One of the best things about Classic cars is the sheer breadth and types of cars that have been produced. In particular, the UK has maintained a cottage industry that is not only fuelled by passion and engineering expertise but also by motorsport. This is where the ERA Tiger comes in.
ERA as a marque is part of the British motor racing folk law, with a distinguished pedigree in postwar motor racing, it evokes a boys-own type emotion for those who recall the style of Formula One races during that golden period. Heritage will always be an important aspect of Motorsports and the car that we present to you is a fascinating combination of modern engineering with the look and feel of another era.
The Tiger Era 30 is deeply rooted in the design of the Lotus 23, a car that dominated the early ‘60s racing scene in the hands of the legendary Jim Clark. Tiger have been producing cars for over 30 years, and own the rights to the ERA racing cars. The company offers 10 distinct racing models for the track day market but are also legally registered for public roads, ranging from a single-seater to a tribute to the Lotus 6.
This car was bought by two friends as a joint retirement present in 2007 and bought brand new straight from the factory, they chose the Tiger ERA as it's a professionally built car with the intention of being used as a road registered vehicle with occasional track day use. The build has been fully documented by the manufactures, with a series of photo progression not unlike a Meccano set of instructions.
Following the car's delivery, in May 2007, it has been subject to regular services almost every year. The most recent full service was at the beginning of 2020 with renewal of the rear brake callipers and hoses. There is also a video and data of a rolling road test carried out in 2016.
Importantly for a car of this calibre, the car has not been competitively raced in its time with the current owners, it simply has been used on sporadic track days. It is on the market due to a combination of health reasons and relocation storage issues.
As to be expected for a car that has been owned by the same owners since its build, it comes with a stack of paperwork. The car has only covered around 3000 miles (and most of those have been on the queen's highway) so it's a given that the owners diligent use of the car, as well as records covering the additional modifications and care of duty, means that you’re buying a car that is as good as new. That's not an understatement, and there is something comforting in stating that evidence for a car capable of high speeds.
The V5 states that it has two owners, much to the owner's chagrin, but Tiger cars as common with low volume production vehicles tend to register their cars in this fashion. It was not a demo car or used as a track day car prior to the owner taking charge of it, as can be testified by the build photos, in which they had an active input of the cars final specification. The car has always been maintained by a race engineer over its 13 years, with detailed invoices in the documentation file. The car has also just passed a MOT which expires mid-August 2021, and all past MOT's will be included as well.
The cabin is wonderfully spartan - and you may note the lack of bucket seats. The owner's original thinking was that modern bucket seats were not originally seen on cars from this era, so a more authentic solution was deployed. The purpose of buckets is obviously to hold the driver in place, so a division has been built alongside the centre which acts as a wedge for the drivers. The driver’s seat is adjustable and will accommodate a person with different height and weight percentiles – the owners are 6’ and 6’4”. There is also similar space-saving deployment by removing the gearbox gate - but this will be sold with the car.
The Lightweight GRP with carbon is finished off with an attractive deep paint finish with the iconic Lotus colours. The split rim Superlight 15” wheels help balance the aesthetics nicely and could pass as a historic racer to the untrained eye. With its heritage and ‘re-imagination’ (I hate to use that word but it is appropriate here) to the Lotus 23, it offers a little bit of regression and evokes the heyday of Motorsports.
The paintwork is immaculate, with small evidence of scuffing here and there, but this is an appliance for the track, not a Concours winner - but it has not needed any rebuilds and major repair work. The tyres have plenty of life in them, and all the boring stuff like lights, indicators and number plates are all good to go for the blast on the dual carriageway.
The car features many aspects that a potential buyer would like to hear, such as polyurethane bushes, brake balance bar, a highly sophisticated suspension set up, to allow for toe in/toe out, camber, adjustable dampers and ride height. The lightweight powder-coated tube space frame is a work of art - it almost seems a shame to cover it up!
The magic words that also make the Tiger ERA something of unique driving experience are Mid. Engine. Layout. Those three words are motor racing personified - think Lola, think BRM, think Lotus. The Tiger ERA 30 was built with a new standard Ford Zetec 1.8-litre Twin cam engine, with twin ’45 weber carbs with an ALPHA Ignition Management System. The engine is mated up to a right-hand change 5-speed Hewland gearbox - that alone should mark out its credentials. The Hewland itself is worthy of a feature, as a legendary name in the field of race-bred gearboxes, with current applications ranging for a 2-seater light aircraft to Formula-E cars. The MK9 used on the car is an expensive piece of kit costing around 9K, and allows the owner to change the ratios at will.
In terms of performance it has been tested on a dyno with around 140bhp at the wheels, so a car weighing around 500kg offers a genuinely unique driving experience. With a car like this, you need to have confidence that it will stop you safely too, so it's encouraging to hear that it has rear and front disc brakes. The car mechanically is mostly standard according to the factory spec, with the notable exception of the bespoke Tech-craft motorsport exhaust. Again, we could easily craft some sentences about the sheer knowledge and skill that has gone into producing this item. It replaced the original due to track day noise regulations and has reduced it to 92dB.
The owners are keen to point out how reliable the car has been too, that’s no doubt due to its regular servicing. It has also passed an SVA.
There is something primal about the track day experience, the back-to-basic grass roots fundamentals of being one with your car in a controlled and safe environment. If something was to go wrong, you have marshalls, first aiders as well as the benefit of being with a multiple of other drivers to help. The fact that you can also legally drive the Tiger ERA back and forth to meets, offers a huge advantage in reducing the need for a trailer set up.
The Tiger ERA stands out from the crowd of low-cost type Super Seven cars, which are proven to be very effective and a great way to enjoy the sport, yet the Tiger with its hand-built quality, genuine motorsports heritage, and classic engine layout is a far more interesting alternative.
The rawness and functional design is also a huge appeal - let's make this clear if you’re looking to buy a track day car, your motivations are directed by suspension tolerances, entering apexes at the right angle and improving your reflex times, not keeping dry or cup holders. Expect to be able to reach 100mph in around 10 seconds.
The car is also backed up by an intimate relationship with the manufacturer, as a low-volume concern, they know each car and will be the best people to help offer advice. The current owners, who are genuine car fans will also be very receptive to answer questions and to offer advice - you’re in good hands with this one - why take the risk on a homemade kit car with an uncertain history when you could be investing in this fully documented little rocket?
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sales of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
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2007 Tiger ERA 30
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