Vehicle Details
- Year: 1965
- Make: Sunbeam
- Model: Tiger
- VIN: B9471753LRXFE
- Mileage Shown: 9,080mi (5-digit odometer)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Midnight Blue
- Seller: Ptcabinfever
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Tucson, AZ 85745
- Lot #: V-0023929
Available for auction is this 1965 Sunbeam Tiger MK1 finished in Midnight Blue (58) over a black vinyl interior. Based on the Sunbeam Alpine Roadster, the Tiger was the result of a cooperative effort between Carroll Shelby and the Rootes Group in England. In a similar fashion to the famous AC Cobras, Shelby carefully wedged a Ford V8 engine into the Alpine chassis and upgraded the suspension, transmission, and rear end to accommodate the increased horsepower. This example was acquired by the seller about seven years ago from its previous owner of 44 years. The engine and transmission are said to have been rebuilt and the engine was upgraded with TRW pistons, cams, a 4-barrel carburetor, and more. This Tiger MK1 is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Arizona.
This Tiger comes finished in Midnight Blue (58) with a removable hardtop in black and is said to have been refinished in its original shade under previous ownership. Within the last year, the front and rear bumpers are said to have been re-chromed and all rubber weatherstripping has been replaced. Detailed images can be found in the gallery. Features include a single side-view mirror, dual exhaust outlets, and a set of Minilite-style wheels dressed in Falken tires.
The cabin is upholstered in black vinyl with matching door panels and carpeting. The carpets were replaced under previous ownership and the seat foams are due for replacement. Equipment includes a wood-rimmed steering wheel, wood dashboard trim, and roll-up windows. The seller confirms all instrumentation and accessories remain functional and notes that some of the gauges have been replaced.
This Tiger is powered by a 260ci Ford V8 engine that was balanced and blueprinted before it was upgraded with TRW pistons, cams, valves, screw-in rocker arm studs, a Holly 4-barrel carburetor, LAT headers, and a new radiator with a high-volume fan. The rear wheels are driven by way of a Ford Toploader 4-speed manual transmission. Approximately 9k miles are said to have been covered since the drivetrain was rebuilt. The car comes equipped with LAT traction bars as well as upgraded LAT front and rear sway bars. The most recent service is said to include new clutch and brake cylinders as well as new brake pads and shoes.
This sale will include a clean title.
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $26,000
- Auction End: Nov 11, 2022 08:02:15PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 18
Comments (43)
New to this site, curious is there a way to see if the reserve was met?
@nexnbax for sure
Still think it will be a great project car
@nexnbax i was looking very close there also. Was very hard to tell with the picture angles.
Front Crossmember seems sketchy as well, you think?
@nexnbax yea I noticed the same. The rear end is either not original or been modified for some reason
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Shock points look all wrong
Bid in the amount of $25,500
@Ptcabinfever Thanks for your quick response.
No worries: I simply wanted you to know where to find the fuel pump, in case you had time to fulfill the other viewer's request for photos of that part of the car.
Kind Regards
@Havenhearth @Havenhe I'm sorry but I'm at work and unable to do that at this time . If you buy the car I will be happy to do it for you later.
Bid in the amount of $25,250
Ptcabinfever (seller) The fuel pump is found under the parcel shelf. If you life the carpet on the passenger ( off side ) of your car. Open the 'door' in the shelf --it served as access for the battery box in the Alpine bodies-- and your fuel pump will be clearly visible, attached to the side of the 'battery box' enclosure.
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $20,550
Bid in the amount of $18,750
Bid in the amount of $18,500
Bid in the amount of $15,000
@Chris30559 That sounds right . I just added the ones in the trunk. I'm not sure how to find the fuel pump.
@Ptcabinfever If you go to the gallery, you should be able to see all of the photos.
@Chris30559 As far as we know it is original. We bought the car about 7 years ago and have done very little to it.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Chris30559 I'm adding a few ore photos for you. If you can't find them, please contact Pcarmarket and ask they about it.
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $5,000
@Ptcabinfever also I just noticed the rear end. What is the story with that, is it original? The lower shock mounts I can just barely make out do not look correct. Thanks!
@Chris30559 Fyi I am able to see 38 pictures in the gallery. Does that sound right or are there more than that?
@Ptcabinfever I appreciate the response. I pulled up the listing on my computer and still didn't see those photos. I must missing something, as far as I know I am on the main site? In any case would you be able to send a photo of the trunk with the floor cover removed, so I can see the battery and spare tire etc. Also a picture of the fuel pump under the rear hatch would be great. Thanks!
Bid in the amount of $4,000
Bid in the amount of $3,700
Bid in the amount of $3,300
@Chris30559 If you look at the main site those pictures are already there. There are several pictures that you may not have seen.
Is there any way you can post photos of the underside of the car by the driver and passenger floors.
@Havenhearth I agree with you - I have had 3 code 58 cars - this is not it. The fuel gauge is correct but it would be nice to see the rest too. Overall a nice Tiger and one that someone could enjoy.
@Ptcabinfever
There is a lot to commend this Tiger: I like the engine bay, interior, particularly the patinated original dash and the period Minilites
It IS important, for the accuracy of the listing, and for those who are not familiar with the Tiger, to clarify an important distinction that has, until now, not been properly drawn: You are completely correct that the Chassis ID tag lists the Rootes Color Code as Midnight Blue ( 58 ); you do, however, appear to insist that this car is Midnight Blue, which is, frankly, incorrect.
If you have not seen a Midnight Blue Tiger, that's understandable; if you have, however, that's another matter.
To assist in clarifying this distinction, which both goes to the originality of this car --a car that has clearly been resprayed ( because this color was Never in the Rootes color code system )-- please view this link to see the distinctive smokey dark, solid blue that left the Rootes factory,
https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1966-Tiger-for-BaT-writeup-1-620x413-1.jpg
This should help people viewing this listing when considering the Rootes Color Code 58, aka Midnight Blue.
I'm familiar with this color because --despite the six or so blues that 'grace' my Mk 1A Tiger-- there are still patches of the original color here and there.
Midnight Blue is a lovely color, befitting the very tasteful palette Rootes chose carefully for both Alpines and Tigers in the mid to late 1960s.
Bid in the amount of $3,050
It's numbers matching. No paperwork of Authenticity. It checks all of the boxes though.
It is midnight blue.
I have the soft top parts but it needs new vinyl.
Is it numbers matching and is there a certificate of Authenticity from TAC or SAOCA?
Bid in the amount of $2,800
Clean car - this looks to bright to be code 58 blue. Any soft top mechanism?
Bid in the amount of $2,356