James,
Tigers are convertables, Removeable Hardtops are
rare. Both the rag top and the hard top can be on the car
at the same time, the rag top folded down. If this Tiger
setting outside, then check the floor boards to see if they
are rusted out. Tigers tend to leak even with hard tops.
Check the frame to see if it is rusted away ( if the Tiger
has been run on the beach or in northern salted roads
it could be a problem). Rust in the fender wells is normal
for a Tiger and can be repaired. Frames are hard to
repair. After setting 3 years or more you will need to
overhaul the brakes. they are probably froze up. Tigers
come with a power break booster. If it is bad, a repacment
unit or repair kit costs a lot. You probably can't get
a replacement exactly the same for any reasonable amount
of money. However; simply bypassing the power brake booster
with a simple splice fitting in the brake line will provide
manual brakes that work just fine. The motor should be a
260 Ford V8 unless the Tiger is a 67 or 68 model with a 289.
Note that some of the Tiger 260's used 289 blocks so don't
get confused if it is a 65 with what appears to be a 289
block. Any other motor is not original. There is a lot of
info about Tigers available and several places that sell
parts. Parts for anything but the motor is very dear to
the sellers. If you like to have a car that will cause
people in the next lane to comment favorably, and be able
to dust off a lot of cars today then go with the tiger.
Unless you have a lot of money, expect to do a lot of the
repair and maintenance work yourself.
As far as the Capri goes, I would recommend at least a
hot rodded 351 in it if you expect to run against a normal Tiger.
Jim Barrett Tiger II and others
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