Do you know of Norm Miller? I don’t but looking around I discovered he was a major-league outfielder, playing from 1965 until 1974 for both the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. His career batting average was .238 and that may be the reason that his name doesn’t ring one of my baseball bells. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, this ’65 Sunbeam Tiger supposedly belonged to him – glad I got that out of the way. A project in need of restoration, Mr. Miller’s former Tiger is located in Santa Clara, California and is available, here on craigslist for $30,000. A tip of the hat goes to Gunter K for this discovery!
This Tiger Mark I was parked in L.A. for twenty-some years and it sounds by the listing as if the seller has had possession for at least some time now. While the Azure Blue finished body is a bit rough looking, closer inspection reveals that it appears to be sound overall, including the floor pans. It is stated that the seller pulled this two-seater apart to powerwash away the accumulated years of dirt and he has all of the parts for reassembly except the tool kit and its strap. Good to see is the presence of the removable hardtop, its boxy profile and slanted C-pillar actually enhance the Alpine’s lines, it looks like no other similar-era sports car IMHO.
The seller makes a statement, “I installed the engine years ago with a new clutch don’t remember if it’s a 260 or 5 bolt 289” – that seems odd. Being a Mark I, it should be a 164 gross HP 260 CI V8 but the engine could have been swapped over the years – even going back to Norm’s ownership. Regardless, it shouldn’t take a Sherlock to determine what it is. Operating capability is not mentioned so I’d be inclined to assume that this Tiger currently has no growl. As is usually the case, a four-speed manual transmission connects the Ford small block motor to the rear wheels.
The interior could obviously use some help. The seats are in only fair shape, the door cards are gone, the removed carpet shows surface-rusted floors but not necessarily rotted pans, and a very destroyed dash pad is still perched right beneath the windshield. The instrument panel, however, looks complete and the gauges are still legible.
I have certainly encountered much nicer examples of Sunbeam’s iconic, Ford-powered sports car, as well as reviewing quite a few that are in considerably worse shape. This one seems to be a good project base though I’d like to know more about the engine, as in, what is it, and what’s wrong with it. It’s easy to find examples of restored Tigers and their market values are frequently in the low six-figure range. Knowing that item, what do you think about this Sunbeam’s $30K ask, priced right or not quite?
Pretty rough for 30K. Might be a solid car but every square inch of it requires something done to it based on the photos. Long, expensive rebuild here.
These cars are so neat. I’d like to know what the actual engine was, and it would be worth more if it still had that engine. For the restoration, it needs a lot, so it will take plenty of time and money.
Starting at 30k then a 50k restoration puts you upside down in a hurry. This car has been discussed on other forums with the same consensus. Yes they’re cool, but not 80 grand cool.
Why should we care who a previous owner might have been?? This is just a sad Tiger that might get saved.
Norm Miller is like the head guru of Sunbeam Tigers. He wrote and published “The Book of Norman” defining just about every known fact of the Tiger.
@JOD: I think the Norm Miller the ad refers to is Tiger guru Norman Miller:
Norman Miller said Rootes produced 532 MK2 cars. He ought to know, as he is the caretaker of the Sunbeam Tiger Registry and a founding member of the Tiger Authentication Committee. He also wrote the definitive guide to the car, a book called, appropriately, The Book of Norman.
Oh, OK, shows what I know. Of course a little more info. than name-dropping on the part of the seller would have helped.
Thx,
JO
Prep and paint the floor, fire it up and drive it. That way it’s worth close to the asking price. If you want a restored Tiger go buy one finished, much cheaper than this one (unless you do all the work yourself).
Have you seen how much people are trying to get for the book of Norman? I’m glad that I bought one for $50 years ago
Considering the prices on these things have skyrocketed? $30k isn’t bad if it’s really not a rust bucket. Plus, small block Fords are everywhere and reasonable.
No one mentioned the LAT 70 wheels with spinners on the car . Those will enhance the value, as well .
So it’s a tiger, but this ones lost it’s stripes. For $30K if I were in the market I’d pass on this one .Too much labor and cash outlay to be worth the asking price.