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...critical to the value of the car...
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The subject of "value" and loss thereof comes up quite often. For some cars it may get complicated but I don't think that's the case with Jensen Healeys. Face it; they just don't cost much in the first place. The wrong shade of silver might take $25,000 off the "value" of some pre-war Mercedes. There ain't nothin' that can take $25,000 off the "value" of a $5,000 Jensen Healey.
Jensen Healeys are found as, drivers, projects, racecars, part-outs and occasionally modifieds. There are no trailer queens, no show cars, no 100pt. concours winners. Sure, some people show their cars but they drive them to the shows. They have no status, no name recognition, no glamour. That's why they're cheap. Nobody's going to see a Jensen Healey on the lawn at Pebble Beach in my lifetime (unless Carl the groundskeeper uses one to chase gophers).
They are remembered neither for their celebrity status nor their historical connection to some romantic bygone age (by and large the 70's were pretty lame). Jensen Healeys are loved for their character. They are loved because they are fast, responsive, attractive, traditional and mostly they're just plain fun to drive.
Jensen Healey owners don't live in a world of point deductions and what is valued most is the car's feel and emotional impact. Deviations from originality are generally accepted, sometimes even welcomed, as long as they don't detract from the car's spirit. Many changes are improvements and will increase a given car's selling price if done with quality craftsmanship. Most are bolt-on and can be easily returned to original if so desired.
Here are a bunch of things that come to mind:
Mods that don't decrease Jensen Healey values:
non-standard (but tasteful) paint colors
wide tires
cassette or CD players
custom steering wheels
missing cam belt shrouds
K&N air filters
Mods that may increase Jensen Healey values:
canvas tops
custom wheels
real wood interior accents
leather upholstery
European spec carbs
stroker cranks
forged pistons
half moon cam belts/pulleys
braided hydraulic lines
sway bars
electronic ignition
Original things that are undesirable:
(the dreaded) plastic fuel tees
two row radiator cores
paper cam cover gaskets
PC.
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