1965 (D) Sunbeam Tiger 5 SPEED 302 V8 MOTOR SPORT POWER

What a cool car , the muscle car version of the Rootes Group Sunbeam Alpine Roadster, rare now . Hand built by Jensen in West Bromwich, First registered in March 1965, this Sunbeam Tiger MkI. She has been in the prior keepers ownership for around 35 years. A retired motor engineer with much experience of the model, he spent many years slowly restoring this car, enlisting professional help where required. The bodywork was restored in 2005 by Hope Classic & Restoration Ltd of Doncaster, at a cost of £5,514, the labour rate at the time being £27.50 per hour so you can imagine how much more it would cost today. They did a fine job and it still looks wonderful over 15 years later, with gleaming Ford Midnight Blue paintwork. matched with contrasting pale blue hide interior along with royal blue deep pile carpets . Under the bonnet lurks a more powerful Ford Motor Sport 302ci V8 engine 4,948cc which was fully rebuilt, dyno sheets from Hi-Tech Motorsport of Kidderminster showing that it was producing 233bhp and 257lb/ft at 3,700rpm when rolling road tuned in 2015. This is mated to a 5-speed Borg Warner gearbox and a Salisbury Powr Lok limited slip differential. Other goodies include: uprated aluminium radiator and feathering fan uprated front road springs. Spax adjustable dampers front and rear and ventilated front disc brakes. All other components were renewed or rebuilt as required, including a new clutch; clutch and brake master cylinders . Lockheed brake servo alternator and wiring loom. The car rides on period 13 American Racing alloy wheels, shod with Yokohama tyres, at the front and Falken at the rear.The interior was fully retrimmed with blue seat covers, Sabelt safety harnesses, top quality carpets and a blue mohair hood. Since the restoration was completed in 2008, the car has only covered around 2,500 fine weather miles , as shown by 11 old MOTs. the odometer currently showing 68,492 miles. Although it no longer needs one, it has a current MOT valid until May 2023 with no advisories recorded. Starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure, this expertly rebuilt and uprated Tiger is in wonderful condition throughout and now only needs an enthusiastic new owner who can give it the more regular exercise it deserves.