1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1

We are delighted to offer for sale an excellent example of the Sunbeam Tiger. It was purchased by our seller, the Byrnes Motor Trust in Australia, over a decade ago on eBay UK but was in a very poor state.

A car with significant private race history in the 1960s, it raced with a 289 V8 motor and top loader gearbox, and these are now fitted to the car. Also with the car is a 260 V8 engine that was fitted to the car when it was purchased. We are told it was in running order at that time.

The car had sadly suffered significant structural damage. The Australian Supreme Court made a judgment on appeal which stated that damaged race cars or road cars that essentially had the drive line and tags fitted into a donor body could not claim that car to be an original car. The owner’s plan had to change.

So, what to do? Well, the Trust decided to invest significant funds to restore this race car to its former glory using as many original parts as possible and what a fantastic job they have done. The vendor says “The car was advertised by the son of the original owner, and was raced by his mother in the 1960’s. At the end of its racing life it ran a 289 with a top loader. It also ran the disc brakes which were available that were fitted to the Harrington Tigers that ran at Le Mans. The car is original Tiger and has had new floors , new inner and outer sills, the cowl had rusty sections removed and repaired. The subframe was repaired ensure it was structurally sound and then stiffened to race car spec. It has the original tags, the original 260 engine, fire system, roll cage and rules-complying seats and race harnesses”. 

It is now in a state where the next owner needs to decide what to do. It could be street registered or left as a period race car, ready to compete in historic events around the globe.

The Covid situation has removed any possibility of an Australian gentleman racer competing in UK competitions for at least 18 months, so the decision has been made to sell the car.

In the photo gallery you can see a copy of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club letter confirming the registration number GEL 260D was preceded by FJT 86D, which should help with obtaining a registration and new V5C from the DVLA.

Carnival red, what a lovely colour! And looking closely it is easy to see that the Tiger has had a superb paint job. For example, much of the car is almost completely free of orange peel.

Not only that, but the shut lines and panels are genuinely excellent and ripple free. Normally at this point, we might add a caveat to say the paint and panels are good ‘for a racecar’, but in this case, we can say the presentation is good enough for a truly excellent road car.

The contrasting black roof tops of what is a stunning exterior. It should be noted that there is no soft top with the car.

The chrome glistens, and to our eyes everything looks period correct, down to the little details. Looking through the invoices, most appears to be brand new.

Wheels by JBW are as new and come fitted with Dunlop tyres that show no signs of use.

If you thought the outside was dazzling, then take a look at the bespoke interior. As good as the day it left the factory? Better, much better…

Pride of place goes to the OMP driver’s seat, designed to keep you firmly in place. This will be race legal we are told up to 2023. The belts on the other hand will need to be replaced.

There’s a passenger seat too, should anyone be brave enough to want to accompany you on a full-bore drive.

From the wood rimmed steering wheel to the exquisite wood dash, there’s a lot to take in. Both are top quality and are sure to impress.

We can honestly say that the fit and finish of the interior is excellent, and the areas of exposed paint as well done as the exterior.

You might guess from what has been already said that a look beneath the surface of this stunning car will not disappoint.

The engine compartment is a joyous sight to behold, that wonderful V8 motor the star turn. Sounds even better when you fire it up!

Let us also not forget that the 260 V8 engine is also included in the sale and we are told this was in running order when it was removed from the car a decade or so ago.

Ancillaries have all been replaced with quality items and the car should be ready to go.

The boot houses a racing fuel tank.

Koni shocks are fitted front and rear.

A look through the accompanying invoices gives a clear indication of the extent of the renovations that this car has undergone. The results are clear to see.

If the desire is to race the car, then much of the hard work has already been done. The car will of course need to be set up for the track and what is required will depend on the regulations in place at the time.

Having an established race pedigree should help this car gain entry to some of the more exclusive events. There is even a photo of the car in action back in the day…

A scroll through the invoices will show the extent of new components fitted.

In January 2012, the Sunbeam Tigers Club was consulted and in amongst the car’s paperwork you will find a letter from the club’s then Vice Chairman confirming the car’s build history.

The possibilities are endless! Here we have a stunning and rare Sunbeam Tiger, one upon which much love and attention has been heaped, not to mention stacks of cash.

With its racing pedigree, we can see the new owner preparing the car to compete in historic races. It’s no shrinking violet and could very easily be right up there jockeying for position with the Cobras and such like. Oh, and no inflated Cobra price tags here!

Let’s do the maths. A race engine good enough to propel a car to a top ten Goodwood finish is likely to cost £20,000 to £30,000. Then there are the additions to suspension, drivetrain etc…. And that’s before you buy the car.

So, if you wanted a racing E-Type, something in the order of £400,000 would be required, a Cobra, in the region of £800,000 and a 250 SWB, don’t ask.

Makes the Tiger’s £47,500 to £70,000 price tag seem a bit of a bargain.

Alternatively, and such is the quality of the car’s fit and finish, we can also see the next owner using this as a road car. Pop out the roll cage, order a new soft top, and carefree summer days might await, exploring the highways and byways of this green and pleasant land. Choices, choices.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’