1965 Sunbeam Tiger

This outstanding 1965 true British sports car to compete with the all muscle AC Cobra with a little more gentleman style. This outstanding Sumbeam Tiger has been in the current ownership for a number of years unused and tucked away. The car was bought out of hibernation and fully refurbished. The engine was removed and totally rebuilt, the trim refurbished and the whole car bae metal repainted in this stunning royal Blue.

The 1965 Sunbeam Tiger is one of the great Anglo-American performance cars of the 1960s—a lightweight British roadster powered by a muscular American V8. Its creation is often compared to the formula that made the Cobra famous: take a nimble British sports car and install a Ford V8.

The car sounds great and drives so well, makes all the right noises and looks stunning.

How the Tiger Was BornThe story begins with the Rootes Group, the British company that produced the Sunbeam Alpine roadster. While the Alpine was stylish and well-handling, its four-cylinder engine lacked the performance needed to compete with emerging sports cars.Seeking more power, Rootes explored fitting a V8 into the Alpine. The project eventually reached the attention of racing legend Carroll Shelby, who had already achieved enormous success with the AC Cobra.Shelby's team proved that Ford's compact 260-cubic-inch V8 could fit into the Alpine's engine bay with surprisingly few changes. The result was a completely transformed car that combined British handling and style with American horsepower.Launch and PerformanceThe Sunbeam Tiger debuted in 1964, and the 1965 model year became the first full year of production.Key specifications included:Ford 260 cu in (4.3-litre) V8Approximately 164 horsepower4-speed manual transmission0–60 mph in around 8 secondsTop speed approaching 120 mphThose figures made the Tiger one of the quickest British sports cars available at the time.What Made It SpecialUnlike many sports cars of the era, the Tiger offered:Reliable Ford V8 powerStrong torque throughout the rev rangeComfortable grand-touring capabilityDistinctive British roadster stylingFrom the outside, it looked very similar to the Alpine, making it something of a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Only subtle details—such as Tiger badging and revised trim—hinted at its performance potential.The Carroll Shelby ConnectionAlthough Shelby's involvement was relatively brief, his contribution became a major part of the Tiger's legend. The project was developed through Shelby's organization before production engineering was finalized in Britain.This connection has led many enthusiasts to refer to the Tiger as the "little brother" of the Cobra.Racing SuccessThe Tiger proved capable in competition as well. It competed successfully in rallies and endurance events, demonstrating that its V8 power could be matched by durability and handling.Perhaps most famously, Tigers appeared in international rally competition, helping establish the model's sporting credentials beyond straight-line speed.The End of ProductionThe Tiger's life was cut short by corporate changes. In 1967, the Rootes Group came under the control of Chrysler Corporation.Since the Tiger relied on a Ford V8 engine, Chrysler had little interest in continuing production of a sports car powered by a competitor's engine. Production ended in 1967.Total production was relatively low:Approximately 7,000 Tiger Mk I and Mk IA modelsAbout 600 Tiger Mk II modelsThese modest numbers contribute significantly to the car's collectability today.Pop Culture FameThe Tiger gained additional fame through television. Actress and comedian Jayne Mansfield owned a customized pink Tiger, while the model became associated with the glamorous and adventurous spirit of the 1960s.LegacyToday, the 1965 Sunbeam Tiger is regarded as:One of the most desirable Sunbeam models ever builtA classic Anglo-American sports carA direct contemporary and spiritual cousin to the CobraA highly collectible 1960s roadsterIts combination of rarity, V8 performance, Carroll Shelby heritage, and timeless styling has made the Tiger one of the standout sports cars of its era.In short: The 1965 Sunbeam Tiger was born from a simple but brilliant idea—put a Ford V8 into a lightweight British roadster. The result was a charismatic, fast, and highly collectible sports car that remains one of the most celebrated Anglo-American performance cars ever built.