Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mark 1

Chassis No. – B9472247
Body No. - JAL 561804
Exterior Color – Black
Interior Color – Black
Engine – Ford 302 V8
Transmission – 4-Speed manual transmission
Mileage – 58,985 (TMU)
Current owner – Purchased in 1996 by current owner who has put 1,500 miles on it.

Highlights of This Car

25 years of current ownership
Rare factory black car with outstanding finishes
California car since delivery
Loaded with period correct LAT performance options
Rare optional hard top

Modifications From Stock

1968 Ford 302 engine with early 351 heads (block # C80E-6015A 8B3)
Silverstone magnesium racing wheels
LAT options owner added (see list)
Melling high volume oil pump
Three-Row cross flow radiator
Custom built water pump with hipo curved impeller
McLeod Racing clutch and disc

General History

Carroll Shelby is credited with some of the most important sports cars ever built. Yet the AC Cobra was not the only British car to be powered by a performance V8 engine and marketed as an American sports car. The Sunbeam Tiger provided enthusiasts a balanced lightweight platform (modified by legendary Ken Miles), a 260 Ford V8 engine, and contemporary styling based on the proven Sunbeam Alpine.

The first Tiger was built at Shelby American, but later refined for production in England. Just over 7,000 examples were constructed between 1964 and 1967. The Tiger was not only a refined and cleverly manufactured sports car, it proved to be highly capable in racing trim including three Tigers constructed for Le Mans, an endless series of successful Rally cars, and competitive privateer race cars both in the US and UK. Though commonly thought to be an Alpine with a performance engine, the Tiger was significantly different in construction and build including several period high-performance street and competition components offered from the Rootes Group Dealership “Los Angeles Tiger” (LAT) the original source for a wide array of highly desirable and rare components specifically built for these sought-after sports cars.

History of This Car

This Tiger was ordered new from the factory, assembled on January 26, 1965, and painted Embassy Black with a black interior. The build tag displays color code #1, verifying it is a correct factory Black Tiger.

Originally delivered to the first owner in California, the car still retains the original black and yellow plate that it wore when first registered. Believed to have been delivered through the Rootes Group dealership in California, the first owner has yet to be identified, though all subsequent owners since have been well documented in the Tiger community through the fifth and current owner, who purchased the car in 1996 and has retained it over the past 25 years.

Although the original 260 V8 engine is no longer with the car, the car has the original transmission and differential.

Transmission –HEH E 012614
Differential – C4HA 004

Restoration

Although the car was in excellent original condition, in 1985 a high-quality restoration was performed by top Tiger experts. The car was stripped to the bare metal and repainted using Glasurit acrylic enamel. All exterior chrome was removed and redone by experts at Christiansen Plating and all exterior stainless was polished to a gleaming finish. The 302 engine with early 351 Windsor heads was removed and rebuilt in 1986 by Ford performance authority Don Barrington who used TRW aluminum pistons with 9.5:1 compression, a degreed Ultradyne hydraulic camshaft (292 duration with .45 lift), and Ultradyne anti-pump-up lifters. All engine parts were balanced before assembly. A blueprinted 600 cfm Holley carburetor was installed on a period correct LAT Edelbrock F4B intake manifold.

All new bushings and ball joints were installed, the crossmember fully reinforced, and the shock towers welded for greater strength and durability. All suspension components were either powder coated, or cad plated to closely match factory finishes. The restoration retained the stock front and rear springs with period correct rebuilt original Koni shock absorbers, and a hollow 1” front sway bar. The brakes were rebuilt with braided stainless lines and silicone fluid used for the hydraulics. All hard hydraulic lines were bent to factory specifications using stainless steel. A McLeod racing clutch was installed, and the factory original four-speed transmission rebuilt, while a rare LAT option 3.31 Traction Loc rear end was installed. A Melling high volume oil pump, three-row cross-flow radiator, and custom built water pump with hipo curved impeller were also installed to aid in cooling and extend engine reliability.

The black interior was redone including seating surfaces which were reupholstered in Connolly leather. High-quality German vinyl was used to finish off the remaining black upholstery throughout the car. The carpets were redone using Wilton wool and all instruments were tested and reconditioned as needed.

For the past 25 years, under current ownership, the car has been treated with further meticulous care and attention to authenticity by the dedicated owner who has searched for the very best NOS Ford parts and special LAT parts to enhance this superb Tiger. The current owner removed all engine components down to the engine block and refurbished the engine and engine compartment with great care. Details under the hood include a correct blue faced voltage regulator, correct clear fuel filter with properly crimped factory clamps, original air filter, correct vacuum hose still retaining the original yellow band, “TESTED” stickers adhered to the horn, and correct Americ windshield wiper blade arms.

Original factory upgrades using NOS parts include the following rare LAT parts which were available through authorized Rootes Dealerships.

LAT1 – Sunbeam Tiger Induction Kit including Holley 4-barrel Carburetor and Edelbrock F4B Low Rise manifold

LAT2 – Engine dress up kit including chrome air cleaner cover (with correct bottom plate Hammerite finish), dip stick, radiator cap, and polished “Tiger Powered by Ford” valve covers.

LAT4 – “Tiger Powered by Ford” 6.5-quart finned aluminum oil pan

LAT5 – Weld-on Traction Master anti-tramp bars

LAT42 – 6 blade “Maverick” engine fan

LAT60 – PosiTraction 3.31 Non-Slip Differential

LAT72 – Competition exhaust headers finished with Sermatel HPC coating

Recently the car has been detailed by award-winning detail master Bill Larzelere whose superlative detailing skills and methods have earned numerous top concours awards.

Current Condition and Ownership
Superlative in every respect and finished to the highest level of detail, this Sunbeam Tiger must be counted as one of the finest restored examples in existence. With LAT performance features throughout the car, NOS Ford parts used for numerous components, and high-quality materials used throughout the interior, the car is a visual delight of originally specified finishes and superb restoration quality.

The paint finish is deep and lustrous, defying the near 40 years since application. The surface and bodywork have been expertly performed exhibiting excellent panel fit with further superb inner surfaces and underside panels detailed to equal quality. The glass, lenses, and trim are excellent along with laser straight polished stainless features. The car sits perfectly on the rare Silverstone magnesium wheels shod with Avon CR6ZZ racing tires. The chrome is excellent in all areas with brilliant reflections throughout. The badges, trim and Tiger script lettering are perfectly applied. The optional hardtop included with the car fits properly and has excellent original glass, a correct white headliner, and correct hardware, latches, and excellent weatherstripping.

The interior is excellent in every respect including a beautifully finished wood rimmed steering wheel, excellent dashboard with lacquered wood finish, and clean, clear instrumentation, all having been restored in 1986 and remaining like new today. The leather seats are beautifully finished with Mark IA series pleating. The convertible soft top is present and serviceable, also in excellent condition.

Under the hood, the 302 V8 has been beautifully and accurately detailed with correct features and period correct accessories including a FoMoCo generator, beautifully finished polished valve covers, the correct chrome plated air cleaner element with factory correct Hammerite finished bottom tray, proper air filter element, correct hoses, correct clamps, and correct glass canister fuel filter.

The trunk is correct in appearance housing a rare and original type Lucas battery and venting hose/caps, properly located in the rear tray alongside the spare tire, nestled beneath the trunk floor cover. Even the correct factory snap strap is in place to hold the trunk floor in the hinged-up position when accessing the spare tire. Trunk finishes are correct and beautifully detailed.

The underside of the car is essentially in show level condition exhibiting no evidence of structural damage and excellent finishes throughout. The specially coated LAT headers are in excellent condition, flanking the finned cast aluminum LAT oil pan and factory original 4-speed transmission. The rear axle is assisted by LAT Traction Master anti-tramp bars, welded for extra strength and durability. The stainless-steel exhaust exits the header collectors through the X member, terminating with dual exhaust tips suspended by correct twist metal exhaust hangers. Still bearing the original California black and yellow license plate delivered when new, the original body panels, chassis, and floor remain in excellent condition largely due to the dry California climate this car has known since delivered new.

Included with This Car

An original Sunbeam 260 owner’s handbook signed by Carroll Shelby
Various miscellaneous spare parts
Two spare sets of keys
A zipper split black tonneau cover
Three spare Lucas headlights
A set of standard type valve covers
Ten original type glass in-line fuel filters
Spare wiper blade arms
Sunbeam 260 - 289 workshop manual
Two spare air filter elements
Ford Rotunda Red Oil Filter
Voltage regulator
Heater valve
Car Cover
Fan belt

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608