-
Hi Guest!
You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
beginners question [first post!]
- Thread starter joeq
- Start date
Share this page
w. scott brunkhurst
Jedi Hopeful
Offline
Why do you want to know?
SB
SB
Offline
Joe,
Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy it.
The adjustable column was standard on a few early BN1 models, 1953. Not available on later BN1's & BN2's. It was an option on BN4, BN6. BN7, BT7. It was also optional on BJ7 & BJ8 although most had it.
D
Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy it.
The adjustable column was standard on a few early BN1 models, 1953. Not available on later BN1's & BN2's. It was an option on BN4, BN6. BN7, BT7. It was also optional on BJ7 & BJ8 although most had it.
D
i ask because i'm getting close to buying my first healey and legroom is a big issue. i sat in a bj8 and, with the steering wheel extended towards me, i fit fine. when it was "collapsed", it was kinda tight.
the bj8's are a little out of my budget, so i wanted to see if earlier and perhaps less expensive models were similiarly equipped.
any thoughts?
the bj8's are a little out of my budget, so i wanted to see if earlier and perhaps less expensive models were similiarly equipped.
any thoughts?
Patton
Jedi Warrior
Offline
My BN4 has the adjustable wheel.
One of the cars I looked at dd not have the adjustable wheel. It was suggested that the smaller diameter of the MotoLita or Derrington wheels (15" v 16.5") a big help as well. Figure ~$400 for a wheel plus the hub if you go that route. One of Mark Lempert's wheels is on my short list of things to buy after the paint is done.
Lempert Wheels
Good luck on your search for a car,
Patton
[ 05-04-2004: Message edited by: Patton ]</p>
One of the cars I looked at dd not have the adjustable wheel. It was suggested that the smaller diameter of the MotoLita or Derrington wheels (15" v 16.5") a big help as well. Figure ~$400 for a wheel plus the hub if you go that route. One of Mark Lempert's wheels is on my short list of things to buy after the paint is done.
Lempert Wheels
Good luck on your search for a car,
Patton
[ 05-04-2004: Message edited by: Patton ]</p>
Johnny
Darth Vader
Offline
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by joeq:
i'm a little confused – from reading some of these posts, it sounds like the telescopic steering column can be installed as an option on a number of different models?
so, how does one know which cars can take it and which ones can't?
thanks!<hr></blockquote>
Welcome to the forum. Since it was a factory option, of course any big Healey could be converted. However, the changeover would be extensive and expensive. On some models like my BN7 (two seater model) the dash chrome surround would have to be changed out, as well as the steering column (inner column, longer on an adjustable model.) All of this just to be able to acquire a little more leg room in my mind it wouldn't be worth it. My car came with the adjustable wheel but the new reproduction steering wheel doesn't work well enough to be of any use anyway. You have to use a pipe wrench to loosen/tighten it.
i'm a little confused – from reading some of these posts, it sounds like the telescopic steering column can be installed as an option on a number of different models?
so, how does one know which cars can take it and which ones can't?
thanks!<hr></blockquote>
Welcome to the forum. Since it was a factory option, of course any big Healey could be converted. However, the changeover would be extensive and expensive. On some models like my BN7 (two seater model) the dash chrome surround would have to be changed out, as well as the steering column (inner column, longer on an adjustable model.) All of this just to be able to acquire a little more leg room in my mind it wouldn't be worth it. My car came with the adjustable wheel but the new reproduction steering wheel doesn't work well enough to be of any use anyway. You have to use a pipe wrench to loosen/tighten it.
bighly
Jedi Knight
Offline
It was an option on most Big Healeys. So I suppose you could add this to almost any of the Big Healeys (non-bugeyes).
Dave was pretty specific in the actual model numbers.
As far as affordability, these cars are not getting any cheaper. If you look at how many of a p[articular model was prodeced, generally speaking the fewer produced the higher the price.
2 seaters go for more than 4 seaters. (well 3 seaters since the jumpseats really are not large enough for but youngsters and small dogs).
The following link might provide some great info on these wonderful cars:
BTW welcome
Big Healeys
Dave was pretty specific in the actual model numbers.
As far as affordability, these cars are not getting any cheaper. If you look at how many of a p[articular model was prodeced, generally speaking the fewer produced the higher the price.
2 seaters go for more than 4 seaters. (well 3 seaters since the jumpseats really are not large enough for but youngsters and small dogs).
The following link might provide some great info on these wonderful cars:
BTW welcome
Big Healeys
Offline
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by joeq:
i ask because i'm getting close to buying my first healey and legroom is a big issue. i sat in a bj8 and, with the steering wheel extended towards me, i fit fine. when it was "collapsed", it was kinda tight.
<hr></blockquote>
Interesting that you find things more comfortable with the wheel closer to you--I and most like it better with arms out as much as possible. A smaller-diameter steering wheel creates more knee-room and also imparts--at least to me--a feeling of quicker steering, if only because less time is spent moving hands around the wheel, etc.
As to which model, the differences between the roadsters and convertibles are substantial (not to mention four-cylinder cars versus sixes) and I would recommend your getting familiar with all Healeys before making a decision. The overview provided in the AHCUSA article is good, but the best general advice is to buy the best car that you can afford.
i ask because i'm getting close to buying my first healey and legroom is a big issue. i sat in a bj8 and, with the steering wheel extended towards me, i fit fine. when it was "collapsed", it was kinda tight.
<hr></blockquote>
Interesting that you find things more comfortable with the wheel closer to you--I and most like it better with arms out as much as possible. A smaller-diameter steering wheel creates more knee-room and also imparts--at least to me--a feeling of quicker steering, if only because less time is spent moving hands around the wheel, etc.
As to which model, the differences between the roadsters and convertibles are substantial (not to mention four-cylinder cars versus sixes) and I would recommend your getting familiar with all Healeys before making a decision. The overview provided in the AHCUSA article is good, but the best general advice is to buy the best car that you can afford.
yeah, it's weird. i sat in a bj8 yesterday and it was really tight around my knees. i extended it towards me and it was like i was in a diff car.
could you elaborate a little on the big differences between the roadsters and the convertibles? i'll check out the healey.org site too.
thanks.
could you elaborate a little on the big differences between the roadsters and the convertibles? i'll check out the healey.org site too.
thanks.
bighly
Jedi Knight
Offline
A roadster has a completley removable soft top. That is both the collapsable bows and everything can be removed from the car. It also does not have roll up windows but rather uses removable side curtians (lightweight aluminium window frames with sliding plexiglass windows).
Convertibles have the top attached to the car always anys and folds down in a manner most familiar to modern and recent open top cars. The convertables also have roll up up windows.
All BJ cars are convertibles, (starting in 1963 MK I).
Every thing else (pre 1963) is a roadster.
saavy?
Convertibles have the top attached to the car always anys and folds down in a manner most familiar to modern and recent open top cars. The convertables also have roll up up windows.
All BJ cars are convertibles, (starting in 1963 MK I).
Every thing else (pre 1963) is a roadster.
saavy?
John Loftus
Darth Vader
Offline
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by bighly:
OOPS That should read 1963 Mark III
<hr></blockquote>
Actually the first convertible model, the BJ7 (3000 Mark II) came out in January 1962 (this according to Clausager's book).
Cheers,
John
OOPS That should read 1963 Mark III
Actually the first convertible model, the BJ7 (3000 Mark II) came out in January 1962 (this according to Clausager's book).
Cheers,
John
tahoe healey
Yoda
Offline
Also remember that seats can be moved forward and back beyond the adjustment by moving the track locations. (Being carful not to move it so far back you cannot put down the back shelf) The adjustable steering is fun in a panic stop. It can move in. No problems, just supprise.
