John Wheatley and his 100

[glemon]

Have seen numerous references to John Wheatley and his one owner 100 in various books. Some questions if anyone knows:

Is his car original, restored, or refurbished?

Is he still around? does he still have his 100?

Has anyone on the list met him or seen the car?

Any other stories of or known one owner 100s?

 

[Randy Forbes]

Isn't his the same car that was delivered from the factory with one (1) BN1 rear fender (no crease) and one (1) BN2 fender (with crease)?

Befuddled during a restoration, about rectifying the mix up, he restored it to original, just the way the car had been all along!

 

[Editor_Reid]

Have seen numerous references to John Wheatley and his one owner 100 in various books. Some questions if anyone knows:

Is his car original, restored, or refurbished?

It has been restored, by John.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Is he still around? does he still have his 100?[/QUOTE]

Yes and yes. John celebrated his 82nd birthday in July.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Has anyone on the list met him or seen the car?[/QUOTE]

Many times.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Any other stories of or known one owner 100s?[/QUOTE]

There is a registry for original-owner Healeys, maintained by Geoff Rossi jeffsjunk46@hotmail.com of Minneapolis. He'll know of many of the original owners.

 

[Editor_Reid]

Isn't his the same car that was delivered from the factory with one (1) BN1 rear fender (no crease) and one (1) BN2 fender (with crease)?

Unlikely. John bought his BN1 in 1954 - mid-year, I believe - well before they added the crease to the rear portion of the rear wings.

 

[glemon]

Thanks Reid, since I seem to be in ? mode then is the story about the fenders (see post above) true?

 

[Editor_Reid]

Thanks Reid, since I seem to be in ? mode then is the story about the fenders (see post above) true?

I can't confirm or deny it since I haven't personally seen such a thing, but it is a part of Healey folklore and it certainly sounds plausible given what we know about BMC in the era and other examples of mixed or mismatched parts as they used up obsolete inventory.

It falls into the same category as the early 3000s having 100-6 grille badges (and that one I have observed on more than one original car) as they used up 100-6 badges or, more likely, were waiting for delivery of the new 3000 badges.

 

[Randy Forbes]

Thanks Reid, since I seem to be in ? mode then is the story about the fenders (see post above) true?

If not John's, then someone's; I don't have enough imagination to make these things up, so I would've read it in one (or more) of the Healey Marque histories that I have (surely, nearly all that have been written, as I've been collecting them 30+ years). Unfortunately, it will be a while before I'll personally be able to confirm this, as I recently started packing up my library (and literally tons__at least 8,000 Lbs went into a single container__of other car parts and tools) in preparation for moving to Florida. Our house <span style="font-style: italic">should</span> be done in March 2012, but it might take some time before I am allowed to sit down and (re)read a book! But, it's out there...