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Howdy all:
I just checked the results of the Gooding auction at Pebble Beach last weekend, and a BJ8 went for $74,800. While not the most that a Healey has brought in at recent auctions, I think this is particularly noteworthy because I got to see the car up close and personal, and I can give my impressions as someone who has helped to restore a BJ8 and as someone who lives with and regularly drives a BT7. Also, having grown up in a household where the family business is restoring antique cars (indeed, we were at Pebble Beach because a car my father restored was in the concours, and won an award), I feel rather qualified to evaluate the quality of a restoration. With that in mind, here goes!
First of all, the car was an Old English White Phase 1 BJ8 with a red interior. Overall, a very pretty car, especially to me, since I favor the low rear end and early door handles of the Phase 1 cars. In any event, I would rate the car a 7 out of 10. Here were the issues with the car that detracted from it. First and foremost, the fit of the body panels was, in all honesty, simply poor. Now, for those of you who have read my posts on the subject of fit and finish on English roadsters, I realize that these cars were hand built and panel fitting could be inconsistent. However, for a restored car, this was really abysmal, even to the casual observer. The edges of the front shroud extended above the fender beading by almost a centimeter in most places, especially as it approached the windscreen. This was actually the worst fit on a shroud I had ever seen on a Big Healey. The other issue is that while the interior was generally fine, the carpet was comparable to the JC Whitney carpet that the prior owner installed on our TR-250. Again, this was so obvious that it struck me (and several others looking at the car) the moment I peered into the interior.
I do not mean to denigrate the car. It was, overall, a pretty car. Aside from the terrible shroud fit, and the fact that you'd have to pull the fenders to fix it (at a minimum), I'd have been happy to drive around in it. I realize that Healey prices have climbed in recent years, but this is a car that most of us looking for a comparable car would have purchased from the pages of Hemmings for no more than $40,000.
Anyway, just thought that I'd share our impressions having seen the car. Now, the 100M that sold for $77,000 was drop dead gorgeous. Every square inch was perfect. More than I would or could spend, but really lovely!
Auctions are interesting things!
Best,
B.
I just checked the results of the Gooding auction at Pebble Beach last weekend, and a BJ8 went for $74,800. While not the most that a Healey has brought in at recent auctions, I think this is particularly noteworthy because I got to see the car up close and personal, and I can give my impressions as someone who has helped to restore a BJ8 and as someone who lives with and regularly drives a BT7. Also, having grown up in a household where the family business is restoring antique cars (indeed, we were at Pebble Beach because a car my father restored was in the concours, and won an award), I feel rather qualified to evaluate the quality of a restoration. With that in mind, here goes!
First of all, the car was an Old English White Phase 1 BJ8 with a red interior. Overall, a very pretty car, especially to me, since I favor the low rear end and early door handles of the Phase 1 cars. In any event, I would rate the car a 7 out of 10. Here were the issues with the car that detracted from it. First and foremost, the fit of the body panels was, in all honesty, simply poor. Now, for those of you who have read my posts on the subject of fit and finish on English roadsters, I realize that these cars were hand built and panel fitting could be inconsistent. However, for a restored car, this was really abysmal, even to the casual observer. The edges of the front shroud extended above the fender beading by almost a centimeter in most places, especially as it approached the windscreen. This was actually the worst fit on a shroud I had ever seen on a Big Healey. The other issue is that while the interior was generally fine, the carpet was comparable to the JC Whitney carpet that the prior owner installed on our TR-250. Again, this was so obvious that it struck me (and several others looking at the car) the moment I peered into the interior.
I do not mean to denigrate the car. It was, overall, a pretty car. Aside from the terrible shroud fit, and the fact that you'd have to pull the fenders to fix it (at a minimum), I'd have been happy to drive around in it. I realize that Healey prices have climbed in recent years, but this is a car that most of us looking for a comparable car would have purchased from the pages of Hemmings for no more than $40,000.
Anyway, just thought that I'd share our impressions having seen the car. Now, the 100M that sold for $77,000 was drop dead gorgeous. Every square inch was perfect. More than I would or could spend, but really lovely!
Auctions are interesting things!
Best,
B.
