I bought my first Tiger in 1975 in Washington State. It was a sweet red
1966 260 with a black hardtop and really well done fender flares. My only
complaint was that the PO had lowered the front of the car and it
occasionally grounded on entry to parking lots, etc. Like many, I didn't
realize what great condition it was in at the time and figured I could
always replace it later, so when my 2nd son came along the next year, I sold
it. I've since owned three more here in San Diego: A black 64 that was
probably the best sorted out Tiger I've ever driven, that I sold back to its
original builder here in San Diego last year; A red 67 Mk II that I sold to
a friend of its original restorer in Oregon who's coveted the car since it
was restored; and a fairly heavily modified 65 that is in my garage at the
present time. It has a 302 with 4 Webers, a Jag rear end, a GM tilt wheel
and steering column, a strange and complex electrical fuel system, gold-tone
wheels that I've not seen anywhere else and the ugliest brown paint and
brown and cream tuck and roll upholstery to be found anywhere in the 50
states. Oh yeah, and a truly ugly hood scoop and louver setup.
The 65 has an oil leak where the dip stick joins the block and a leaking
rear brake caliper whose incoming brake line is blocked off, courtesy of the
PO, but after I get Smitty to fix these problems, I'm planning to drive it a
while to see just what needs to be done to make it a first class ride. I
don't want a stock Tiger this time, so I figure the sky, and my imagination,
will be the limit. Pictures of the car were in one of the club newsletters,
STOA or CATS, a while back, maybe some of you saw it. Isn't the hood
something?
I did try really hard to find that red 66 Tiger up in Washington, but lost
the trail in the early 80's. I'd sure like to locate that sucker and make
someone a good offer. In any case, I hope its owners after me took good
care of it.
By the way, I'm 58 and still as car crazy as I ever was. I've owned 36
cars, 3 motorcycles and 4 boats as best I recollect at the moment. Among
the cars are the four Tigers, 1 Cobra, 3 Ferraris, 1 Bentley, 3 Mercedes, 2
Corvettes (including a 2003 Z06), 2 Spitfires (1 with a Buick Aluminum V8),
an MGA and an MGTF (both with American V8's), a Kaiser Army
deuce-and-a-half, an NSU Prinz (a 60's German car with a 2 cyl. Motorcycle
engine), and lots of other imports and American iron. A lot of other things
have come an gone--wives, hobbies, sports and such--but I don't ever seem to
get tired of buying cars.
One last thing. I'd like to thank all you guys who contribute so much to
the list and to the Tiger community. You're all great, and I for one,
really appreciate it! Please keep on doin' what you're doin'.
Greg Tibbetts
B9473603LRXFE
|