From TR6 to a Big Healey

[Guest]

Hey guys,
Over the last three years I have completed a body-on-frame complete restoration of my TR6 and am very pleased with the results. This is my fourth TR in 30 years. The car is, as all of them have been, a driver. I am really interested in aquiring a big Healey to do the same. I will sell the 6 as I only have room for one toy at a time. My question to you on this forum is: what kind of price range can I expect to pay for a RESTORABLE Healey, one that will not require a hugh investment in frame or body rot repair? My last TR6 was solid throughout the body and frame, I changed EVERYTHING on it to make it a basically new driver. Cost of such a car is paramount, I do not have extremely deep pockets but know what I would be in for as far as new engine and drivetrain, wiring, interior, etc. Any advice would be apprecitated.

Bill

 

[spritenut]

I paid $1300 for my Floorless Healey 3000 this past June.
It was pretty much complete except it was missing the engine , trans and floors.
I paid to have the frame and what was left of the body panels media blasted, and paid someone to make new seat pans and cover them (all 4) I did everything else myself including body and paint. All new brakes, clutch, suspension, interior, etc. I rewired what needed to be on the original harness, sourced a drivetrain for a few hundred bucks and got lucky with it being in perfect working order.
I bought what I had to from the usual suppliers and found alternatives for the universal pieces like sheetmetal patches. Panel repairs were made from a sheet bought from a local sheetmetal supplier instead buying each little piece. I did purchase the basic floor pans and sills but if it did not have a stamping, I folded it myself. Rubber doodads and nuts and bolts were all bought from a local source in bulk rather than by the piece from a supplier.
I am finished with it and driving it but I am still waiting for my top to be delivered.
All finished I have close to 8 thousand into it and almost every night and weekend of this past summer.

https://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/beasty2.jpg

Frank

 

[HealeyRick]

Just a word of warning. Don't read the bottom line of Frank's post that he's into a big Healey for $8k without thoroughly reading the rest. Frank's the exception. He got a great deal on a solid car and really lucked out getting a working driveline for a few hundred bucks. What he's too modest to say is he's got great mechanical skills, does his own paint and bodywork, and has a demon work ethic that allows him to do full Sprite rebuilds in four weeks. For the rest of us mortals, expect to pay between $4,000 to $7,000 for a complete car needing a full restoration. Pay most attention to frame rust and damage and body work, the mechanicals are straightforward. Nevertheless, these are not cheap cars to rebuild and most people who have the cars and parts for them aren't selling them at bargain prices. You don't say which big Healey you want and you can save a few dollars if you look at some of the less popular models, like the 100-6 or BJ-7, if you want roll up windows. My estimate is you'll end up spending about $15,00 -$20,000 for a decent driver by the time you're done if you do most of the work yourself. But a $4,000 engine rebuild or $10,000 in body and frame work can get you north of there in a hurry. If you're on a budget and can't afford a checkbook resto, it's more important that you take your time to find the right car worth restoring, otherwise you'll be into a money pit. The thing of it is, unless you enjoy the restoration experience, you might be able to find a decent driver for that same $15,000 - $20,000 if you know what you're looking for.

Happy Future Healeying,
Rick

 

[Keoke]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif With Healey Rick, he has scoped Big Healey costs for restoration adequately-Keoke