1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1
- Engine
- 4.2L V8
A 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1 converted to competition specification in the mid-1990s, this V8-engined British sports car traces its conceptual origins to the AC Cobra project and was developed with Carroll Shelby's involvement. Extensively prepared for rallying, it received a bare-metal respray in Forest Green, a black leather interior with roll hoop, and a fully overhauled drivetrain including its 260 CID Ford V8 and four-speed gearbox. FIA GTS-12 homologation papers were issued in 2009, and the car has since been maintained and regularly campaigned by recognised specialists.
Ownership
- 2023-02-24Auction saleEstimate £40,000 – £45,000
- 2023-08-25Auction saleEstimate £35,000 – £40,000
- 1965 →Factory deliveryUnnamed ownerpartial documentation
First registered in 1965; no further detail on the original owner is given in the catalogue prose.
- Date unknownPrevious owner(s) responsible for competition conversionpartial documentation
The car was converted to full competition specification during this period of ownership, covering bodywork, interior, mechanical overhaul, and suspension modifications aimed at rally use.
Competition
- —Historic competition campaigning
The car has been regularly entered in competition events in more recent years following specialist maintenance, though no specific individual events or results are named in the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2009Inspection
FIA GTS-12 homologation papers issued, certifying the car for eligible historic competition events.
- —Restoration
Full competition conversion involving stripping bodywork and hardtop to bare metal, repainting in Forest Green over multiple coats, retrimming the interior in black leather with green piping and fitting bucket seats, and installing a roll hoop.
Work carried out in the mid-1990s as part of preparation for rally use; precise workshop not identified.
- —Engine rebuild
Comprehensive documented overhaul of the 260 CID Ford OHV V8 engine and transmission as part of the mid-1990s competition build.
Carried out concurrently with the bodywork and interior work; documentation reportedly retained in the history file.
- —Mechanical
Suspension and running gear modified to suit intended rally competition use, carried out as part of the overall mid-1990s competition preparation.
- —ServiceDon Law Racing / Pearson Engineering
Ongoing maintenance and preparation carried out by two named specialist workshops in more recent years, keeping the car in a campaigned state.
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