Scope:

This document summarizes the basic elements of STOA administration necessary to support the Tiger Authentication Committee (hereafter referred to as TAC), and outlines the standard procedure required for the examination of vehicles offered for authentication.

Only those individuals that successfully complete the TAC training program shall be eligible for consideration as credentialed inspectors. Application for TAC training may be submitted in writing to the TAC Chairman. TAC staffing requirements shall be reviewed at least once annually, and determined and satisfied by an internal vote of TAC. New applicants will be accepted on the basis of these requirements. STOA and TAC reserve the right to accept or reject any individual for training or inspector status.

TAC may elect certain candidates to the position of Senior Inspector. The basis for this election shall be the demonstrated technical knowledge and experience of these individuals, and their commitment to the long-term continuation of this unique program.

An identification card or Certificate of Qualification shall be assigned only to those individuals that pass both written and verbal examinations, demonstrating the ability of that inspector to recognize factory methodology and workmanship as opposed to methodology which may have been used to subsequently repair, alter, modify or otherwise change the basic structure and identity of the vehicle.

The Certificate of Qualification is issued by TAC and signed by the STOA President. These cards shall be serialized and that serial number must be applied to all archival TAC documents signed by that inspector.

Release of Liability: This document is completed in duplicate and signed by every applicant for authentication, prior to any examination of the vehicle. It contains a brief synopsis of the authentication process, and provides a comprehensive statement of liability release for STOA and the TAC inspectors conducting the examination.

Fact Sheet: This is the hardcopy archival document used to record all information related to the issuance of a Certificate of Authenticity. As soon as practical, this data shall also be transferred to STOA's Authentication Database. This electronic archive shall be maintained by the TAC Chairman, or a designated administrator. All completed documentation relating to the TAC program shall be held by the TAC Chairman indefinitely. All inquires for information related to this program shall be made (or referred) to the TAC Chairman for an official STOA/TAC response. 

Certificate of Authenticity: This document is an 8 1/2" X 11" transferable paper affidavit which describes an authenticated Tiger using VIN, JAL #, etc. It is issued by TAC to designate that a particular vehicle has been examined by a minimum of three qualified TAC inspectors, and they have separately and together agreed that the automobile being examined is certifiable as a Sunbeam Tiger (as produced on the Sunbeam/Jensen assembly lines). The document is signed by the three inspectors and is serialized to match the Authentication Label (described below). The document is embossed using the STOA Seal and presented to the applicant for the authenticated vehicle. 

Authentication Label: A printed label serialized to match the Certificate of Authenticity (described above), which is applied to an authenticated Tiger by a TAC inspector. The label is manufactured of a tamperproof material which either reveals the word "VOID" numerous times across the surface if it has been removed or transferred, or which can not be physically removed intact. The location for the label is the triangular area under the dashboard on the main structural box, between the windshield wiper motor and the right side panel structure.

The Release of Liability shall be signed, and a copy given to the to the applicant for the prospective vehicle. One of the TAC inspectors will provide a brief description of the authentication process, pointing out that unanimous agreement on the part of all three inspectors is required before authentication will be granted.

Once the Release of Liability is signed, the authentication process may proceed. Three TAC inspectors (one of whom must be a Senior Inspector) shall examine the vehicle. The inspectors will be identified on the Fact Sheet. The inspectors shall examine as many elements of factory methodology as they feel are sufficient to reach a conclusion about the authenticity of the vehicle.

If a Certificate of Authenticity cannot be awarded, the partially completed Fact Sheet may be returned to the applicant upon request. An inability to authenticate does not, by itself, imply that the vehicle is not a factory produced Tiger, since sufficient factory methodology may not exist to make a qualified determination. It is also important to make clear that the purpose of STOA's authentication service is to compile a list of factory produced Tigers, not to seek out those vehicles which cannot be authenticated. A generalized explanation of the reasons for not authenticating the vehicle will be given to the applicant by the Senior Inspector, but no specific technical details which would link that explanation to elements found on the vehicle shall be revealed.

TAC inspectors may request any necessary preparations allowing unobstructed installation of the Authentication Label be made to the vehicle. If necessary, the mounting area shall be cleaned before affixing the Authentication Label using a high volatility solvent to remove any grease, dirt, oil, or other material which would degrade it's bond. The Certificate of Authenticity will be filled out and signed by the reviewing inspectors, including their Certificate of Qualification serial numbers. The Certificate of Authenticity shall be embossed with the STOA Seal, completing the authentication process. All recorded information shall be forwarded to the TAC Chairman for appropriate archival care.

All TAC materials shall be carefully controlled to prevent damage, loss, or disclosure. TAC will establish a written security agreement which each prospective trainee will agree to prior to training. Any photographic documentation, drawings, illustrations, or written descriptions of features used in authentication are to be kept under secure control. These documents are only to be shown to trainees or inspectors at official TAC training sessions. This material is NEVER to be shown, or disseminated to any person or organization outside of TAC. The custodianship of authentication forms and materials and any confidential documentation related to the program shall be held by the TAC Chairman, or the TAC Chairman's personally designated alternate(s). TAC inspectors are not to discuss the authentication criteria out-loud in public, or in any situation where they could be overheard by anyone outside of TAC, except at committee meetings or training sessions. TAC inspectors are not to discuss the authentication criteria with anyone who is not a TAC trainee or inspector.

The policy of STOA, as an organization, shall be to publish or release only the identification of Tigers which have been authenticated. Any inquires and questions regarding STOA's knowledge of any particular vehicle will be forwarded to the TAC Chairman for an official club response.