AH 3000 Trying to find the right look

[Healey_Z]

New to the site. I am a car guy, most my cars have been 60's Ford; cobra replica, 1966 GT350 clone were my last two cars before this one. I picked this car out of the SF bay area, where it was kept under a tarp. Most anything that could rust or pit did so. The car is very solid with only a touch of rust in the trunk area. I think part of the reason for this was the fact everything was completely covered in oil. The car is unique in some ways (more on that later).

I have a good eye for 60s' muscle cars. I have a good feel for what looks good and what doesn't. I've tried a few looks on this car so far and haven't been too satisfied with them. I like to keep things period correct and any modifications tide to a theme. This leads me to my question today and desired input. I am going for a street sporty/ralley car look on the car. I am playing with fog lights and mirrors (all bolted on items that can be changed).

The car is at the paint shop as we speak (it looks better than it really is) and I have around 3 weeks to determine color. Right now I am inclined to go all red. What would look good on this car to fit my "theme"?

 

[BlueRidge1]

Of course it's all just a matter of personal preference but I think it would look AWESOME black with red coves and maybe some mini light wheels and some bullet mirrors. Some have used the bumper over riders from a sprite or maybe it was an MG on the rear for bumpers ,I think that looks sporty. Red interior would look good on a black car.
JMO
Bob G

 

[dougie]

Hello and welcome to the BCF -

If you would like to keep it historically correct as a BMC Rally/DHM Production GT racer your color choices are limited to: Colorado Red # RD.3, Healey Blue
(Ice BlueMetallic) # BU.2, and British Racing Green # GN.25. There are a couple more rare additions like 1957 100-SIX Mille Miglia entry Pacific Green # GN.9 with Florida Green # GN.1 inserts and the 1960 MKI "CAN-AM" car which is Old English White. In the end do what makes you happen and looks good to you.

I kept my '57 100-SIX MM vintage racer in it's original Florida green color with OEW hardtop because I was so drawn to the combination 5-years before I actually bought it. BTY, if you've looking to change to a Mini-lite style aluminum wheel check with Hap Waldrop at Acme Speed Shop (he advertises here on the forum), he carries the Superlite Spline drive wheels I have.

 

[HealeyPassion]

Healey_Z, Welcome to the site. Of course there are a lot of good looks for Healeys. One of the looks I'm particularly passionate about is the works rally look. Link to AH Works Rally Tribute

But, it's hard to go wrong with a Healey.

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com

 

[TimK]

I obviously like all red:

It is your car and you have to choose and live with the choice, of course. To my knowledge, the competition/rally cars were typically monotone, red with a white hardtop was frequently used, but green and Healey blue also were popular. There were a few examples I know of that had white coves.

 

[Johnny]

Welcome to the Forum Healey_Z. How about all Old English White, with a hardtop of course, with the wide red Chevron stripes going from the top of the front fenders angled towards the front then under the hood. Hard to describe but I've seen some late model Corvette's with those.

Or maybe this:

 

[John Turney]

I'm into the green rally option:

Since mine is a BN4, I'm allowed to be green (although it's not Pacific Green over Florida Green) since the only factory rally BN4 was green.

The rear bumper is replaced by Sprite bumperettes:

which I think looks great.

The one thing that you may have difficulty reproducing is the factory hardtop, which I understand is even harder to find for your model.

 

[HealeyPassion]

Johnny, now that's a very interesting piece of machinery!! Please tell us more about it... custom aluminum body, AH engine?, etc...

By the by, I have the strips you described on my white C5 Vette... red strips on the front fenders on white car.. I like the look. Link to pictures of C5 .... scroll down to Vette pictures.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Johnny]

Sorry for the teaser guys, I really don't remember where I got these photos. I've had them on my computer for a number of years. I tried a search on google for alloy AH's and came up empty. Maybe someone else is familiar with the car.

 

[glemon]

The Healey has really nice lines and looks good in many colors, red is always good, I like the two tone it has now, the BRG car shown above with the bumperettes is a nice example of a period "go fast" look.

There used to be a cool wibsite that allowed you to look at an image of the Helaey model with the various colors offered, I don't think it is maintianed anumore but might be archived and still on the web somewhere.

Found it, love that site:

https://www.austinhealey.com/big.html

 

[HealeyRick]

Hey Ken,

In my mind, the ultimate BJ7s were the Sebring cars like 56 FAC:

See more pics here: https://www.fourintune.com/images/56-FAC/index.htm

The tough part will be finding a hardtop, although they are available here:

https://www.nicalengineering.co.uk/austin_parts.html (not cheap)

 

[Jim_Newman]

Welcome Healey-z. You're gonna get a lot of different opinions on this question. Here is one of my favorite "looks". In red with white coves, the sporty/rally look includes the front wing vents, the modified grill and other Works mods. I have also put some vents in the bonnet. The modestly flared fenders/wings give it a bit of a "muscle car" look. The inner laced spokes on the rear wheels look good and provides a wider stance at the back end.
Of course if you are going to "talk the talk", you too might want to add high compression pistons, a mild race cam, triple DCOE carbs, upgraded brakes and suspension, etc.
Have fun with this project and welcome to the world of Austin Healeys
Cheers

 

[Healey_Z]

Thank you for the replies. All great looking cars. I'm considering keeping a two tone, however I don't like the the way the paint follows the lip on the fender before the front wheel. I'm not sure how it will look painting over the lip, but I asked the painter to tape it off to check how it will look. What do you think?

 

[John Turney]

My opinion (FWIW) is that I prefer the main color following the lip.

 

[HealeyPassion]

In the FWIW cat., for me, one of the really slick design features on the big Healey is the character line that follows the front wheel curve... and, for two tone cars, the paint needs to follow that line. On 4 cyl. AH's with the straight character line, the straight paint line works. It's a matter of continuity in body lines and paint. Again, this is all personal preference so do what works for you.

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com

 

[Legal Bill]

Thank you for the replies. All great looking cars. I'm considering keeping a two tone, however I don't like the the way the paint follows the lip on the fender before the front wheel. I'm not sure how it will look painting over the lip, but I asked the painter to tape it off to check how it will look. What do you think?


Please allow me to advise you against this.

If I was walking down the street and saw this, I'd think it looks like you had your car painted by someone who didn't know what he was doing because he painted over the character line. That, in turn, would lead me to think that the rest of the car is probably screwed up because whoever restored it didn't even know not to paint over the character line.

I think even folks who don't know Healeys will see the character line and wonder why you painted over it. It looks like it is there for the sole purpose of providing a break point for a two tone car. Painting over the character line is like painting over the lines in a coloring book.

 

[Healey_Z]

Although I am one to color outside the lines, I respect and appreciate the honest feedback. The nice thing is that it was done without any degrading remarks, which I was somewhat expecting. It shows the character of the people in the forum.

I have been a 60's Ford guy, the last two cars were a FFR 427 Cobra replica and a 66 Mustang fastback. I picked this car up from under a tarp and I'm really looking forward to getting it finished. I know little about the Healeys, but have been reading all I can.

A little fact; Ford made more mustangs in one month in 1966 than all of the Austin Healey 3000's ever made.

 

[Legal Bill]

How do you like the FFR Cobra? Their factory is about 50 miles away from me. I keep thinking about getting one of their kits and installing a 4 cylinder motor with a turbo...seriously.

 

[Healey_Z]

Bill,

I've been through the FFR facility twice and I live in CA. The Smith brothers are car guys first and business people second. Their products are very well engineered and they revolutionized the kit car industry in terms of affordability and quality. People have put all sorts of power plants in the FFR. Here is a thread with a 127 responses in it regarding putting a 4 cylinder in a FFR.

4 cyl FFR link

 

[Legal Bill]

Thanks for that. I've been there twice myself, but the trip was not that heroic. I too have met the Smith brothers and first met Dave (I think) while they were in litigation with Shelby. They are nice guys.