Newbie and possible Tiger purchase

T

Tigerdreamer

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Hello everyone -

This is my first post since joining and this will certainly be a fun one. I have owned classic (muscle) cars just about all of my driving life. Most of these cars have been in the form of some type of a Mustang. However, a number of years ago, for a brief time I owned a Tiger and I really enjoyed it and never forgot how thrilling of a ride it provided.

Well, I have now been given the opportunity to purchase another Tiger and I would like to solicit the thoughts of the more (much) experienced folks on this board. The car in question is a '66 Mark 1A. It is very much a project with rusted floor pans and trunk floor but the underside framework is in really nice shape. The car sat out with the top down for quite while and a heavy toll was taken. Now to the possibly interesting part. The car appears to have a 289 HiPo installed and one may guess that it was done very early on. Possibly, even at the dealership before the car was sold. It looks very original to the car and it is a 5 bolt block. No doubt, the car will be more desirable in my eyes (if not others) if I can verify where the engine originated.

By the way the VIN# is 382001483. Maybe it has been discussed here before?

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for me?

Thanks!
 
Tigerdreamer said:
Hello everyone -

This is my first post since joining and this will certainly be a fun one. I have owned classic (muscle) cars just about all of my driving life. Most of these cars have been in the form of some type of a Mustang. However, a number of years ago, for a brief time I owned a Tiger and I really enjoyed it and never forgot how thrilling of a ride it provided.

Well, I have now been given the opportunity to purchase another Tiger and I would like to solicit the thoughts of the more (much) experienced folks on this board. The car in question is a '66 Mark 1A. It is very much a project with rusted floor pans and trunk floor but the underside framework is in really nice shape. The car sat out with the top down for quite while and a heavy toll was taken. Now to the possibly interesting part. The car appears to have a 289 HiPo installed and one may guess that it was done very early on. Possibly, even at the dealership before the car was sold. It looks very original to the car and it is a 5 bolt block. No doubt, the car will be more desirable in my eyes (if not others) if I can verify where the engine originated.

By the way the VIN# is 382001483. Maybe it has been discussed here before?

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for me?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Welcome, I wouldn't put much into verification on the dealer installed 289 hipo. Rootes USA offered officially a 260 with updated lat parts at 245bhp, essentially their 260 hipo.

I have heard rumours of dealers installing 289's in period, sometimes post delivery sometimes at delivery,but short of having the paperwork you ain't going to prove it.

As for looking original to the car.... Assume that means it looks in the same state of disrepair as the rest... ?

Your real issue is how bad is the rust, what are things like the spring hangers like and do you have the metal skills or will you be paying someone else.

My .02
 
Whatcha wanna do with it

Rust is the primary culprit to deal with. Just ask any of our customers how fast and painful the man-hours add up. Unless you intend to simply patch it and drive it, that is. All else is nuts & bolts, followed by cosmetics as you want it. DO NOT expect to recover financially. It's a hole to pour in your time & money, but in the end, you've got a rare toy to play with . . . . . .:)
 
Might know the car

http://saleofcar.com/shelby-sunbeam-t/089303

I recall seeing the car on the SunbeamTigerparts.com site but didn't see the above listing.

There are several way to search history and a couple good places to look. Your car have just the one above and I'm sure the page that John had for the sale. Usually get hits to Norm's site and it's strange that it doesn't show.

https://sunbeamtigerparts.com/listing/1966-sunbeam-tiger-mk1a-real-289-hipo-motor-3/

The bright side is 19000 Series 4 and 5 Alpine out there. Sure it will cost blood sweat and tears and it may seem like you are spending a bunch. The right guidance is here and I'm sure John can lend some good advice too.
 
Congratulations and welcome. If you can do the rust repair it will save a ton of money. We just replaced the entire floor pan in a 65 Mustang from the taillight panel to the firewall. In a shop it would have been thousands, we did it for the cost of the part and a few bottles of gas for the welder...otherwise a lot of time but very fun. Good luck.
 
As previously stated, the HiPo 289 was never original to the Tiger, sorry. Although it's a great motor, you can get a lot more bang for your buck out of a standard 302 block with aluminum heads and updated internals, e.g. a stroker. Also, the early HiPo 289 with iron heads was 11.6:1 compression. Try finding gas for that puppy. Even the later Hipo 289 was 10.5:1. With modern aluminum heads you get much better heat dissipation and can run high compression ratios without the pinging or piston knock. Ex: In my Tiger I run a 331 stroker with 10:1 compression aluminum heads that puts out nearly 400 hp on regular 89 octane pump gas with no knocking whatsoever.

If you purchase the Tiger, I suggest you sell the engine to the HiPo 289 to the Mustang guys for big bucks, who want orginality, unless of course you want to go back to the original 260 in your Tiger.

As far as rust repair, Randy (Oneoffive) is correct. If you don't or can't do it yourself and you want it done right, hang on to your wallet. If you're a good mechanic, it may be worth it to purchase the Tiger and farm out the body and paint, but do all the rest yourself.

Mi dos centavos,

Spike
 
Thanks guys! I am processing all of this information and working to decide what I really want to do. The car is not for sale on the open market so time is kind of on my side. It is a rough car but the bones appear to be very solid and I like to engine that is in the car but I do realize there are other combinations out there that can develop a lot more power than this particular configuration.

A couple quick questions:

1. Are floor pans and trunk floors reproduced correctly or is a donor required?
2. Upholstery correctly reproduced or reproduced at all?
3. Other items that I need to consider?

Thanks again!
 
Wondering

Did you buy the car?

Donors and floor pans are around . Member areas include a White pages and the vendors section some in UK and other sources of parts and interior. It's all here already.

Plus one on the yank the motor and sell it to a Mustang guy.
 
I have not yet made a decision. It is something that I am continuing to mull over in my head. Sure is fun thinking about it.
 
And the decision is...

After much thought, I have jumped off head first. The commitment was made to purchase this car and plans are being made to begin working toward getting the car road worthy. I want to get it running and driving safely and actually attempt to enjoy the car some before jumping into a full bore restoration.

Beware - Many questions will probably be coming in the months ahead! :)
 
jumping off

Tigerdreamer said:
After much thought, I have jumped off head first. The commitment was made to purchase this car and plans are being made to begin working toward getting the car road worthy. I want to get it running and driving safely and actually attempt to enjoy the car some before jumping into a full bore restoration.

Beware - Many questions will probably be coming in the months ahead! :)
Click to expand...

I jumped off about 18 months ago with one just like yours except mine was in a garage for 25+ years so, I didn't have the rust issues. Like you I have had muscle cars all my life. These little buggers are in a league of their own. You are in the right place to get answers. Best of luck!
 
Congratulations on your purchase! I jumped in in June of 2014. I have enjoyed every minute of ownership. The members of this forum were a great help for me and I am sure they will be for you too. There is a lot to learn about Tigers but as others have stated depending on the degree of restoration be prepared to open your wallet wide unless you can do most of the work yourself. They are truly wonderful little cars.
Dave
 
Thanks guys! I am genuinely excited. The process of pulling the engine for a rebuild was started today. Should have the engine out sometime tomorrow. With the car on a lift, I was able to get a better look at it and was pleasantly surprised. No previous wrecks or bump ups, body good and straight with nice trim. Will need floor pans and fresh interior but the rest of the car is good. New paint job is also a given. More to come...
 
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