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First post, Looking for info on AH 3000 purchase.

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Gearhead1818

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This is my first post in these forums and I am looking for some help. I have the opportunity to puchase a Healey 3000 mark 2. The owner has very little info on the car, that is why i came here. The car was restored about 20 years ago and then left in a barn. When I took a look at it, I noticed the door was cracked along the bottom. It turns out the entire body is fiberglass. The interior, drivetrain, and chassis is all Healey 3000. My first thought was a replica, but the everything else on the car is Healey. Can anyone help me find out more about this car? Thank you for any help!

-GH
 
There was a time when OEM metal panels were hard to find and fiberglass was used in the repair of British cars quite a bit.

My first reaction was to say stay away unless it is real cheap, but I will revise it to proceed with caution.

The fiberglass will detract from the value of the car--also indicates that the car may have had extensive rust. I would try to get under it, ideally on a lift.

When you say all fiberglass, everyhing, I would guess it is just fenders and doors, and the shroud and maybe the hood and trunk lid (top parts) are still metal.

If the chassis is sound and the shroud is good and you can use the fiberglass (cracked no less) as a bargaining point maybe you can pick it up and eventually go back to metal on the bolt on fenders and doors.

Proceed with caution, but the cost of getting into the Healey world is usually pretty steep, I was lucky to get in cheap with an amateur restoration that was stored for many years--did a running restoration eventually including paint and a motor rebuild, and enjoyed owning one of these special an unique cars throughout the process.
 
GH, run, don't walk, away from that car. There are too many restorable cars out there to bother with this one. I paid more for this car but it was worth it.
 

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If the engine is in the boot, it's a KIT car. They were made a long time ago. Run fast!
 
GH,
Take a look on Ebay and see what the various MkII's are going for. Compare that to the asking price of the fiberglass car.

Consider resale if you buy it. There are Healey kit cars, which don't have Healey running gear, then there are true Healeys. The car you're looking at is a hybrid.

I may be alone here, but I think most people who want a Healey, don't want fiberglass panels and would pass on buying it.

If you replace the fiberglass panels, you'll have a better chance of selling the car down the road, plus the cars value will be much higher. Do a little reseach on how much the steel and aluminum panels are. I have seen them on Ebay and you can purchase them new. Make sure your sitting down when you get the prices. Wouldn't want you to hit your head on anything on the way down, when your legs give out.

Good that you're boning up on this.
Best of luck,
Roger
 
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