This great 1965 Sunbeam Tiger find from reader Jim S is located in Dallas, Texas and is for sale here on eBay, where bidding is over $15,000 but has not yet met the reserve. It was certainly used a lot in the past as the seller is disclosing that it has over 113k miles. It’s hard to tell if it’s been repainted or not, the seller says it’s original but looking around the serial plates, it looks to me like it’s been repainted at least once. An unfortunate aftermarket sunroof has been installed in the hardtop (why do this to a convertible?) but the soft top frame is present. I can’t imagine wanting to keep the hardtop on a Tiger anyway. With it’s original 260 still in place, this is an unusual car as it hasn’t been modified a lot. Would you fix it to drive as-is or restore it? It’s got a little too much rust for me to leave it alone–I think I’d restore this one.
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- Why a sunroof for a convertible?
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- Original paint?
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- Original 260
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- Largely intact interior
My dad painted cars on the side during the 70’s and 80’s. A lot of XKE’s and one of these. It was painted British Racing Green. Now that was a fun car.
I’ve owned a couple of Sunbeams, but I don’t think this one is worth $20k
I always liked these cars, but I think they would be tough to work on. If that is the original 260, its been souped up a bit. Tube headers are installed and that’s a huge 4 bbl for just 260 cid. I thought they came with Motorcraft 2100 series 2 bbl. from new.. ,, Nice find .
It is correct that this car came originally with a two barrel carburetor. It is also correct that they can be somewhat difficult to work on. Unusually tight around the exhaust, some spark plugs have to be accessed through the wheel wells. There also British which means they are finicky about a half a dozen other things.. But they are highly collectible. I think it’s extremely possible that this car will see a $20,000 bed. Their value has exploded in the past few years.
This Tiger has lost its way! Early serial number – 250th Tiger; vinyl dash may be correct; missing steering wheel; missing gauges; missing side rub strip; lots of “non-stock” mods (what’s the purpose for the fuel-log in the trunk?) More than one repaint; hood is effed-up with botched removal of scoop; and on-and-on.
All-in-all, a tough deal above $20,000. Add $5,000 and have a barely competent runner; spend $20,000 and have a current value $40,000 car. Could be a great father-son project!
I would definitely restore this one! My dad had an early ’65 growing up, every option except clock in the dash- even had a small radio that was on a bracket under the dash that ran on 6 C cell batteries and had its own antennae. Had the top speed rear diff (125 MPH @ 4500 RPM) and the engne had some race stuff on it- bigger 4 barrel (had to beat in the firewall/lip where the bonnet closed for it to cear), headers and cams. Also had an early optional plastic (I think) panel that covered the top once it was folded. Made the package shelf into a seat for us kids. I remember being back there when he ran it up to 120, no seat belt, not even a real seat, and dad said “That’s it, that’s all the faster she’ll go!”- didn’t want to push that engine since it was higher miles at that point. Dash was walnut burl (I believe) and had a wood rimmed wheel with a large chrome horn ring and an aftermarket walnut shift knob with the Sunbeam logo in it.