Insurance companies valuing our Healey's

[PHulst]

To market it?

If you really, really wanted to sell there tend to be 2 ways.
First is word of mouth. The highest $ cars and often most desirable ones often are sold in that manner.
Second would be a higher class auction with reserve, such as Bonham's or RM. Mecum or Barrett-Jackson is the wrong market for this car, and I would not try and consign it through a dealer.

I know those who have used eBay to market their car even though they never intend to sell it via the site. Listing fees are quite low, and it puts the word out that the car is for sale. Many cars are sold after the listings are done with the buyer and seller having made contact during the listing time.

Trying to find a car like yours to replace it - if that's at all in your thoughts - is next to impossible. It's why I have kept mine, as it's so difficult to find one better.

 

[drambuie]

Thank you for the info, I will look into all those avenues as I am ready to sell.

 

[Keoke]

Patrick,

That doesn't apply to Healeys. A properly restored car will always fetch more than an unrestored car.

I have never seen an unrestored Healey sell for big bucks at an auuctio. As a matter of fact "I" do not recall seeing one at an auction.

 

[drambuie]

I have never seen an unrestored Healey sell for big bucks at an auuctio. As a matter of fact "I" do not recall seeing one at an auction.

. Well Keoke, I suggest you research the Internet a bit...unrestored original Austin Healey's have sold at major auctions at astonishing prices! So many examples out there.

 

[DerekJ]

I would really like to see a link to any unrestored Healey that has sold at an astonishing price at an auction. I'm not talking about NOJ 393 and cars like that. I'm referring to ordinary 3000s and BJ8s.

BTW, URX727, NOJ 393, DD300 and other famous cars have all been restored.

 

[drambuie]

Classic car news 2015 list the 1967 Bj8 in number 2 condtion at $73,600 ...to me that's a big bucks! However, at the Barrett Jackson Auctions, they have gone even more! We all know how out of control and heated things can get at these events. However, to most of us with a level head prices are more realistic. Of course some of the well known iconic Healey's as you refer to are in a much different league. I do remember seeing a ( incorrect) restored bn4 go for 125k at Barrett Jackson two years ago on one of the networks, 60 spoke chrome rims with over size tires and wrong detail in motor bay to name a few things. old daddy big bucks was sitting with his young wife and wanted to impress her.. I just shook my head!

 

[HealeyRick]

As is often said, they're only original once.

Very true, but to me the time it stops being original is the minute it drives off the showroom floor. After that, unless it's in a hermetically sealed bubble it's on its way to becoming another used car. I love seeing original cars that have the gently used patina of a nicely broken in baseball glove. But I truly hate the "it's only original once" phrase to justify every rusty old hulk that hasn't had a lick of maintenance in 50 years.

I would really like to see a link to any unrestored Healey that has sold at an astonishing price at an auction.

So this is the kind of car I'm talking about:

It looks pretty original and is claimed to be unrestored with a 79,000 Euros ask here with lots more pictures: https://www.bmcclassics.nl/1963-bj7-unrestored.html

 

[drambuie]

Thanks for the photo Rick, very nice Original Healey however i detected some funny welding on the frame members.. And obviously it's a repainted car with a restored interior after market badges, bumpers, wheels, new rear leaf springs, wrong motor detail, clamps/ hoses/ painted items, reconditioned motor. All in all its very nice indeed! I wonder what their asking price is on this gem? They claim its unrestored? Not so, but a nice body on restoration.

 

[Keoke]

I love seeing original cars that have the gently used patina of a nicely broken in baseball glove.

Me too! Rick:

But this car does not seem to fit that mold.

It is more like the Brits are pulling ones leg or it was kept in a hermetically sealed bubble.:highly_amused:

 

[drambuie]

I love seeing original cars that have the gently used patina of a nicely broken in baseball glove.

Me too! Rick:

But this car does not seem to fit that mold.

It is more like the Brits are pulling ones leg or it was kept in a hermetically sealed bubble.:highly_amused:

. I agree, the more I studied the nice photos the more I had to edit my reply... But still a very nice body on restoration indeed! They really shot themselves in the boot with the claim of unrestored!

 

[PHulst]

Very true, but to me the time it stops being original is the minute it drives off the showroom floor. After that, unless it's in a hermetically sealed bubble it's on its way to becoming another used car. I love seeing original cars that have the gently used patina of a nicely broken in baseball glove. But I truly hate the "it's only original once" phrase to justify every rusty old hulk that hasn't had a lick of maintenance in 50 years.

In such cases the phrase is definitely being misused.
As one of my mentors likes to say, there are no Corvette virgins. The saying could be tweaked for any type of car.

The other phrase often misused is the term Survivor™. You see it used for any car that's hasn't had a full restoration when that's not at all the original intent of the term. New paint, new carpet, rebuilt motor but it's a survivor...?

In the FYI Department, the term Survivor™ with respect to cars is actually a trademark of Bloomington Gold/Nat'l Corvette Certification Board.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

The all-original, low-mileage 100M that Wayne Carini sold for the second--I think--owner's widow went for a little over $200K with buyer's premium at auction. They did rebuild the engine before the auction.