AH 3000 BJ8 value and restoration?

[David_K]

My father and I are getting closer to buying a '65 AH 3000 BJ8. My question is how hard would it be to restore the car to a level of a Curt Tanner restored car? Could we take this car to Barret Jackson in a year or two and get 50k-75k for it? The car would be as original as possible, with correct exterior color and interior combinations. Are the high prices Curt gets out of reach for the individual unknown car restorer?

thanks!

 

[Editor_Reid]

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My father and I are getting closer to buying a '65 AH 3000 BJ8. My question is how hard would it be to restore the car to a level of a Curt Tanner restored car?

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Pretty much near-impossible if you don't know Healeys real well, and have the facilities and equipment and time and skills required.

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Could we take this car to Barret Jackson in a year or two and get 50k-75k for it?

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Possibly, but Barrett-Jackson turns away a lot of applications, and if you don't have a history with them and/or a reputation, your chances of getting the car accepted for auction would be very difficult to predict. If Barrett-Jackson were a big money-making machine for Healey owners (sellers), there'd be several hundred of them there every year, and then of course they wouldn't bring the big bucks anyway because the market would be flooded.

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The car would be as original as possible, with correct exterior color and interior combinations.

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The auction crowd is looking for cars that have had a total, documented, nut-and-bolt restoration by a "name" restorer. Everything else is merely a curiousity.

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Are the high prices Curt gets out of reach for the individual unknown car restorer?

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Pretty much. He's got the reputation.

 

[Keoke]

OK Editor Reid, I will buy that response too.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BlueRidge1]

Then after you figure your time and expenses you'll probably each make about $5.35 an hour!

 

[Editor_Reid]

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OK Editor Reid, I will buy that response too.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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I am SO relieved! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[David_K]

Forgot to mention that my father has 45 years of experience with British cars. I myself have 5 years. My dad has restored 4 MGBs himself and together we have restored 4 more. We have the workspace, tools, and the body and paint on the car are show quality already. The car is a stalled restoration project. The car needs to be reassembled. We have a good friend that has two show winning BJ8s that will help us with the restoration.

Does that change anything Reid? I lost my account here and had over 500 posts a few years ago. I have over 2500 posts on another british forum. I posted in the MG section so you wouldn't recognize my name. Thanks for breaking down my post and giving detailed answers.

 

[Editor_Reid]

[ QUOTE ]
Forgot to mention that my father has 45 years of experience with British cars. I myself have 5 years. My dad has restored 4 MGBs himself and together we have restored 4 more. We have the workspace, tools, and the body and paint on the car are show quality already. The car is a stalled restoration project. The car needs to be reassembled. We have a good friend that has two show winning BJ8s that will help us with the restoration.

Does that change anything Reid?

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Yes, but what it doesn't change are the intangibles and subjective aspects and things you can't control: Whether you can get your car accepted by the auction company, what day and time slot you get if accepted, whether the right bidders will be there, whether the car's color is what someone is looking for, if the bidders like your documentation and presentation, etc.

Then you have to ask yourself, Why am I doing this? If you are merely trying to make a killing by selling the car for much more than you would likely ever get in a private sale, you're taking a real gamble. You might win big; you might get killed (financially). There are many surer, safer ways of making money. If you seek the thrill and spectacle and suspense of selling a car at a big-time auction, and you're prepared for the stress and uncertainty that come along with that, you have found a possible venue for selling it... IF they will accept it at all. Entering a car in the B-J auction in Scottsdale is competitive and uncertain; you don't merely pay an entry fee.

 

[BlueRidge1]

I withdraw my smart -alic comment. Sometimes I can't help myself. Bob ...Can't spell either, Or is that neither...I'll shut up (for now)

 

[Editor_Reid]

[ QUOTE ]
I withdraw my smart -alic comment. Sometimes I can't help myself. Bob ...Can't spell either, Or is that neither...I'll shut up (for now)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm really glad you had this little talk... with yourself. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BlueRidge1]

Good one! I can take it!