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Healey for sale should I paint or not?

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BobHorvath

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I have a 1965 BJ8 that has never been taken apart. I have re-built the engine and found that it had never been apart. Original interior, carpets (not original), the paint has been re-done. I have dropped an over-head light leaving a crease in the fender/cowl. I live in snow country so I have all winter to take her apart and have a real paint job applied. The question is should I paint her white again (original color)? Should I paint a black panel on the side? Or should I just sell her as is?
 
I'd say it depends on what price you will be wanting to get for it and what amount of time you have. Healeys are a bear to paint correctly. You a take a fender off and try to put it right back on. It will not line right back up with out some effort. My feelings are if the car is pretty solid and has been repainted non original color, paint it back to original.

Marv
 
Thanks Marvin I was not aware that the fenders an other parts are hard to re-install. I bought the car years ago from a museum/collector in Portland. It had some problems with oil pressure and oil burn which I have corrected. I bought it because it was a perfect starting point for a total re-store (all original parts and never molested/wrecked). I have taken it to a couple of shows here in the west. I have never entered it in but have had officials comment on the original parts (dist. knobs, and other little stuff that I really can't appreciate). I have worked on this car for 4 years and I now relise that a total re-build is a task that is beyond my interest. I love driving it here in the summer as it runs great. I need to find a person who will appreciate the originality.
 
If the point is to seel the car then I'd say don't repaint simply because a cheap job will probably subtract from what you can get for the car while a good job will cost more and take more time than you'll probably get out of it by the increased asking price. Good paint requires a lot of prep work and materials aren't cheap anymore either.
 
I need to find a person who will appreciate the originality.

IF this is the case Bob, I see no reason to paint the car. Let the new owner enjoy the patina and decide during his ownership what he wants to do with the car.--Fwiw--Keoke
 
Hey Bob,
I agree with everyone else as getting a Healey prepped right to repaint is
a bear. Just taking off the stainless fender trip pieces will teach you new
swear words and putting them back on or new ones back on will elevate your
swearing to levels you do not know exist !!! If you decide to tackle it
anyway, if the engine compartment and frame are still clearly white as original,
I would go back to the original color. I happen to like painted coves so
white over black would look great !
Good luck,
Mike
 
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