1965 Sunbeam Tiger | Classic Rally Car For Sale

When the Rootes Group was looking to give its four-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine more power, it followed a simple but proven path: fit an American V8 engine.

Ian Garrad was then working as the company’s West Coast Sales Manager in the US and established that Ford’s 4. 2-litre V8 should just about fit in the Alpine’s tight engine bay. A prototype was built by none other than Carroll Shelby – already famous as a successful racer and creator of the Cobra – and the Rootes Group was so impressed that it ordered 3000 engines from Ford and launched the Tiger at the 1964 New York Auto Show.

It remained in production until 1967 and was built in two basic versions: the Mark I was powered by Ford’s 4. 2-litre V8, while the Mark II was introduced in the final year of production and featured a 4. 7-litre engine. In total, just over 7000 of both types were assembled by Jensen in West Bromwich, with Shelby receiving a royalty on each car.

Rootes entered two lightweight racing Tigers for the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hours, and the model proved to be equally at home in rallying. Tigers filled the top three places on that year’s Geneva Rally, and Peter Harper took one to fourth overall on the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally.

The Sunbeam Tiger being offered for sale is a UK-delivered example that was first registered in April 1965 and still bears its original registration number: BFE 575C. Its logbook lists early owners as being Mrs Joan Lodge in Lincoln, Robert Homeshaw in London and Alan Beeks in Kidlington.

Having been fully restored in the early 2000s, the Tiger was acquired by a Northern Ireland-based enthusiast in 2006. It was prepared and maintained for him by model guru Jackie Cochrane of JC Restorations in County Armagh, who persuaded the owner to have a 4. 7-litre Pete Knight engine fitted. A subsequent dyno read-out showing that it produced a muscular 320bhp.

Further rally preparation included the fitment of a full roll cage, underbody protection, an alloy radiator and a 72-litre fuel tank. Between 2006 and 2021, the owner entered the Tiger for events all over Europe, including the Rally of the Tests, Rally de Portugal, Three Castles, Classic Marathon and HERO-ERA’s 2019 London to Lisboa.

Along the way, it was resprayed in 2016, and three years later it was treated to new coils, master cylinders, starter motor and clutch – as well as new Tony Law manifolds.

More recently, it was acquired by a new owner – a keen competitor in both pre- and post-war cars. During the summer of 2025, he entrusted the Tiger to historic-preparation specialist Tula Racing for new harnesses and servicing, and entered the car for that year’s Sierra Nevada Classic.

This well-sorted and superbly maintained Sunbeam Tiger comes with a hardtop plus a full complement of Brantz timing equipment, Cobra Sports seats, Full Harness seat belts, co-driver aids and is a highly competitive historic rally car that’s eligible for a wide range of events.

The car is currently with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, the RPS storage facility and available for inspection.

All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.

All enquiries please contact us on using the button below or telephone +44(0)the details below