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Austin Healey Abbott drop head coupe

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drambuie

drambuie

Jedi Warrior
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I was poking around EBay and spotted a Austin Healey Abbott Drop head coupe..all aluminum body. I never have seen one of these before! Very cool project car I think!
 
I haven't seen the EBay item, but that would be a Healey Abbott. Pre Austin-Healey, coachwork by Abbott and Riley powered.
 
I almost bought one of these a few years back off Ebay . It was a total project car , no where near as good as the one now on Ebay . The only thing that held me back was at the time the Canadian dollar was 65 cents to the US dollar so it just wasnt possible .
Beautiful elegant car , suicide doors , only 77 ever built so a real find and well worth restoring .This one looks awesome very complete and ready to restore . No room in my garage now with 3 Healeys and her Z4 Coupe .....
mmmmmmmm........................Maybe I should build that 3rd garage ????:encouragement::encouragement:
 
Did you take a look at the rear view of the car...I really like the tail light layout. I really would love to stuff this specimen into my other garage stall since it's so complete and very solid all the way around...I think this would be a straight forward restoration given the great overall solid condition. I'm mulling this one over!
 
85people currently watching this car, out of interest or as potential purchasers, me thinks bystanders. Although it looks to be in sound condition it, I believe the purchase price will be the cheapest part of the journey, trim, especially the hood and sealing rubbers on a one off drop-head coupe will be mouth watering expensive, throw in paint and chrome and the bank account will be drained pretty quick. Then mechanicals with virtually no off the shelf spares even wrenching the spanners yourself will continue the drain.
So what will you have once invested a lot of time and money, a car that perhaps people will see as slightly eccentric, even oddball, reasonable but not outstanding performance and a design that many would consider to be not that pleasing to the eye (compare to a contemporary Jag XK 120 drop-head coupe.
So it is rare, only 77 where made, why, because only 77 people wanted one when new, rarity does does always add to a cars value.
Just saying!
 
It does look very complete . Im pretty sure they were built like Morgans with a wood frame under that aluminium body so there maybe some extensive woodworking to do once you strip it . If I didnt have the 3 Healeys and plans for an Aston Martin it would be sold by now and in my garage .
Its a piece of automotive history and well worth restoring .
 
The price they are asking is high if you research it but heres what it should look like .
Now tell me that isnt as nice as a XK
 
Yes, these first Healeys were not big sellers but they are a very important part of Healey history. They drew enough attention to ally Nash and Healey to create the mechanically similar Nash-Healey. That car was the cash cow that financed the development of the beloved and more memorable Austin Healeys.

Beauty is subjective, but I find this particular variant of the Healey quite attractive. Price doesn't seem that bad either. Most barn finds are overpriced when you look at what is involved with professional restoration. But this one looks very complete and quite free of corrosion. Coachbuilt cars are hand made so much of the small stuff can be recreated if necessary.

I for one would love to have this car. I don't have the money, time, or space for such a project. I think it will sell from this listing....
 
Hyman had one of these for sale a few years ago, not perfect but ready to go for (the old if I remember correctly) only $30-$40K. These are really cool cars but unfortunately not worth a whole lot. One would be way underwater on this anywhere near what the seller wants for it

Somebody with a passion for these cars and not interested in return needs to buy it...and those are the best people in this hobby of ours.

Later,
Wally
 
WaltCasten said:
Hyman had one of these for sale a few years ago, not perfect but ready to go for (the old if I remember correctly) only $30-$40K. These are really cool cars but unfortunately not worth a whole lot. One would be way underwater on this anywhere near what the seller wants for it

Somebody with a passion for these cars and not interested in return needs to buy it...and those are the best people in this hobby of ours.

Later,
Wally
Click to expand...
A couple were recently sold at auction, as seen in Sports Car Market, and confirms that the restoration would likely be double their current value. A LOT of cars are on the march up the value ladder, but they're cars with a wider audience.

Best hope is to find one that's usable as is, and make improvements (in condition, not specification) as needed to keep it presentable and road worthy. Let someone else__motivated by passion__take the monetary hit.
 
I have been doing a little research into parts availability and also pricing current cars like this in restored condition, I am not afraid of the restoration process, but the cost affective aspect. Personally, I look at vintage cars as a passion and investment endeavor. And I'm sure the dealer who has this Healey Abbott has determined that it would be most cost affective to simply sell as is and jack up the selling price to flip for a quick profit. Sometimes, my passion overrides the cost and investment aspect, but on this one I decided pass! One of the cars that would defiantly override my common sense is a BMW 507.... Oh, if I could only stumble across one of those little gems!
 
This car sold at Coys Ascot sale May 14, 2011 for 7500 pounds. A google search will show a photo of how the Abbott looked at that time. The seller has listed this car on ebay previously.
 
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