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'67 BJ8 Barn Find - need opinions

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Hey Tim,
Guess I was trying to take into consideration how I felt after I found what I
thought was a good deal only to find out later it was not. Have a lot of
empathy for making those decisions. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think I would run, not walk away from this one. Just looks like too much wrong when
as everyone has mentioned, a lot of nicer cars out there with better bones
to start with. As Pete mentioned above, buy the best example you can afford !
Regards,
Mike
 
$3,000 max or walk away
 
Sheridan

OK let's make this interesting and maybe a little controversial. I would have to agree with Johnny and with Cutlass, and perhaps suggest that you walk away from this one. These cars can be heartbreakers to restore, especially if they've been sitting for so long. Agreed, they're beautiful to look at, and in our minds don't we always see these vehicle in their finished state? I'm still farting around with mine after 30 years, because life gets in the way, and spare time gets harder to find.

This may be sacriligeous (did I spell that right?), but if you want a good British sportscar that's easy to work on, comfortable, and still affordable, find a decent late 60s/early 70s MGB for one quarter the price you'll pay to get this Healey to "driver" status. You can enjoy it now, and you won't have to deal with a divorce lawyer in the bargain. I've had two, and regretted having sold them.

Having said that, if you do decide to take the Healey plunge, the Healey guys in this forum are all top notch, extremely knowledgeable and most helpful.

Good luck either way....
Cheers Dave (BT7, BJ8, TR6)
 
davidb said:
....This may be sacriligeous (did I spell that right?).....
Click to expand...

Here's taking it way off the deep end if it is just about having fun in a car for the money.....
replica Porsche

As much as I love the Austin Healey's, I think you guys have all but talked me off the ledge on this car. What is really bothering me is the fact that my belief is that this particular car will sit and continnue to rot away. I will probably be giving the owner a call on Sunday to let her know what I have learned and let her know that I probably won't be moving forward with it. Either way, I will post what I do.
 
If you are interested in parting the car out, that might give some satisfaction, and maybe a bit of profit. There are parts on that car you cannot get new. The front and rear shrouds come to mind. They are aluminum. Windshield frame is chrome plated brass, as are vent window frames. The engine block can't be found new. It would be interesting to take it down to its components, spend some time cleaning, and sell. If, during the process, you find that it's not as bad as you thought, then you can always change your mind. If you are industrioius enough, you can even start fixing the wings. I hear that new ones are very expensive, and don't fit anyway.
 
Cutlass said:
There are parts on that car you cannot get new. The front and rear shrouds come to mind. They are aluminum.
Click to expand...
Moss and a couple other places sell the shrouds new.


Cutlass said:
The engine block can't be found new.
Click to expand...
DMD in Australia makes aluminum blocks. They're sweet lookin' but a little pricey.
block.jpg
 
Hello GregW,

Not trying to hyjack the thread here, just passing on some info.

I see you found the DMD site.

It's no longer DMD but their products can be found on www.healeyfactory.com.au

Their alloy block can go out to 3860cc or 235 cu ins.

Bare block is 100lbs lighter than original iron one.

Best regards,

bundyrum.
 
Thanks Bundy, I hadn't noticed the Healey Factory link on the DMD site until you mentioned that. Interestingly, the Healey Factory's "Performance Parts" button and DMD's site are the same web address.
 
I know that Moss sells repair panels for the shrouds, but complete shrouds? They are described in catalog, but listed as N/A. Do they really sell complete shrouds?
 
You can get new shrouds from AH Spares in England. I would suspect that
Moss will be selling them over here sometime down the road as they resell
a lot of AH Spares parts under their part numbers.
 
Sheridan,

I think you would be wise not to offer much on that car. If you could get it for really cheap say $500.00 and part it out that wouldn't be bad but as far as restoring it you could find a better car. Looks like a money pit.

Bob
 
Cutlass said:
I know that Moss sells repair panels for the shrouds, but complete shrouds? They are described in catalog, but listed as N/A. Do they really sell complete shrouds?
Click to expand...
Hi Cutlass,
My apologies. It looks like they don't sell them anymore. I do have an old catalog of theirs that lists the front for about $3500 give or take depending on the model.
 
No problem. AH Spares does list new, complete shrouds for about 1800 pounds, or about $2700.00. With VAT and shipping to US, who knows what they would cost, and how well they would fit. I'll bet, however, that each of those shrouds on Sheridan's prospect,if in decent shape, could be sold for quite a bit.
 
Hello GregW,

The reason the two go to the same site is the guys at DMD sold the business to "The Healey Factory" in 2008.

Best regards,

bundyrum.
 
Do you have any idea what shipping would be to get one of those aluminium blocks stateside, even if it IS 100 pounds lighter?
 
Hello TOC,

I started a separate thread for the Alloy block.

Best regards,

bundyrum.
 
Just a wild thought! Does the engine turn over? If if did or could, might be a hoot just to put gas, oil etc& see if it fires off. Healeys are pretty tough, if got them running after setting many years. A chassis that runs, its still a Healey.I've run some up& down the street that weren't road worthy, but still a heck of alot of fun,IMO. cheers Genos2
 
Genos2 said:
Just a wild thought! Does the engine turn over? If if did or could, might be a hoot just to put gas, oil etc& see if it fires off. Healeys are pretty tough, if got them running after setting many years. A chassis that runs, its still a Healey.I've run some up& down the street that weren't road worthy, but still a heck of alot of fun,IMO. cheers Genos2
Click to expand...
-- heck ive run them around the country what wasnt safe!! :thumbsup:
 
You're just like the rest of us. You'll call her on Sunday and she'll let that thing go for peanuts just to get rid of it and you'll bite. We're all pathetically hung up on these beautiful machines and it's like a siren song we can't avoid. Good luck deciding what you're going to do with it when you bring it home on Monday.
 
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