1965 Sunbeam Tiger 260 Mk 1

This Sunbeam Tiger Mk 1A 260 V8 came into the UK from California in approximately 1990, and was subsequently converted to right-hand drive. “I purchased it in 2009, as I wanted one that was rust free,” explains the seller. “The paintwork was okay, if a bit faded by the Californian sun. However, most importantly, it had never been welded”. 

He took the opportunity at the time to have a bare-metal re-spray carried out in Old English White, changing the colour from its then, bright white. “There was no-expense spared to achieve the finish I wanted and even today, it remains in very good condition”. 

The original colour of the vehicle was confirmed by the Owners’ Club as having been Forest Green, which the seller says can still be seen in some small areas of the transmission tunnel. He knows this, having carried out much of the mechanical work on the car himself.

“I’ve spent in the region of £15,000 but obviously, that doesn’t include all of my labour. Work completed includes:

• Engine top-end rebuild with new head gasket and water pump, etc
• New Edelbrock inlet manifold and four-barrel Holly carburetor
• Re-dressing and re-chroming of engine bay items; front sub-frame removed and strengthened; new coil springs, adjustable shocks and poly bushes
• New headers, a radiator ‘big core’ conversion and reconditioned Tiger steering rack
• Refurbished fuel tanks (using POR-15 inside and out), new fuel pump 
• Refurbished rear axle outer bearings and seals, and converted to LSD by David Herning Motorsport
• New rear leaf springs, adjustable shock absorbers and polybushes
• New rear brakes and Wilwood four-pot front brake conversion; 15” Minilite alloy wheels fitted

“It’s totally rust-free and the paintwork looks amazing – like it was only done last week. It has approximately 73k miles on the clock and comes with the original 260 V8 and gearbox. I’ve covered around 1000 miles in it since 2009”. 

Panel-wise classic cars are only original once. Many reach old age only thanks to a welder’s torch. Not so here, it’s the reason that the seller waited for, and purchased, this example. The body remains as it left the factory, save for that bare-metal re-spray.

The result is a striking looking Tiger. The colour shows off its lines majestically. And it comes with a matching hardtop, should you wish to turn it into a Coupe once in a while.

The chrome presents pretty much perfectly, with straight swage lines, and those Minilite alloy wheels remain as new. Each is shod in fresh looking rubber. The hood, while it isn’t in the first flush of youth, looks to be perfectly serviceable. 

Of course, that’s surely of no consequence, as any subsequent owner worth their respective salt will spend most of their time with it firmly down.

Inside, it’s a study in Black (albeit, piped white). For a Sixties cabin it has everything you could want. The wood-rimmed, three-spoke Moto Lita steering wheel positively zings, as do the chrome-rimmed dials in the dashboard. The wood looks to be in good nick, while carpets and door cards are similarly smart. 

The boot is nicely trimmed with hardwearing mats. Lifting them reveals a spare wheel underneath, a jack, various tools and battery. There’s also an Owner Handbook for the adjustable Spax shock absorbers. 

“It really does drive well for its age,” says the seller. “The engine pulls strongly and the shocks are adjustable, so you can set them as you want basically. It remains fairly quick, given that it’s a 60-odd year old car now. I was getting it ready to put a 302 and Tremec gearbox in it, but the reality is that I’m not using the car enough and I don’t want my family having to sell it if anything ever happened to me. It really needs to be used and enjoyed”. 

Popping the bonnet reveals the Ford 260 V8 engine in all its glory; the Edelbrock inlet manifold and mesh filter frame combination lending it a snake-like beauty. It remains nice and clean underneath, with some racy decals on the bonnet underside lending it a period perfect US patina. 

The underside condition is quite superb with fresh looking suspension and running gear components on view and well-protected chassis components and metalwork. The exhaust system too looks to be in excellent health. 

The engine fires first time (3min 05secs on our Video Review, above) and erupts with a throaty note. The induction noise is addictive but undoubted stars of the aural show are the notes elicited from those beautifully sculpted stainless steel exhaust tips: brutal, majestic and enticing (3mins 38secs).

In the Tiger’s history file you will find a handwritten note from The Tiger’s Den (the Sunbeam Tiger Owners’ Club) detailing the importation of HCX 58C to the US and it’s original colour of Forest Green. It also confirms, on import to the UK, conversion to RHD using a correct Tiger steering rack. Finally, it also states the car’s engine and chassis numbers to be matching according to factory records. 

You will also find a selection of invoices, expired MoT test certificates, a Sunbeam ‘260’ and ‘289’ Workshop Manual and a Sunbeam Rootes Group Tiger suspension alignment guide. 

There are also three photographs in the Other Photos section of our Gallery, showing the car during the bare-metal re-spray that it received earlier in Paul’s ownership. 

Please visit the Documents and Other Photos section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this Sunbeam Tiger has been fettled, painted and maintained to an very high standard. 

Original AC Cobra prices have long since rocketed; meaning the only thing left for ‘mortal’ fans is to buy a replica. Not so, the Sunbeam Tiger. Following the same recipe of stuffing a big V8 engine under the bonnet of an English sports car, it offers a similarly brutal driving experience. This example, which we believe will realise somewhere between £30,000 and £40,000, proves that original hybrid marriages between Blighty and the US still remain affordable. 

Although the body had its bare metal re-spray a few years back, it’s covered barely a thousand miles since and remains in excellent fettle. Mechanically, it’s had a few choice upgrades – a limited-slip differential, as well as intake, carburettor and exhaust tweaks – to ensure a decidedly feisty driving experience. 

Now, ready for a new home, this Tiger should provide its next owner with a consummate Anglo-US hybrid experience. Hell’s Bells, that exhaust note alone is manna from heaven for petrolheads. We think this car will sell for somewhere in the region of £30,000 - £40,000, but could be more.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.