I thought I'd introduce myself here, since my first question is going to be Healey related.
I had my first LBC, a '79 Midget 18 years ago. I drove it all over California for 1.5 years, and then gave it to my father when I moved to England to work there for a few years.
I returned to Los Angeles, and bought a new 1994 Miata for daily driving - which I have also driven all over California on many road trips. I do all my own maintenance and repairs on the Miata these days, and it's a great little car. However, a few years ago, I got the itching to see my old MG again - and discovered that my father had sold it a year prior and never bothered to tell me
These days I feel the need stronger and stronger to own another LBC - this time, I have my sights set on my dream car, a Big Healey. The wife has finally come around to the idea, but we're not *quite* ready yet, mostly due to a lack of space (a new garage/workshop is on the list of home improvement projects within the next year).
But - as I'm fantasizing and browsing the classifieds, I run across a complete almost original 2 owner, well documented, 1966 BJ8 w/100k, no rust, very good running condition for $36k. The car was repainted (matching red) around 1990, but has lived garaged and well cared for it's whole life.
I'm seriously considering making a trip to see it, and maybe drive it home. It sounds to be in good enough shape to enjoy for a year while the new garage is built, and then I could start fixing up a few things on it, or maybe make a full restoration project out of it. (It's in well cared for shape, but it does have 100k and the years to go with it). It's certainly due for a mechanical freshening up sometime soon. I can make space to keep it garaged during that time (we have a 2-car now, so it would have to bunk with the Miata).
My goals are to own a good 5 footer solid driver that I can enjoy on a weekly (if not daily) basis. I'm not looking for a Concours Diva, just a beautiful work of art to enjoy and drive.
Now I've only been looking half-heartedly up to this point, and I haven't really done enough research about Big Healey's to feel that I know everything I should before buying one. That's where any advice you can offer me is very helpful. I would certainly have the car inspected by a qualified Healey expert in the area before purchasing.
So, is a rust free, original (except paint) and complete solid driver of a 66 BJ8 for $36k something crazy to pass up -- or will there be another one waiting for me in 6-12 months if I'm patient?
Thanks in advance for any expertise and guidance you can offer me!
I had my first LBC, a '79 Midget 18 years ago. I drove it all over California for 1.5 years, and then gave it to my father when I moved to England to work there for a few years.
I returned to Los Angeles, and bought a new 1994 Miata for daily driving - which I have also driven all over California on many road trips. I do all my own maintenance and repairs on the Miata these days, and it's a great little car. However, a few years ago, I got the itching to see my old MG again - and discovered that my father had sold it a year prior and never bothered to tell me
These days I feel the need stronger and stronger to own another LBC - this time, I have my sights set on my dream car, a Big Healey. The wife has finally come around to the idea, but we're not *quite* ready yet, mostly due to a lack of space (a new garage/workshop is on the list of home improvement projects within the next year).
But - as I'm fantasizing and browsing the classifieds, I run across a complete almost original 2 owner, well documented, 1966 BJ8 w/100k, no rust, very good running condition for $36k. The car was repainted (matching red) around 1990, but has lived garaged and well cared for it's whole life.
I'm seriously considering making a trip to see it, and maybe drive it home. It sounds to be in good enough shape to enjoy for a year while the new garage is built, and then I could start fixing up a few things on it, or maybe make a full restoration project out of it. (It's in well cared for shape, but it does have 100k and the years to go with it). It's certainly due for a mechanical freshening up sometime soon. I can make space to keep it garaged during that time (we have a 2-car now, so it would have to bunk with the Miata).
My goals are to own a good 5 footer solid driver that I can enjoy on a weekly (if not daily) basis. I'm not looking for a Concours Diva, just a beautiful work of art to enjoy and drive.
Now I've only been looking half-heartedly up to this point, and I haven't really done enough research about Big Healey's to feel that I know everything I should before buying one. That's where any advice you can offer me is very helpful. I would certainly have the car inspected by a qualified Healey expert in the area before purchasing.
So, is a rust free, original (except paint) and complete solid driver of a 66 BJ8 for $36k something crazy to pass up -- or will there be another one waiting for me in 6-12 months if I'm patient?
Thanks in advance for any expertise and guidance you can offer me!