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Checklist? 3000 Mark III Phase II

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noutlaw

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Hello -

So I'm finally considering buying a Healey - after many years and many discussions with others. My "dream car" - however I want to make sure my dream doesn't become a "nightmare"...

Without taking the entire car apart /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif any suggestions on specific things to look for? or key areas of concern..

besides rust, floorboards, alignment, electrical shorts, leaks, etc...

Any wisdom you could provide would be great. (I'm looking @ restored cars)
 
noutlaw, if you are looking at "restored cars" they should not reflect the usual problems.However, I would be very concerned about "WHO" the restorer was and what his creditability in the Healey comunity is.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
No matter what, the car is old, expect problems and missing details. Few, if any Healeys are "Perfect".

OK, he has lots of pictures of Healeys he has restored.
Does he have pictures of the restoration for the one you are looking at?
If no, why not???

Check the rear suspension. IMHO it is the last thing anybody touches. I have seen otherwise beatuiful cars that had AWFUL rear suspension componets. This isn't necessarily a show stopper, but it will indicate the type of care taken to restore the car.

Do the numbers match(engine, transmission, body)? Does he have a BMIHT certificate?

Was the engine rebuilt?

Does the car have "scuttle shake" at 40 to 60 MPH?

Look at this guys shop in general. Is he detail oriented? If not, how many details did he miss when he rebuilt the car?

If you are looking at a "High dollar" car (North of 40K) Hire an apraiser. Even if it is not, have a fellow club member look at the car with you. Both National clubs exist to help fellow Healey people. This is the most important Healey decision you'll probably ever make. Enlist fellow club members. 97% of the Healey people I know would drive their car over for you to compare and examine as a reference. I think you are in Colorado; I'm guessing you have not seen this car in person. I would recommend you go see it. Check the club listing for the area the car is in and call some people there. I'm sure you'll find more than one that would look at the car with you.
 
Any one else on the forum heard of this restoration group.??I can recall a lister sometime ago from the PA area sending his car to Canada to have the frame fixed.Maybe he did not know about this group?--I do not have a clue either.---Keoke
 
I've heard of them. Fellow named Knut Holzer. His name is around, but not sure of the quality or details. I've seen numerous listing from him on ebay under the name healeysbyknut. From what I recall, he knows his Healeys but has different level restorations, some being pretty far off the mark.
 
Ok, I don't mean to make a big splash with this, and hesitate to say it, but the first picture I looked at on the site was a white BJ8 with red interior. The door arm rests are red. According to what I just read on the Healey List this should be black. (The dash pad and top of doors are all black no matter what the overall interior color). Now, I think it looks good and all that, but if it is a high dollar restoration the interior color should be right. I don't know if the car was/is being touted as a "gold concours restoration" or not, but does make me question. Therefore, I would myself look closer if I were considering purchasing a restoration by this shop.
 
I am the guy from Pa that sent my car to canada for the frame rebuild - and just got it back today.
i would recommend that noutlaw request that the restoration shop give him at least 3 referneces to check. I would also look at the gaps around the doors, see if there is frame sag. The big $'s in the rstoration are in the frame and shrouds - the fenders, floor pans etc are more easily repairable.
 
Guys - thanks for all the information. I have a British specialty car shop checking out the car and have called an appraiser familiar with healey's to meet me to discuss the car in NJ. There's no way I'd buy a car w/o looking at it. Good point on the backend. The serial #'s match on this car - although I don't know if it has a certificate (which I'll check on).

As far as the restorer goes I have checked a couple of references on Knut - they are all very good. He does have some concourse winning vehicles, etc. to his credit.

Thanks for all the info.
 
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