New here and wanting to buy a Tiger

dstephns

dstephns

Gold forum user
CAT Member
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146
Hi everyone.
This is my first post and I have been looking for Sunbeam Tiger. While Algers can be great cars, I am looking for a tiger that is as close to being original or like original as possible i.e. if the car came with a 260 would still want a 260 etc. I have been in touch with a collector who happens to be selling his and he has been nice enough to send me some pics of certain areas of the car. Keep in mind that I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous and would like some of the Tiger brain trust to look at some pics and tell me if there would be any reason to pass on this car. I believe the seller is truthful and has been more than helpful. Unfortunately, the car is out of state and it would be difficult to actually go see the car. The vin is listed on rootes1 site which is good. The fuel pump has been swapped out but is located in the cubby behind the passenger seat. Because it has been modified I get concerned. May not be anything to worry about but that's why I'm asking you guys. The other area of concern is the boot. I see no vent tube or hole for the fuel pump. Again this may be because the original fuel pump has been changed out. What do you think. Here are the links to the pics. By the way it is a 1965 MK1.





 
I bent and installed a sheet metal shield and installed between my muffler and fuel pump on my 1A Served as a heat shield and would deplect any drips from dropping on the muffler.

Post more pics get more useful comments..........
 
It would be very helpful to post the vin number since someone here may know the Tiger. Also it would be helpful to know what your intended use
of the car will be ie driver or show car. Also post more pictures of the body
and engine bay. The most expensive part of restoring one of these cars is
repairing rust areas and repairing poorly done body work then paint....I spent more than $35k on these areas alone..then comes the mechanical restoration
etc etc. You also might let us know what the asking price is for feed back from the group.

Moondoggie
 
That is not the original style fuel pump but under that lid is the correct location for the pump for all Mk1 and Mk1a tigers. Going back to stock is not a difficult task. Hardest thing will be finding or making the metal bracket that the pump was mounted to.

The vent hole was probably bondoed over during the repaint.
 
Has the Car Been TAC Inspected?

If you want to make sure the car you buy rolled out of the Jensen factory as a Tiger and is not a re-bodied Alpine, see if the owner had the car TAC inspected. VIN number plates can be switched from a rusted out Tiger body to an Alpine body pretty easy. The fact that this car does have a door for fuel pump access is a good sign, but even these can be replicated on an Alpine. If the car was TAC inspected, there should be a decal installed under the dash, on the right hand side. A photo of this should be sufficient. To learn more this program, go to the STOA website (http://sunbeamtiger.org/) and click on TAC to get the details.

Some of the Forum members offer to go look at potential cars for folks, if the car is located close to them.

Good luck and happy hunting in your quest!

David
 
Thanks Guys! The vin B9471262lrxfe and JAL 560838. The car appears to be in pretty good shape. The person I may buy it from has had the car about 5 years and purchased it already restored. The owner has been very forthcoming sending me paperwork on some of things that he has done. I asked about the use of filler and also asked if he would take a magnet and check some of the areas that are prone to rust. Owning two triumphs (tr250 and a TR4A) I also understand that body work is probably the biggest wallet sink hole there can be on these cars. He is asking 58500 for it but I may try to dicker a little if I decide to go for it. there are a couple of areas that look like the bonnet or boot may have been misaligned and chipped the paint. Does not appear to be filler involved. Panels to me look reasonably straight. Here are some more pics. let me know if a go or no go. I would eventually like to try to get itTAC'd as I live right next door in Arizona if I decide to purchase it. Are the JAL plates riveted or screwed in? this one is screwed in.






 
HolyCat said:
If you want to make sure the car you buy rolled out of the Jensen factory as a Tiger and is not a re-bodied Alpine, see if the owner had the car TAC inspected. VIN number plates can be switched from a rusted out Tiger body to an Alpine body pretty easy. The fact that this car does have a door for fuel pump access is a good sign, but even these can be replicated on an Alpine. If the car was TAC inspected, there should be a decal installed under the dash, on the right hand side. A photo of this should be sufficient. To learn more this program, go to the STOA website (http://sunbeamtiger.org/) and click on TAC to get the details.

Some of the Forum members offer to go look at potential cars for folks, if the car is located close to them.

Good luck and happy hunting in your quest!

David
Click to expand...
I already asked that question. As the car is on the east coast. He told me it was very difficult to have the car certified as there are no qualified people to do the inspections. If I buy it I would more than likely bring over to California and try and setup a TAC certification at some point. My use will be local shows and events no real thrashing with big horsepower mods. Probably pretty tame to some of you guys.:D
 
ALGER ALERT!

Be sure someone who is VERY knowledgeable looks the car over before you send the first dollar as a deposit. Many areas bother me, and I have seen only a picture or two. Bill
 
TAC after purchase is a bad idea. Where on east coast? We have lots of smart Tiger guys on east coast.

DANGER!!!!! Engine compartment pic. The fender brace towers are not correct! Need a much better pic of both of them. Huge red flag. Sorry....$50K saved.
 
I would suggest you email Norm Miller (rootes1@earthlink.net) the car shows up in the book of norman but there is very little detail. Norm keeps useful
info on cars as they come up for sale so he might have some good info on this car.

The Jal plate is held on with screws, they would place the keys under the plate for shipping to dealers. It looks as if the vin plate was removed for painting which raises questions.....

With that little dinky fuel pump you won't have to worry about going to fast !!!

Moondoggie
 
Duke Mk1a said:
TAC after purchase is a bad idea. Where on east coast? We have lots of smart Tiger guys on east coast.

DANGER!!!!! Engine compartment pic. The fender brace towers are not correct! Need a much better pic of both of them. Huge red flag. Sorry....$50K saved.
Click to expand...

here are a couple of pics of the fender braces.

 
Yes There Are

dstephns said:
I already asked that question. As the car is on the east coast. He told me it was very difficult to have the car certified as there are no qualified people to do the inspections. If I buy it I would more than likely bring over to California and try and setup a TAC certification at some point. My use will be local shows and events no real thrashing with big horsepower mods. Probably pretty tame to some of you guys.:D
Click to expand...

While I am not an inspector myself, I do know that there recently was a class on the East Coast for would-be TAC inspectors. Don't know if any of them are located around your potential car.

And some of us do have fairly tame Tigers, especially if we are trying to keep our cars totally stock. There are all kinds of Tigers and all kinds of Tiger owners.
 
It's a very nice looking and presented something or other but it isn't a Tiger.

Does the seller know or not?
Is he trying to con you or not?
We may never know.

It looks like someone has payed too much at some point or other. Don't let that person be you.

Back away slowly and then run like Usain Bolt.

Is it just my poor eyesight or is that fuel pump bolted onto the leaf spring?

Anyway, that's another one for Norm's list.

I hope it is the seller doing the con because if it isn't, he's going to feel sick when he finds out.
 
TEAE ( Tiger East alpine East) are al;ways running TAC session, at their annual convention. This year United XXXIII is on September 11- 15 in Boyne falls Michigan

Hope this help

If someone need more info , please send a e-mail
 
Ditto Ditto

Duke Mk1a said:
TAC after purchase is a bad idea. Where on east coast? We have lots of smart Tiger guys on east coast.

DANGER!!!!! Engine compartment pic. The fender brace towers are not correct! Need a much better pic of both of them. Huge red flag. Sorry....$50K saved.
Click to expand...

I'm with Duke on this one. Red flag area in the engine compartment. Possible severe damage history, nose replacement with Alpine metal, but, those are not Tiger inner fender braces (hats). :confused:
 
i'd think at least heavy accident repair.. look at the front left (drivers side) fit of the bonnet..

The headlight rim on the drivers side is on at a very off angle.. wonder if damaged clips or mounting location?

The lack of holes in the boot (trunk) also rings bells.. the car is being offered at a high price... for that it would wan tto be real.. and not need sorting in terms of panel work. just my .02
 
That's no Tiger.
Where in the East is it? I live in South Carolina and go to a lot of shows on the East Coast and have never seen this car.
Eric
 
So Cal Sir?

Why leave the West Coast Mecca for cars that So. Cal is to go to the Rust Coast I mean East Coast?
I'd rather have that C4 car of Jerrolds than what looks to be a "Nice collection of parts." or any of the local cars that are available.
 
Thanks for the all the responses

Thanks guys! I am not going to purchase this Tiger. I believe the seller does not know. He sent me all of these pics and was very truthful as far as I know. I have more pics but these were the areas that concerned me and as I said I know very little about Tigers. By the way, I did email Norm Miller and he was kind enough to reply and he politely said walk away also. So I am very grateful for the help you and Norm gave me.
None of these cars are inexpensive and I definitely want a real one if I am going to spend my money. I'm also not saying that the one in question isn't a nice car, just not what I am looking for. So my search continues and I want to thank all of you who responded again. Im really happy I joined CAT and I don't even own one... yet:D!
Dave
 
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