tiger Authentication Committee. I have attached a photo of the certificate as well. The Certification was just recently performed, and to my excitement, one of the quotes from the committee was " you can list this as a no excuses Tiger." Now that I have underlined the fact that what you are looking at is exactly what it is represented as, I am going to say the car is not perfect and still leaves room for the next owner to perfect, or personalize as necessary, though it is absolutely a GREAT car to enjoy as is, and show and shine to your hearts content! One of the questions that always comes up is why are you selling? First of all, I have two Tigers, one of which is at the paint shop, but I am in a situation where I need to buy the in-laws a house, and this is a means to an end. I have always told the wife that my cars were our savings,and luckily the Tiger has always been a great place to sock away some dough! This car has original matching numbers axle and trans, though the motor has been swapped out for a 289c.i. with 351 heads, Holley carb, Edelbrock intake, tubular headers, electronic ignition, etc. It runs great and sounds INCREDIBLE! I have driven this car many hundreds of miles straight with zero issues, and unlike many Tigers I have owned over the years, this car has no issues with heat. The body is in generally great condition. It has had some panel repair beneath (believed), though the Committee said it may have been done too good, as with English cars you would expect to see lots of rust, this has NONE! The car was dispatched to the US early on, which probably saved its life. The Vin is B9472378HROFE with a JAL of 562431 The original color was color code 86, though it is clearly no longer Green. The interior is beautiful, the top is beautiful, the 15"tires and wheels are almost new, the paint is very clean (not perfect) very clean. The car is equipped with all the hard to find RHD parts including the "unobtainium" water tube in one of the photos. Everything works to the best of my knowledge. It has traction bars, cigar lighter, Lucas period rearview mirror, etc etc etc. Ask Whatever questions you may have, and research the pictures. I have many more pictures as necessary, not to mention the car in my backyard/shop,so I can take whatever you like. I have included a lot of background info on the Tigers History for those that don't know much about them. P.Ss Though I like the stripes on the side, not everyone will, and the good news is they are vinyl, so they can be removed very easily. I also have several extra parts available depending on what the buyer would like in addition, such as a louvered hood, rollbar etc. Development The West Coast Sales Manager of Rootes American Motors Inc., Ian Garrad, realized that the Alpine's image was that of a grand tourer (GT) rather than a sports car, and he, along with Richard R. Hovis set about changing its image, using the recent success of the Shelby Cobra as a guide. He and Rootes' Western Service Manager Walter McKenzie measured up several V8 engines and determined that Ford's new 164 hp (122 kW) 260 cu in (4.3 L) Windsor V8 engine would fit nicely between the frame rails. Sunbeam asked Carroll Shelby to produce one functional prototype on a budget of $10,000. Shelby's prototype was designed by Richard R. Hovis, and fabricated by Shelby employee George Boskoff, and the result was judged to be good enough to send to England for production evaluation. Seeking reassurance everything would fit, a second Series 2 Alpine was handed to Ken Miles. A talented racer and fabricator in his own right, Miles had just been employed by Shelby American. Using his own shop facilities, he managed to install a 260 cu.in. V8 and two-speed automatic into the Alpine in less than a week, at a total cost of $600. Having served its feasibility study purpose, the Miles prototype was kept by Rootes Motors Inc. Los Angeles for some time until its sale to a private buyer. [edit] Production After doing extensive engineering studies Rootes Group subcontracted development and pre-production testing to Jensen, located in West Bromwich, England. Jensen went on to manufacture the Sunbeam Tiger. Production reached 7,085 cars over three distinct series (the factory only ever designated two, the Mark 1 and Mark 2; however, since the official Mark 1 production spanned the changeover in body style from the Series IV Alpine panels to the Series V panels, the later cars are generally designated Mark 1A by current Sunbeam Tiger enthusiasts). Mark 2 production totaled just 536 cars, and these Tigers, with the 200 hp (150 kW) 289 cu in (4.7 L) engine, are rare today. Both the Miles and the Shelby prototypes have survived, along with a number of other historically significant Tigers. [edit] Demise Production of the Tiger only lasted from 1964 until Chrysler purchased Rootes in June 1967. Chrysler could not be expected to sell a car with a Ford engine, but had no suitable replacement of its own: Chrysler's small-block V8 engines had the distributor positioned at the rear of the engine, unlike the front-mounted distributor of the Ford V8; their big-block V8 had a front-mounted distributor but was significantly larger. It was impossible to fit either into the Sunbeam engine bay without major and expensive revisions, thus the Tiger was cancelled. The Tiger was arguably more practical and commercially successful than the AC Cobra that inspired it, but its road and track performance was inferior. It did however increase the sporting cachet of the Sunbeam brand.[3] [edit] In popular media While Sunbeam's Alpine roadster gained notoriety in 1962's Dr. No as being the first "Bond car" in the James Bond film series driven by the hero, the 1964 Tiger Series I gained some exposure on American television as the car of choice for Maxwell Smart on Get Smart. The Tiger was used for the first two seasons, and featured iconically in the opening credits with Smart screeching to a halt outside his headquarters. It would also, at times, feature in the episodes themselves, sometimes with typical modifications expected to be on cars of contemporary secret agents. After the second season, the Tiger was replaced on the show with the VW Karmann Ghia, and later the Opel GT. The Tiger also featured in the 2008 film adaptation of Get Smart, along with the other two signature cars from the series. Earliest notations from the Jensen "ledgers" fix the beginning of Sunbeam Tiger production in June, of 1964. Referencing the chassis number logs, totals for the 1965 MK 1 model year ran to some 3,763 machines. We're told initially there was no plan to sell into the "home" market. But, by whatever process, RHD examples started appearing during the final third, of first-year output. Ongoing efforts to tally "HRO" count have reviewed the entire Tiger production record and returned somewhere close to 870 aspirants, most being MK 1s. In the "little known fact category", two additional groups of RHD cars need mentioning. The CKD operation sent 73, late 1965 MK 1 Tigers to South Africa and the EXPORT program (RRO) produced an extremely small clique of under twenty. Certification Procedure Scope: This document summarizes the basic elements of STOA administration necessary to support the Tiger Authentication Committee (hereafter referred to as TAC), and outlines the standard procedure required for the examination of vehicles offered for authentication. Qualification of Inspectors: Only those individuals that successfully complete the TAC training program shall be eligible for consideration as credentialed inspectors. Application for TAC training may be submitted in writing to the TAC Chairman. TAC staffing requirements shall be reviewed at least once annually, and determined and satisfied by an internal vote of TAC. New applicants will be accepted on the basis of these requirements. STOA and TAC reserve the right to accept or reject any individual for training or inspector status. TAC may elect certain candidates to the position of Senior Inspector. The basis for this election shall be the demonstrated technical knowledge and experience of these individuals, and their commitment to the long-term continuation of this unique program. Inspector Credentials: An identification card or Certificate of Qualification shall be assigned only to those individuals that pass both written and verbal examinations, demonstrating the ability of that inspector to recognize factory methodology and workmanship as opposed to methodology which may have been used to subsequently repair, alter, modify or otherwise change the basic structure and identity of the vehicle. The Certificate of Qualification is issued by TAC and signed by the STOA President. These cards shall be serialized and that serial number must be applied to all archival TAC documents signed by that inspector. Documentation: Release of Liability: This document is completed in duplicate and signed by every applicant for authentication, prior to any examination of the vehicle. It contains a brief synopsis of the authentication process, and provides a comprehensive statement of liability release for STOA and the TAC inspectors conducting the examination. Fact Sheet: This is the hardcopy archival document used to record all information related to the issuance of a Certificate of Authenticity. As soon as practical, this data shall also be transferred to STOA's Authentication Database. This electronic archive shall be maintained by the TAC Chairman, or a designated administrator. All completed documentation relating to the TAC program shall be held by the TAC Chairman indefinitely. All inquires for information related to this program shall be made (or referred) to the TAC Chairman for an official STOA/TAC response. Certificate of Authenticity: This document is an 8 1/2" X 11" transferable paper affidavit which describes an authenticated Tiger using VIN, JAL #, etc. It is issued by TAC to designate that a particular vehicle has been examined by a minimum of three qualified TAC inspectors, and they have separately and together agreed that the automobile being examined is certifiable as a Sunbeam Tiger (as produced on the Sunbeam/Jensen assembly lines). The document is signed by the three inspectors and is serialized to match the Authentication Label (described below). The document is embossed using the STOA Seal and presented to the applicant for the authenticated vehicle. Authentication Label: A printed label serialized to match the Certificate of Authenticity (described above), which is applied to an authenticated Tiger by a TAC inspector. The label is manufactured of a tamperproof material which either reveals the word "VOID" numerous times across the surface if it has been removed or transferred, or which can not be physically removed intact. The location for the label is the triangular area under the dashboard on the main structural box, between the windshield wiper motor and the right side panel structure. Procedure: The Release of Liability shall be signed, and a copy given to the to the applicant for the prospective vehicle. One of the TAC inspectors will provide a brief description of the authentication process, pointing out that unanimous agreement on the part of all three inspectors is required before authentication will be granted. Once the Release of Liability is signed, the authentication process may proceed. Three TAC inspectors (one of whom must be a Senior Inspector) shall examine the vehicle. The inspectors will be identified on the Fact Sheet. The inspectors shall examine as many elements of factory methodology as they feel are sufficient to reach a conclusion about the authenticity of the vehicle. If a Certificate of Authenticity cannot be awarded, the partially completed Fact Sheet may be returned to the applicant upon request. An inability to authenticate does not, by itself, imply that the vehicle is not a factory produced Tiger, since sufficient factory methodology may not exist to make a qualified determination. It is also important to make clear that the purpose of STOA's authentication service is to compile a list of factory produced Tigers, not to seek out those vehicles which cannot be authenticated. A generalized explanation of the reasons for not authenticating the vehicle will be given to the applicant by the Senior Inspector, but no specific technical details which would link that explanation to elements found on the vehicle shall be revealed. TAC inspectors may request any necessary preparations allowing unobstructed installation of the Authentication Label be made to the vehicle. If necessary, the mounting area shall be cleaned before affixing the Authentication Label using a high volatility solvent to remove any grease, dirt, oil, or other material which would degrade it's bond. The Certificate of Authenticity will be filled out and signed by the reviewing inspectors, including their Certificate of Qualification serial numbers. The Certificate of Authenticity shall be embossed with the STOA Seal, completing the authentication process. All recorded information shall be forwarded to the TAC Chairman for appropriate archival care. Security: All TAC materials shall be carefully controlled to prevent damage, loss, or disclosure. TAC will establish a written security agreement which each prospective trainee will agree to prior to training. Any photographic documentation, drawings, illustrations, or written descriptions of features used in authentication are to be kept under secure control. These documents are only to be shown to trainees or inspectors at official TAC training sessions. This material is NEVER to be shown, or disseminated to any person or organization outside of TAC. The custodianship of authentication forms and materials and any confidential documentation related to the program shall be held by the TAC Chairman, or the TAC Chairman's personally designated alternate(s). TAC inspectors are not to discuss the authentication criteria out-loud in public, or in any situation where they could be overheard by anyone outside of TAC, except at committee meetings or training sessions. TAC inspectors are not to discuss the authentication criteria with anyone who is not a TAC trainee or inspector. Publication and Release of Data: The policy of STOA, as an organization, shall be to publish or release only the identification of Tigers which have been authenticated. Any inquires and questions regarding STOA's knowledge of any particular vehicle will be forwarded to the TAC Chairman for an official club response. On Oct-30-12 at 10:32:15 PDT, seller added the following information: VERY IMPORTANT! I TYPED THE WRONG VIN# IT SHOULD READ B9472878 HROFE