I am evaluating for purchase a '65 Series I and looking for advice from you
sage and worldly experts. While I have restored a TR4a and a Mustang
convertible, I have no experience with Sunbeams other than briefly owning
an Alpine in the '70s (that should date me). The current (2nd) owner has
had this car since 1970, and it looks to be almost completely original.
Briefly, the car is in running condition, 87K miles, hardtop and new soft
top, with a few desirable LAT options (wheels, valve covers), confirmed VIN
as a real Tiger, but is in need of a total restoration. I am in Virginia,
so the car has rust. Mostly, it is confined to the frame rails with the
exhaust passages (a fairly common area, one would think) and the bottoms of
the rear quarter panels. These I think can be dealt with without breaking
my budget. However, my biggest concern is in the trunk area. It is
difficult to describe, but there is a 3 inch square of rust on both sides
of upper rear spare tire well where the boxed in section of the rear leaf
spring mounting attaches to the body outside the trunk. Is this a
'deal-killer'? Has anyone repaired this area, and if so could you be so
kind to share the how's and how much's? I have searched the Web and found
a site offering frame repair sections ( Rob Martel), but have not been
able to locate body sheet metal. Does anyone offer patch panels for
Tigers? Other than obvious resources available to novices such as myself
(The Book of Norman), does anyone have any advice/caveats/ recipes for
disaster to relate? Lastly, I hesitate to ask for it is impossible to
judge without seeing this car, but would you consider $7k a reasonable
price for a 99% original (including window sticker) Series I needing full
restoration? (In other words, if I don't buy this car will I be kicking
myself in 3 years?!?!?)
advTHANKSance
James C. Thomas
(804) 828-9954 jcthomas@vcu.edu
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