1999 TIGER AVON Ref 8839 - Tiger Racing Tiger Kit Car - Huge Build Spec

The Tiger Avon is a celebrated British lightweight, open-top sports car, firmly rooted in the Lotus Seven tradition. Built by Tiger Racing, it's renowned for its stripped-back, driver-focused experience, offering exhilarating performance through a fantastic power-to-weight ratio. It appeals strongly to driving enthusiasts, track day participants, and those who appreciate the raw, analogue feel of a classic sports car combined with modern engineering, making it a distinctive and engaging presence on UK roads and circuits.

Why Buy a Used Tiger Avon?

• **Exceptional Value for Performance:** A used Tiger Avon offers incredible acceleration and handling capabilities for a fraction of the cost of many high-performance production cars.
• **Instant Driving Pleasure:** Unlike building a kit car from scratch, buying a used example means you can jump straight into enjoying the unique driving experience without the extensive build time.
• **Proven Build Quality:** Purchasing a pre-built Avon allows you to assess the quality of construction and the reliability of donor components, often benefiting from the previous owner's efforts and refinements.
• **Strong Community and Customisation:** The Tiger Avon has a dedicated enthusiast community, offering a wealth of knowledge and support, and the platform itself remains highly customisable for future upgrades or personalisation.

Typical Price Range

All prices are approximate and subject to change based on condition, mileage, specification, and market conditions.

• £6,000 – £9,000 (Older/Basic Builds): At this price point, you'll typically find earlier models, often powered by Ford Pinto or Zetec engines, which may require some cosmetic attention or minor mechanical refreshes.
• £9,000 – £14,000 (Well-Maintained Road/Track Builds): This range offers solid, well-cared-for examples, often with popular Ford Zetec or Duratec engines, featuring good build quality and a balance between road usability and track capability.
• £14,000 – £20,000+ (High-Spec/Bike-Engined/Professional Builds): Expect to find highly specified Avons here, possibly with potent motorcycle engines (e.g., Hayabusa, Fireblade), upgraded suspension, brakes, and often built to a professional standard for serious track work or fast road use.

Common Issues to Check

• **Build Quality Consistency:** As a kit car, build quality can vary significantly; inspect welds, panel fit, wiring loom neatness, and overall finish for signs of amateur work.
• **Donor Vehicle Component Wear:** Pay close attention to the condition of major components sourced from donor vehicles, such as the engine, gearbox, differential, and suspension bushes, for excessive wear or leaks.
• **Chassis and Suspension Rust:** While the chassis is often powder-coated, check for any stone chips, scrapes, or areas where rust could be forming, particularly on wishbones and exposed metalwork.
• **Brake Adequacy and Condition:** Ensure the braking system is appropriate for the car's performance and inspect discs, pads, and fluid lines for wear, corrosion, or leaks.
• **Electrical System Reliability:** Kit cars can sometimes suffer from electrical gremlins; check all lights, gauges, and accessories work correctly, and inspect wiring for neatness and proper insulation.

Running Costs

• Fuel Economy: Varies significantly by engine, but most petrol engines (e.g., Ford Zetec) typically achieve 25–35 mpg; highly tuned or bike-engined versions can be lower when driven hard.
• Insurance Group: Due to their performance nature and custom build, Tiger Avons fall into specialist insurance categories; expect high premiums if insured conventionally, but specialist policies can be more competitive.
• Servicing: Generally affordable for component parts, especially if based on common Ford engines; many owners undertake servicing themselves, or it can be done by specialist kit car garages.

Which Variant Should I Choose?

• Ford Zetec Powered: This is a popular and well-balanced choice, offering excellent reliability, readily available parts, and a great power-to-weight ratio for both road and track use.
• Bike-Engined (e.g., Hayabusa, Fireblade): For ultimate performance and a high-revving, exhilarating experience, a bike-engined Avon is unparalleled, though it demands a committed driver and is often more track-focused.
• Road-Biased Build: Look for models with a full windscreen, perhaps some form of rudimentary weather gear, and a slightly softer suspension setup if you intend to use it primarily on public roads.
• Track-Focused Build: These often feature full roll cages, bucket seats, harness belts, race-spec suspension, and uprated brakes, ideal for dedicated track day enthusiasts.

All listings on Carslink.ai are sourced directly from dealer stock feeds. Always verify listing details, prices, and vehicle condition directly with the seller before purchasing.