1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I

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

The car will be fully service and MOTed ready for grand touring, exactly what they were made for.

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.

How the Tiger Was Born

The 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 Performance

The 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) V8

Approximately 164 horsepower

4-speed manual transmission

0–60 mph in around 8 seconds

Top speed approaching 120 mph

Those figures made the Tiger one of the quickest British sports cars available at the time.

What Made It Special

Unlike many sports cars of the era, the Tiger offered:

Reliable Ford V8 power

Strong torque throughout the rev range

Comfortable grand-touring capability

Distinctive British roadster styling

From 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 Connection

Although 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 Success

The 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 Production

The 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 models

About 600 Tiger Mk II models

These modest numbers contribute significantly to the car's collectability today.

Pop Culture Fame

The 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.

Legacy

Today, the 1965 Sunbeam Tiger is regarded as:

One of the most desirable Sunbeam models ever built

A classic Anglo-American sports car

A direct contemporary and spiritual cousin to the Cobra

A highly collectible 1960s roadster

Its 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.