While I spend a fair amount of time in junkyards, I haven’t gotten to the point where I’m inspecting pillaged bodies up close or cleaning off distorted body tags to ascertain the VIN and original options. This level of detective work, however, may have helped the seller of this badly neglected 1965 Sunbeam Tiger determine this wasn’t a run-of-the-mill Sunbeam Alpine but a genuine Tiger, listed with a $10K Buy-It-Now here on eBay.
The seller describes this Tiger as a parts car, which is likely a fair statement. However, given the values of genuine Tigers, does anyone else think this will be restored? The original motor is long gone but the transmission and rear end are still with the car, along with several key body panels. Rust is a factor, however, and the seller says the frame is in extremely poor condition.
The Tiger is in North Carolina, specifically the unincorporated community of Pffaftown. While NC has a far more pleasant climate than rust belt states, it’s still not immune to prolonged periods of dampness and high humidity levels, and it appears this Tiger was parked over grass or stored in a warm, damp environment for many years. The floors may be holding together, but I’d question the integrity of the metal at this point.
The body has its share of rust spots as well, so it’s safe to say transforming this Tiger from a parts car to a runner will take untold sums of money and time. Still, the seller mentions that the sale will include good doors, a trunk lid, two hoods (one original, and one fiberglass), along with a grill, miscellaneous trim pieces, front and rear bumpers, tail lights, hubcaps, some wiring and factory jack. Is this rusty Tiger worth the cost of restoration?
That 10 should have a dot and two zeros behind it…
This is a Public Service Message for the purchaser, especially since even the patch panels have been attacked by the dreaded tin worm…
Click on the image for more information.
That made me laugh…good one
How to make a car disappear……………
Absolutely hilarious–still laughing!
Sunburnt Tiger with Rust Ease
Tough Love! Even at $1K this one just has too far to go – Check ebay for a “no-reserve” Tiger – original color was Forest Green now Blue. Don’t know why the red interior. But if it goes for under $30K buyer gets an immediate driver. Frame work, exhaust, paint, interior and more have been done; enjoy/drive the skinny tires off it in the first 7,000 mi!
The only thing of value here is the VIN and any body tags with whatever parts are salvageable. Unless you can transfer these parts to an Alpine roller and source an engine, you’re just buying parts. Restored Tigers bring a lot of money so it could be worth it if somebody has the knowledge and skill to go that route. Assuming it is a viable option. Unless someone feels that this pile can be restored?
OK – winch up the VIN and Body plates – move them to a clean chassis and what do you have – a vehicle which can’t get TAC’d – and, more likely than not, can’t be legally registered in most States. Dr Don says give the car its due and its last rights!
If there was just a bit more, like a dash with gauges, a bell housing and slave cylinder bracket, center console etc, etc. This car is doable but at 1500. Too much missing to be anywhere near 10k. Your going to spend $40,000 just to get the body squared away, add up all the tiger specific stuff not there and you’ll be upside down so far you’ll… well if you just gotta have one go for it, you can do it for less, sure you can, have fun. I’ll pass.
BHCC is probably crunching the numbers on how much over $10k to charge to make a profit.
Nope.
“seller says the frame is in extremely poor condition ” ?????
There is no frame, this is a unibody…. or should I say ” WAS ” unibody ……
Did Tigers have 4 lug rear ends ?
pretty sure it was all 5 lug., Good eye Gary
Put it away in the right climate controlled building, wait ’til a complete car will be worth $4,000,000, and then restore it. You’ll probably make $100 on it.
I’m a bit skeptical that this was (and I stress “was”) a Tiger.
Real tigers had the fire wall moved back rather than this to accommodate the 260/289.
There was also a shelf in the boot to re-position the spare underneath.. obviously all of that could have been removed, but there would be more of a trail of the absent shelf..
..and the rivet on one of the plates looks awfully large and new-ish
In this case, you could have all your friends & family write to Chip Foose & tell him what a benevolent humanitarian you are & that you saved a drowning kitten once, he may just be compelled enough to look at it for you……….lol
Boldest (as in way too much) ask I’ve seen on Barn Finds to date! And Gary Troxel, yes to your question, believe it was a Salisbury, same as a Mercury Capri.
Looks like it was found when they drained a lake……..
If I remember correctly, wasn’t there a difference in the rear fins between an Alpine and a Tiger?
Some observations: 1. ’65 – ’67 Tigers and Alpines generally shared the same 4 lug 13″ steel wheels. 2. This car’s trunk pan looks to be Tiger with the correct mounting boss for the spare and the size(s) and number of ribs. 3. Looks like doors and most fender surfaces have correct Tiger only spacing for rivets for belt line SS detail. 4. Firewall looks to be correctly cut-out for Tiger; unfortunately we can’t see the unique dimple for the generator in the rt inner fender or the plug wrench access hole in the firewall. 5. ’64 thru ’67 Tigers and Alpines shared same rear fender shape; ’64 – ’66 Mk I/Mk 1a added the SS detail and Tiger badging; ’67 Mk II deleted belt line SS but put stylish SS detail on fender lips and lower door sills. 6. The included parts definitely add value, if only for parting out (can’t tell who’s fiberglass hood is included – looks like a copy of the LAT hood). 7. The inner and outer door sills and the not shown cruciform are the backbone of these cars – tough to recreate without high-end welding/fabrication skills.
The telltale horrible work previously done to this car is unforgivable!
Conclusion – this is a “non-salvageable” Tiger with probably $3 – $5,000 worth of parts once they are cleaned up for sale – hardly worth the effort to haul it anywhere! On the other hand, I still have four fingers and a thumb, so maybe at $1,500 plus hauling, this one could be salvaged – redone to 10′ driver status might get a DIYer whole. The guys in Manitoba seem to have a corner on junked Alpines and Tigers – maybe they know (no) this car.
Time for a (Canadian) Rye of course.
Sunbeandon, right on, I stand corrected on a couple of points.
Tigers also had body trim through mid-section, and Alpines did not. You can see the pin holes in the body where the trim was.
What kind of Canadian Rye?
Hi Mark:
Growing up in YVR as teenagers (don’t ask) we drank Wisers and when we turned 21 and could we drank Grey Cup. When I can get to Whistler from SEA I buy any Rye with as close to 50 proof as I can get; however, in more sane moments I’ll “stoop” to Can Club Northern Harvest. Last week I got spoiled by a gift from my daughter – her Ex (Ex lead guitarist for Heart) introduced his own label – 100 proof – Heart of the Blues – Roger Fisher Rye Whiskey. Small amount of water and lots of ice to stretch it out – Incredibly smooth, great flavors, decadent delight!
Cheers!