1965-sunbeam-tiger-mark-i
Lot 5014
1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mark I
Lot Details & Additional Photographs


VIN: JAL 560896 Chassis # B9471306 LXRFE Mileage: 47,100 showing

Developed by the Rootes manufacturing company to introduce a performance version of their Alpine roadster. They consulted with Carroll Shelby in the U.S. who had success with the V8 conversion of the AC Cobra. Ultimately Jensen in the UK was contracted to build the cars instead of American manufacturing by Shelby.

With a Ford 260 cubic inch V8, a Ford four-speed manual transmission and dual stainless steel exhaust. A later Holley 600 cfm four-barrel carburetor was added with an low rise aluminum intake. Aluminum headers and dual exhaust. Also with, front disc brakes with rear drums, independent front suspension with a live rear axle and elliptical springs. With traction control bars that are bolt on and may be a LAT 6 option. Also with dual fuel tanks and a single filling hole on the passenger side. New fourteen inch VTO Classic 8 wheels have Uniroyal Tiger Paw 185/65R14 touring tires with a 2015 date code.

Exterior in Carnival Red, with a new black Robbins vinyl convertible top. The interior with red-piped black vinyl seats and console, new solid black dash, carpet, and door cards. A walnut dash is installed with genuine Jaeger gauges, and a Moto-Lita three spoke steering wheel. An aftermarket AM/FM/CD player is installed under the dash with 6.5" speakers installed in front kick panels.

Please note, bidders may be subject to a bidding limit. Please review your account and contact the front office for assistance with increasing a bid limit prior to the auction.

This lot subject to reserve. For this lot, payment accepted only by wire transfer. 15% buyer's premium for LLA live-online and absentee bidding. 20% buyer's premium for live internet bidding through LiveAuctioneers. For winning bidders in NC, license plate and titling of vehicle will be obtained by Leland Little Auctions NCFL# 7452, provided all applicable fees and taxes are paid. Additional taxes may be due upon registration, depending on your state of residence.

A restoration was performed 2018-19, and remains in wonderful condition. The car drives as expected. Due to the ease of modifying these cars, very few original examples remain. The first three characters of the engine code are visible "4C2", and indicate a build of March of 1964. The production number of the car indicates an August/September time frame for build and supports a correct time frame for originality. Engine, transmission, gearbox, suspension and brakes rebuilt during body-off restoration. Recently detailed in-house to include engine bay and chassis, the chrome front and rear bumpers with bumperettes are in wonderful condition. Many of the door and window seals have been replaced, with a Pertronix Flamethrower ignition and many other new parts installed. Owner claims that gauges were rebuilt, radiator recored, and the seats were refoamed and recovered.

The following condition report, while thorough, is not exhaustive as vintage cars have inherent wear and imperfections. We welcome personal inspections.

The replacement top was not installed with the two fasteners on each side of body for the top to attach to the body. Some bars were fabricated to secure from the inside, but inhibit the operation of the convertible top. They have been removed for convertible top operation; paint and chrome in wonderful condition, with some chipping to the top covers from previous attempts to operate the top with the bars installed; the convertible tops on these cars are not very forgiving, and there is only one way to prepare the top for concealment, this one operates correctly; appears to have an aftermarket fiberglass hood scoop, maybe LAT 25 option; passenger side steering rack boot needs replacing; slight misalignment to the trunk lid, and the drivers door/rocker; fuel gauge has been intermittent; the turn signal operates but the indent is worn, and operation should be deliberate; coolant system flushed; the vinyl covers for the side covers of the top are present but not attached; jack and tire tool present along with a spare; indications of adequate repairs to rear wheel openings and doglegs; right side rockers have been repaired; filler is present; right front fender paint with slight imperfections; undercoating is present; appears to have floorpan replacement; otherwise in overall wonderful condition; with no other apparent concerns.