1965 Sunbeam Tiger

A rare, V8 powered British roadster engineered by Carroll Shelby. The 'Midnight Blue' finish displays a consistent hue with good coverage. It has a pleasing lustre and is generally free of swirl marks. There are a few surface blemishes across the car, with some mild spidering on some panels and minor orange peel texture on the sides: but nothing that detracts from the overall presentation. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint. The exterior presents well, displaying flush panel alignment and uniform shut lines. The bodywork is entirely free of dents. Aside from minor signs of age on the wheel arch lips and a small under-paint blemish on the passenger door, the metalwork is in excellent condition. All doors operate without obstruction. The structural underpinnings, including the chassis rails, floor pan, boot floor, engine bay, suspension mounts and wheel wells, are remarkably solid, showing only mild wear and being thoroughly protected by a coat of corrosion inhibitor. We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves. The dashboard padding is in good condition, while the wood veneer shows mild signs of age and a few small fractures, but it is generally in keeping with a well-kept cabin. The switches, controls and dials are all in good order, and every item is reported to function exactly as it should. The door cards, headlining and surrounding trim are similarly well preserved. The small-block Ford V8 pulls well during the test drive with a smooth, linear power delivery and plenty of flexible torque. The engine accelerates with no knocks or jerkiness, and we did not note any unwanted noises from the engine or transmission during our drive. The V8 thrum and its fast cruising ability lend themselves to a powerful grand touring car rather than an agile racer, which suits the exhilarating acceleration and civil road manners. The car rides evenly and is free of any mechanical noises. The steering was demonstrated to operate without fault and is completely free of any pulling when braking or accelerating. The oil pressure was around 75 PSI when starting and dropped down to a perfectly acceptable 60 PSI once the engine warmed up. Chris has not really used the car since buying it, and we noticed the engine temperature was reading high during the drive. Since then, Chris topped up the coolant and test-drove the car during the recent hot spell. The good news is he reported that the temperature gauge remained perfectly centred with no signs of overheating. Chris captured this on video, which we have now included in the Mechanical Review video at 5min in. The glass presents cleanly. The windscreen seal does show some typical signs of age. All lights, lenses and trim pieces remain in good condition, are correct for the model, and are securely mounted. The chromework is in great shape throughout, while the bumpers look smart and fit well against the body, with minor signs of age noted on the front one. The 13” Minilite-style alloys present well: they show mild surface marks but are all free of significant road wear. The front and rear of the car are fitted with Goodyear Eagle tyres, showing a spec of 185/70 - these show a three-digit DOT code, meaning they are over 25 years old. They all have even tread. Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old. The seats are in good shape with supportive cushioning, and the carpets are clean and free of damp. Both the upholstery and the carpets were refurbished in 2021 and have been well preserved since. The engine starts up with no hesitation and idles evenly with no misfires or undulations. All dashboard warning lights remain off, and there is no unwanted smoke from the exhaust. The engine presents well with no significant signs of age. The hoses and ancillaries are in decent condition, and it features an electronic fuel pump. The gearbox has a good, slick action with decent shifts, and there are no reports of problems with the clutch. We didn't test all the electrics during our visit but Chris told us everything was working as far as he knew. The hardtop has a good fit and is in decent shape with no significant marks. We did not venture into removing it. Believed to have been first registered in Somerset in August 1965, the car originally left the factory with a red finish. It appears to have been re-registered in 1985 by the DVLA, picking up its current number plate on the way. The early buff log books confirm the same chassis and engine number. The documents also state that the car had eight owners up to 1976, when it was obtained by an owner who kept the car for at least 35 years. Since the early 2010s, the car has seen minimal mileage, having only covered around 2,000 miles. Recent spending includes a new starter motor in 2025, with an additional £7,000 worth of spending since 2020. This includes a service, new carpets, and electrical, mechanical, & engine work in 2021 at a cost of £3,300. Amongst the file of provenance, there are MOT certificates back to 1986, a certificate of authenticity issued by the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Association, and several historic V5s. The car was last serviced in 2021, having covered around 1,000 miles since then. Its current MOT expires at the end of May 2026, though the car is exempt from both Road Tax and MOT requirements. We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check. We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. The suspension deals with the road surface with no outstanding issues, and it remains compliant and free of knocks or noises. The car brakes evenly with no negative feedback or unwanted judders. The rear drums were rebuilt in 2021. The steering wheel and gear lever reflect the positive presentation of the interior.