1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk 1 4.2-Litre

Designed in part by renowned American car designer and racer Carroll Shelby, in an attempt to raise the declining fortunes of the Rootes Group, the Tiger was penned around the popular Sunbeam Alpine bodyshell with V8 motivation in an attempt to compete successfully in world markets where larger capacity engines and sports car styling were at the forefront of late 1960s motoring. Codenamed 'Thunderbolt', the whole project took place without the knowledge of Lord Rootes and when he found out he got 'very grumpy' by all accounts, although he had the good sense to get a prototype shipped to Coventry and was deeply impressed with the car when it arrived. Shelby had envisaged assembling them in America as he had done with AC Cobras, however, Rootes opted to pay him a royalty on each unit and use West Bromwich-based Jensen Motors to build the cars as they had spare capacity having just ceased their Volvo P1800 assembly contract. A total of some 7,085 Sunbeam Tigers were eventually produced, including 536 of the now very rare 4.7-litre Mk2 versions which arrived in 1967. The final cars rolled off the lines in 1968, production being shelved when Chrysler took over the Rootes Group, their new bosses unable to sanction a car powered by their arch-rivals, Ford.

This very early, original UK-registered, right-hand drive Sunbeam Tiger is finished in Mediterranean Blue, its original colour, with a black interior and was purchased by the present owner some four years ago as a very nice unmolested example but in need of a little care and attention.  With that in mind, a full body refresh was undertaken and the original bumpers were re-chromed and a new Mohair hood fitted. Internally all was very presentable but a replacement set of carpets were deemed necessary to provide the finishing touch.

It was initially registered on 31st March 1965, the first year of UK-availability, to Ronald George Manson in Edinburgh bearing the registration number 384 LTJ, the number it retains to this very day. With following custodians situated throughout the UK, pleasingly the car's present home is once again north of the border. Sitting on a recently fitted set of genuine Minilite alloy wheels, we are told that the Tiger now presents extremely well and is up and running as one would expect. With all the hard work now complete, this is an ideal opportunity to acquire part of the UK's sports car history ready to be enjoyed out on the open road with that addictive burble ringing in your ears; the burble that only a V8 can provide.