Jondecmag@aol.com wrote:
Hello Steve: I'm looking to purchase a Tiger. Really don't know much about
cars and mechanical, but the Tiger always one of my favorites. Could you please
tell me about how much these cars sell for and where is the best place to
purchase one. Thank you, John Caruso
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John,
I have sent this message on to the Tiger List, which I hope you have
joined, as the experts read the messages - and may offer more, or even
different, opinions than mine. The more sides you hear, the more
educated you can become.
I have no idea what your budget, or needs are. You can buy a replica of
a Tiger, made from a $300 and up Alpine, which is NOT a Tiger. You can
buy the same car sold as if it were a Tiger, which is fraud and illegal,
for $10,000 - $30,000, depending upon what kind of wool they pull over
your eyes.
Tiger basket cases start a about $6,000, and a good restoration with
original equipment might run you $30,000.
My best recommendation is to decide if you really want a Tiger, or just
something that looks like it might be. Then you have to decide how
sound the vehicle is. Eastern cars are almost always shot through with
rust, and have either been patched, "Bondoed", or had Alpine pieces
welded on. Do not misinterpret this comment, as there ARE good cars
back east, but they are few, and far between, and cost what they are
worth. The majority of the imports to the US, however, went to
California, and the weather is benign - at least to the south and away
from the ocean. You must also decide if you want the original
transmission/engine, a tuned, stroked, cammed, hot rod engine, or even a
5.0 liter new block with hot equipment or even fuel injection. Depends
on your reason for buying the car.
My BEST recommendation is to ONLY buy a car that was first sold in
California, and has spent a pampered life here. Except in limited
areas, rust is not a cancerous issue. I would insist on the car either
having a TAC certificate, or getting one as a condition of sale. This
will NOT validate it's condition, only that it is really a Tiger. I
would have a knowledgeable mechanic check the whole thing out. There
are a number of them in Northern and Southern California. If you want a
quick $100 walk around, you can go anywhere, and get what you paid for.
The car, if it has a history as a winning race car, or the rare Shelby
or Miles prototypes are going to cost, and there is ONLY 1 of each.
There is ONE real Harrington Tiger coupe. 2 of these cars are/were
recently offered - but the Shelby is in his museum.
There are minor differences between the Mk I and Mk IA, which could be
important to you. The Mark II, last production version, was made in a
very limited 500 car run, and is probably the best the factory rolled
out. Expect to pay more for this 289 stock version.
It is easier to find and appraise a diamond to your specifications, than
a Tiger - as there are so many more of them - and the criteria have long
been set for grading.
A lot of cars on eBay are forgeries, as are many at even the larger
auction houses. Let the Buyer Beware, the thieves are thick where the
money flies.
Good luck, and read some of the books currently available on the Tiger
history. Watch the Tiger Mail List, read TigersUnited.com, and don't
walk under ladders.
Steve
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Steve Laifman
Editor - TigersUnited.com
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