ON THE PROWL ONLINE: Two 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Convertibles
May 12, 2020
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens
These two beautifully restored 1965 Sunbeam Tiger convertibles – Lot #120 (top) and Lot #209 – are among the hand-selected offering of collector cars on the docket for the Online Only May 2020 Auction.
Lot #120 – 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Convertible in Silver Gray Metallic.
Conceived by Ian Garrad, U.S. West Coast manager for Britain’s Rootes Motors, Sunbeam’s Alpine-based Tiger grabbed a slice of America’s rabid 1960s sports-car market. With its competition success, Garrad believed the Alpine was a strong candidate for conversion to V8 power and, once Garrad obtained approval, a Ford 260ci prototype built in less than a week by Ken Miles confirmed the concept. Shelby American also built a more involved conversion, tested by Garrad then evaluated in England during the summer of 1963. Company management, including Lord Rootes, enthusiastically approved the project, codenamed “Thunderbolt,” hiring the Jensen company to build it.
The sharp-looking Scarlet interior of Lot #120.
First available in the United States in 1964, the car was dubbed “Tiger” after Rootes’ 1925-26 Land Speed Record car. Tiger sales were spurred by high-profile product placements in movies and TV shows, including Mel Brooks’ popular spy comedy series “Get Smart,” driven by Don Adams as Secret Agent 86. While a GT-oriented road car, the Tiger nearly won the 1966 SCCA B/Production National Championship. With its high power-to-weight ratio, the Tiger was a fierce drag racer, taking a 1965 AHRA National Championship in class. Only some 7,000 Tigers were built through 1968 alongside the 260ci Mk I and Mk IA and 289ci Mk II. Only Chrysler’s takeover of Rootes ended the Tiger’s prowl with the cessation of Ford engine supplies.
Lot #209 – 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1 Convertible
On the docket during the Barrett-Jackson Online Only May 2020 Auction are two fine examples of the marque from the 1965 model year, each powered by Ford’s 260ci V8 engine and backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. Resplendent in Silver Gray Metallic with Scarlet upholstery, Lot #120 received an extensive, documented complete restoration in 2013, straight from a long-term (25-year) ownership. Coming from the garage of a member of the California Association of Tiger Owners (CAT), the special care and attention to detail this car had during the restoration was documented and comprehensively photographed. (The sale of this vehicle will close on Friday, May 15.)
A peak under the hood of Lot #209.
The second offering, Lot #209, is a Tiger Mk 1 finished in red over a black interior and is optioned with hubcaps and no hood scoop. It, too, was the subject of a previous restoration and is ready to hit the road as a great-driving top-down stunner. (The sale of this vehicle will close on Saturday, May 16.)
Smart collectors are starting to gravitate to the Tiger and, with their Shelby/Miles heritage and outstanding restorations, these 1965 Sunbeam Tiger convertibles are thrilling choices on all possible levels!
For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles on the docket for the Online Only May 2020 Auction, click HERE.