BJ7 vs. BJ8

[joeq]

i found a webpage that sums up the differences between the two (https://www.classic-british-cars.com/austin-healey-for-sale.html)... seems like, aside from the wood dash, the differences aren't enormous. is this page missing anything particularly significant?

thanks again – this is a great board!

 

[Bruce Bowker]

If you are serious about buying a Healey you should consider getting one or more of some of the better books. Or maybe a good library has them. I have found that reading these books from cover to cover a few times really gives you an insight of the cars, what to expect, what to look for and what the differences in models and years are. Well worth the investment before buying any older car.

 

[joeq]

yep - i've been doing both. got my nose buried in one now.

 

[Bruce Bowker]

Saw in your one post that you have to figure out where to keep your car. My first new "old" car, the white E type came from Manhatten. Always garaged but boy I don't envy paying those rates or driving in the city. Hope you find a good safe place.

 

[joeq]

it's absolutely nuts – a guy i know from the neighborhood owns a garage and he just raised his prices (again!) to $600 a month... $800 for oversized cars! and that's before the 18.25% parking tax!

 

[joeq]

the book i'm reading (haynes great cars: austin healey) mentions that, with the bj8's, the "ground clearance problem was finally addressed"... but it doesn't say how much of an issue it was previously. if i get the bj7, am i going to be constantly scraping metal on rough roads? is there a workaround?

thanks.

 

[Bob Claffie]

The change from BJ7 to BJ8 included some suspension changes ala the rubber bumper MG. The ride height was raised (I believe at the USofA's request) to get the headlights up higher. More "big brother" involved in the automotive field. Older Healeys ground clearance not a problem, provided you don't drive stupidly. Now you know why their tailpipes slant up rather than come straight out,(clearance).Bob

 

[catfood]

You also need to make sure your springs are in good nick. I hand the front and rear of mine rebuilt a few years ago and ended up with another inch of ground clearance even after it had all settled. Urban legend says that you suspensions OK if you can stand a (UK size) cigarette packet on its end under the lowest part of the suspension! As I don't smoke I've never tested that one!

 

[John Loftus]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by joeq:
aside from the wood dash, the differences aren't enormous. is this page missing anything particularly significant?<hr></blockquote>

The interiors are quite different with the BJ7 seats, dash, instruments, tunnel area being of the older Healey style. The BJ8 has a wood dash, new instrument control layout, Ambla trim and center console. This new interior treatment is considered to be more refined, a sort of Jaguar style. Some prefer the old look, some prefer the new. The BJ8 motor has a hotter cam and larger carbs giving it more horsepower .. 148(BJ8) vs. 131(BJ7).

The frame was changed on the BJ8 to allow more travel at the rear. The BJ7 has 4" of deflection rated for the springs while the BJ8 has 5.5". The downside of the increased rear travel is a larger gap between the rear tire and wheel opening that is not as nice visually.

Another change is the BJ7 had a power brake booster as an option .. on the BJ8 this is standard.

Those are the major differences ... best to look at them in person to see what you gravitate too.

Cheers,
John