Newbie Needs Advice

M

Mike Armstrong

Bronze forum user
Messages
16
Hello everyone, first time poster here.

I'm a former British car owner (Austin Healey) living in San Diego (Carlsbad) that would like to be a Sunbeam owner. Back in my early twenty's (I'm 53 now) I enjoyed the constant toyling with engine, transmission, brakes, Lucas electrics, balancing downdrafts and trying to see out plastic sliding side windows in the rain because my seemingly miniature windshield 'scrapers' rarely worked. Back then there was only one other British sports car I wanted but couldn't afford to spend a whole $2500:eek: for it, a Sunbeam Tiger.

Now, all these years later, I'm again infatuated about owning one. I have remained a 'do it yourselfer' home mechanic and I like to get my hands dirty in my shop. I would much prefer a basket case barn find to a fresh resto. But, I'm also a realist. It's not the 70's and a real Tiger nowadays is out of my reach, again:(. I believe my only chance of owning a Tiger is to be lucky enough to find one that hasn't been advertised yet (seems there's a million guys like myself constantly looking for one) that the owner just wants it's rusty hulk hauled off his property (for under $10 grand ofcoarse :D). But after many months of looking in peoples driveways, garages, backyards and alleys, scouring the internet and classifieds, I know a 'barn find' is unrealistic.

I love the Tigers beautiful looks and that v8 under the hood. The pictures on this website alone drive me crazy. So what does a guy like me, one of many in the same situation, do?

Alger? I'm new here and I apologize if the mention of that among this group of Tiger owners doesn't go over well but I'm honestly looking for help. A 'fake' Tiger would not be my first choice but looks wise, without advertising them as being what they aren't, they are still beautiful sports cars. I know there are kits, parts and tons of advice available on how to convert an Alpine to an Alger, it's been done so many times over the years. But realistically, even if I did all or most of the work myself, isn't that just as expensive as buying and reviving a dead Tiger? I don't know.

I'm sure this type of post has been made many times in the past (actually, I looked quit a few pages back but didn't come across any), a hopeless Tiger owner wannabee like myself looking for advice. Perhaps some of you were in my shoes at one time? I would really appreciate any advice you can offer. What would you suggest I do?

1) Forget it kid, you'll never own a real Tiger.
2) Keep looking and just hope you eventually find a sub $10k dead Tiger.
3) Convert a dead Alpine to an Alger.
4) Look for an Alger project that needs completion.
5) Wrong website buddy, go here _____ .

Thanks in advance.


Mike
 
in order......2,3,4,1,5.
Keep looking, if you don't mind doing somre work you will find a fixer upper in your price range. Good luck.
 
What to say... finding a sub 10K Tiger is goign to fall into 3 classes..

1. A solid car that is worth more but the owner is unaware/wants to move it fast.

2. A car that will need a heck of a lot of work to restore but if you have time/skill can be done but will ikely be a major undertaking of bodywork or parts finding.

3. A car that is esentialy a donor car.. you can rebody it and make an alger.. but that is what you will have. In theory it's probably cheaper to buy someone elses alger conversion than source a ratted tiger and decent alpine and do it yourself.

The Tiger market is hard to gauge.. there are some suprisingly good cars that go at lower prices and vice versa.. keep eyes open and ask around.
 
Thanks guys.

I don't know what the average age on this forum is but I can almost bet that most guys in their 50's, like myself, or older, grew up turning wrenches and smelling like oil, usually thanks to our Dads and a want/need to sup up our H.S. cars. I'm happy to have had that experience. When I mentioned that I had replaced the head gasket on my Nieces Volvo to the guys at work they had a look of shock on their faces. Most of them, being in their 20's, couldn't fathom doing such a 'complicated':rolleyes: job that they wouldn't blink an eye over paying an expensive mechanic to do.

You never quit lose that liking for working on cars and all things mechanical for that matter. When I picture a torn down engine, parts all over the place and primered body panels it brings a smile to my face, a chance to relive the past doing something I loved.
 
Lots to choose from

There is an Alger on epay now and there was a really cool TR 6 that had a V8 conversion. I also saw a website that was specialty for V8 convtd. English ones. I have a line on a great Alpine V shell in San Diego County that would be a great toy with a addition of a Nissan or a entry to the Darkside as the Alpine owners club say of those who have V6 transplants.

One of the few things I wish was different is the conv. top takes too long to get up and down. But since it never rains in So. Cal. it has not bothered me much.
 
Hi Warren.

I used to love TR6's. Sure dont see'em around like you used to and I can't imagine a V8 in one! I read about the 'dark side' V6 Jose conversions, that's a possibility although I love small V8's, even the smaller 260. I'll check out E-bay. Thanks
 
Hi Mike, and welcome to the forum.

You seem to have a pretty realistic perspective on the situation. It will be a challenge to find a Tiger in your price range that doesn't require tons of work. You sound a lot like me, in that mechanical repairs, even quite complex ones, are doable. I don't recall you saying anything about rust repair or bodywork. But these skills are likely needed, if you pay less than $10k for a Tiger, and don't want to go bankrupt paying someone else to fix it.

My story is similar to yours. I bought a rebodied Tiger (I detest the name Alger) 20 years ago, in "nearly running" condition, for a lot more than $2500. Turns out "nearly running" was a fantasy for this particular car (long story - I have a blog for that). The work level and cost rapidly spiralled out of my comfort zone, so the car has largely sat for the duration. There have been times when I would have parted with my car for considerably less than $10k, due to a "slump", for various reasons. Recently, I've decided to forge ahead with getting my car running, and wouldn't part with it for that amount, despite it not being a "real" Tiger.

The key to finding your ideal is to come across an owner who is in the middle of a slump. Not a likely confluence of events. But not impossible, either.

The next best thing, would be to find an Alger <shiver> that was well done and tweak it to suit you. Same looks. Same fun. Less money.

Good luck.
John.
 
Thanks John.

I can't honestly say I've done any rust repair and have little bodywork experience but I'd like to think I'm good enough with my hands to acquire this skills if needed (and I'm sure they will be).

I can live with a rebodied Tiger. My Healey wasn't totally original. I realized there were three paths I could take with it. Leave it as is, spend allot of money to restore it to original or since it's already modified , continue to just make it my own. I chose the last and really enjoyed the freedom that gave me to keep it's great original exterior looks but update it mechanically without gilt. I'm sure some of you guys watch the same shows as I do, Chasing Classic Cars (I actually sent an e-mail to Wayne Carini telling what a great show he has and my quest for a own classic), Mecum Auctions and Barrett Jackson. My favorite cars on those shows are the unmolested, dirty, as is, original barn finds. A dream find for many of us I'm sure.

My experience with British cars and my friends with the experienced the same was that you had to be mechanically inclined to own one because you were seemingly repairing them on a regular bases. Thats one thing that I liked about the Tiger back then and now, it at least had Ford running gear and that alone was going to make living with it easier here in the States.

I'm sure there are a few never ending 'project' cars out there that the owner has become disinterested in or can no longer afford. That would be ideal as long as they were intent on doing things right and hadn't hacked up the project too much. Resources like the folks here are in my opinion invaluable and much appreciated.
 
Does anyone know if the Sunbeam Owners Group of San Diego is still around? The e-mail I sent them got returned as 'undeliverable'.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/sogsd/

Also, there seems to be a large contingent of Modified Alpine owners over at the SAOCA Forums. I'm going to enquire over there about what all is involved with V6/V8 conversions.
 
Mike,

The V6 conversio is quite straight forward with Jose's kit.. small tunnel mod, you can go to ford 8" rear or use the stock alpine one with hardened keys. There is a little parts hunting, certina sumps, covers etc... but is a well worn path.

Doing a V8 is MUCH more involved.
 
I have seen Capri V6's and also Mazda rotaries in Alpines, both very cool conversions.
 
cobrakidz said:
I have seen Capri V6's and also Mazda rotaries in Alpines, both very cool conversions.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Definitely the same in looks, but just not the 'same' as I'm sure Tiger owners would agree. A 'real' Tiger would be my preference but reality says a conversion is most likely where I'll end up and thats not so bad actually. Not that I'm settling for an inferior car. From reading Modified Alpine forums it appears many of those guys would argue that a modern drivetrain, brakes, steering, ect actually improves apon the original vehicle, I can see that, but I can also appreciate the purists view on that.

Sunbeam owners seem to be a good group of guys. I'm enjoying the interaction on the net, now I need to met some of you guys. Next Sunbeam gathering there is I'll make it a point to be there.
 
CAT meeting

Hi Mike, our next meeting will be at Cars and Coffee in Irvine on July 21st. It starts early so we will park there until around 8:30 and then get breakfast someplace locally and have the meeting. After that Rick is planning some sort of canyon drive.

regards
Bob J.
 
venice532 said:
Hi Mike, our next meeting will be at Cars and Coffee in Irvine on July 21st. It starts early so we will park there until around 8:30 and then get breakfast someplace locally and have the meeting. After that Rick is planning some sort of canyon drive.

regards
Bob J.
Click to expand...

Thank you Bob. I will try to be there. I've been wanting to go to C&C Irvine since seeing it on Chasing Classic Cars awhile back. I noticed the other day there's another C&C in SD at Kearney Villa that I'll have to check out too.

Mike
 
Hi Mike: Warren and I have recently bought real and inexpensive Tigers. They are out there. Warren did better than I but we are both happy with the cars we own at a fraction of what you see others selling for. Don't give up on a real tiger. They are out there if you have the time to wait. My car recently got a real $300 hardtop so you can even find the expensive parts if you are patient too. Lee
 
Hood

There is a Tiger in my hood, rough as a cobb as my dad would have said. I am working the guy but if I fail I will steer him to the forum.
I almost went down to the Fallbrook show. Go to the Irvine meet or the next autocross. You can even sit and ride shotgun over the track as the guys are great and love to get others hooked on tail, Tiger tail that is.
 
Thanks guys, I appreciate the encouragement.

No hurries, there's nothing like having the real thing, though I am looking into what all it takes and costs to do a conversion just in case it comes down to that.

I look forward to meeting you guys and I'd take that ride offer in a second!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top