Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
AndrewMawson
Jedi Trainee
Offline
But the original design kept the drivers feet cool and the passengers feet hot. It's only 'cos you lot drive on the wrong side of the road that your drivers feet get hot <G>
AWEM
AWEM
-
Hi Guest!
You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
keep it original v. improve it
- Thread starter TomFromStLouis
- Start date
Share this page
Offline
TomFromStLouis said:
Welcome Tom. Good to read that you have accessed the archives here. They offer much. Chances are, there will have already been some discussion about the things you need advice on, so do take a moment to do those searches and it can save you some time. Also don't forget that there are other forums ("fora" for our Latin friends) that may also hold valuable advice and information that you're looking for.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I am currently shopping for a BJ8 and the market for them is all over the price range. My goal is a "beautiful driver", meaning I do not have a Barrett Jackson budget but want to enjoy looking at it from 5 or ten feet away. As I sift through the cars available, I am thinking it might be nice to have a list of "wanted features" so I can factor in any changes I would need to make to bring a cheaper driver up to this standard. So naturally the question of originality pops up.[/QUOTE]
Frankly I would not be too concerned with the subject "wanted features." A BJ8 is pretty much a BJ8. Pick a color you like and then focus more on "condition" than "features." Just like "location, location, and location" are the three most important considerations in real estate, I'd say that "condition, condition and condition" are the top three for car buying. Of course that's after you decide the make and model (and color) you want.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]For perspective, this will be my first LBC and I am no mechanic.[/QUOTE]
Very few of us are mechanics, although a few of us play the role here from time to time. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Of course, you don't have to be a mechanic to work on your car, and real mechanics especially appreciate it when we do because more often than not it creates more demand for their expertise... As I like to say, "Working on your own car may be slower than getting it done professionally, but at least in the long run, it is far more expensive!" /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazyeyes.gif
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]My priorities go something like this: first comes safety. Nobody seems to question adding seat belts and 3 point restraint makes sense to me. If I cannot adapt my lead foot driving style, brake mods appeal to me, even if I only need them once. But already we are veering way away from concours standards. That's okay, since my enjoyment will be driving not showing. Still, where do you draw the line and how can I figure out where on the spectrum I will fall?[/QUOTE]
I infer from your comment here that you may not know too much about Austin-Healey Concours. Your car can still score very high with many modifications, actually. Plus, nothing prevents you from showing - and even winning trophies - just because you have changed some things from original. Modified cars are often crowd favorites in a "popular choice" type show.
I strongly urge you to buy a set of the Concours Guidelines. There is a wealth of information that that will be very valuable as you work on your car, regardless of whether or not you ever intend to submit it for concours judging.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Just after safety mods comes ease of use and maintenance; a screw on oil filter seems a no brainer idea. But what about the generator/alternator, or similar affordable and common changes?[/QUOTE]
Those are both probably good ideas, but they are also things that you can easily change after you buy. Don't let things such as oil filter and generator/alternator influence your decision to buy a car. Buy a good car and make those mods later if necessary.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Then we have performance. Clearly you can drop big money and radically alter the factory car for the better. For a non-racer, what would you say are the obvious first steps in this category?[/QUOTE]
I'll defer to others on this question, but would also suggest that you try the car at stock power first, and see if you're not happy with it. More power is always fun, but the BJ8 isn't bad at all in stock form, for a tourer.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The last category is aesthetic changes and the only ones that strikes me as an improvement is fresh paint and wire wheels. I suppose a non-factory color (say, a variation of Colorado Red) or a color not listed on the Heritage Certificate would bother some people, but not me.[/QUOTE]
I always recommend sticking with original colors for a couple of reasons. First because the color of the car is so fundamental to its appearance that changing colors is almost in the same category with body modifications. (Why did you buy a Healey if you don't like its looks?) Second is resale. Almost no one who buys a Healey thinks seriously about eventual resale at the time - they're in love - but it will likely make a big difference down the road.
If you do decide to go with a non-original color, I'd recommend thinking long and hard about it. Infatuation today does not equal long-term happiness. What looks fun and exciting and cool right now might look more and more like an unfortunate lapse of good judgment in the years ahead.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Anyhow, I'd be interested in people's thoughts on deciding these things, in general or within a specific area like safety, ease of use, performance or aesthetics. I am inclined to hold off demanding most mods until I get a car and experience it awhile, but I am trying to influence how much car I should pay for now; I have heard multiple times that it is best to buy the best car you can afford since restoration always co$t$.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely. Buy the best car you can afford.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]And I am sorry if this subject has been beaten around alot before, but my efforts to read the archives (starting at page 160+!) are progressing slowly. [/QUOTE]
Welcome to the Austin-Healey Forum of the BCF, and good luck in your search. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
anthony7777
Yoda
Offline
keoke, thats right i just bought a monster "hemi" fur my bj-7 /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gifKeoke said:
anthony7777
Yoda
Offline
sir reid, most pleasant hearing from you, i find you here now most prolific, do not ever allow me to discover the location of your "sleeping healey" for it will most assuredly be missing in the hours of the morning, lust, lust, lust, lord forgive me please. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
anthony7777
Yoda
Offline
keoke, /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif appears as if you have "consumededed" about the equivalent amount of mango juice and "spiced" rum as have i. sorry but im not able to help myself nor any one else at this time for that matter, /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
Ed_K
Jedi Knight
Offline
Do what you need to or want to do. Most of these modifications can be easily reversed as long as you save the old parts.
I finished installing a small, powered subwuffer yesterday. You all know the limited space available so that was quite a job !
A Roger inspired cup holder is next on the menu.
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thirsty.gif
I finished installing a small, powered subwuffer yesterday. You all know the limited space available so that was quite a job !
A Roger inspired cup holder is next on the menu.
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thirsty.gif
Offline
anthony7777 said:
Alas, me Healey doth not sleepeth, for he prefereth roareth to life and carry me to adventures yet not seen.
tahoe healey
Yoda
Offline
My two cents says that we have an obligation to history to keep things as original as possible (except 3 point belts and best break pads available). If you have ever driven a well restored, well tuned Healey, many of your questions wouldn't be asked. It is an awesome experience. The sounds, the cornering, the smells cannot be duplicated. If you want proformance, look to Japan. If you want a smile on your face that wont go away for decades, look to Healeys. And at the end of that decade, what will the value of the rice rocket be compaired to the Healey. And Healey parts will still be available.(ok, so it was 4 cents).
TH
TH
anthony7777
Yoda
Offline
reid, i have recently learned that all four of your "rottweilers" just love meatballs! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
V
vagt6
Guest
Guest
Offline
I've mentioned this before, maybe it's worth saying again.
To me, these cars are not unlike works of art. As such, we are only the temporary owners. It's our job to preserve them and pass them on to the next "caretaker".
What if someone bought a valuable oil painting and decided to "improve" it by adding new colors, etc.?? Same concept for your LBC, IMHO.
If you must modify the car from original, tread lightly. Keep the mods reversible and save the old parts.
There's so much fun to be had in restoring to near-original specs that it almost seems superfluous to do otherwise, methinks. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif
To me, these cars are not unlike works of art. As such, we are only the temporary owners. It's our job to preserve them and pass them on to the next "caretaker".
What if someone bought a valuable oil painting and decided to "improve" it by adding new colors, etc.?? Same concept for your LBC, IMHO.
If you must modify the car from original, tread lightly. Keep the mods reversible and save the old parts.
There's so much fun to be had in restoring to near-original specs that it almost seems superfluous to do otherwise, methinks. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif
Offline
Driver or show car.
As Mark said,
"If you must modify the car from original, tread lightly. Keep the mods reversible and save the old parts."
My opinion only, if you are not entering the car in concours judging & plan to actually drive the car long distances, there are a few very helpful modifications which I'm sure would have been incorporated into the originals, had they not been discontinued rather abruptly. Even DMH himself was in favor of improvements as needed. There was no long fast interstate travel when the cars were built. If you are building a show only "trailered" car, by all means keep it all original.
A few "necessary" improvements:
A more modern SU fuel pump.
In hot climates, a more efficient radiator core, fan, & coolant recovery system.
On the older cars with two 6 volt batteries, a single 12 volt battery, preferably completely sealed.
Replace the generator with an alternator.
Added cockpit heat insulation.
A much more efficient & easy to replace "spin on" oil filter.
Extra fuses added for critical circuits.
As I said, just my opinion.
D
As Mark said,
"If you must modify the car from original, tread lightly. Keep the mods reversible and save the old parts."
My opinion only, if you are not entering the car in concours judging & plan to actually drive the car long distances, there are a few very helpful modifications which I'm sure would have been incorporated into the originals, had they not been discontinued rather abruptly. Even DMH himself was in favor of improvements as needed. There was no long fast interstate travel when the cars were built. If you are building a show only "trailered" car, by all means keep it all original.
A few "necessary" improvements:
A more modern SU fuel pump.
In hot climates, a more efficient radiator core, fan, & coolant recovery system.
On the older cars with two 6 volt batteries, a single 12 volt battery, preferably completely sealed.
Replace the generator with an alternator.
Added cockpit heat insulation.
A much more efficient & easy to replace "spin on" oil filter.
Extra fuses added for critical circuits.
As I said, just my opinion.
D
Richard Dickinson
Jedi Trainee
Offline
IMO, as a long time Healey owner, the only mods that should be made are those that add to safety, reliability, and comfort, some of which were mentioned above. All things that can be easily reversed. These cars were built with 1940's technology and saftey standards(i.e. none), before interstates, giant SUVs and pickup trucks. Your average Japanese sedan with a V6 will out perform and out handle a Healey and do it with a lot more comfort and safety. Unless you want to put it on the track, leave it alone. Something to think about.
John Loftus
Darth Vader
Offline
Dave Russell said:
Well, there was the 2 Road & Track tester who drove a new 3000 (1960?) from New York to California (2800 miles) in a little over 57 hours (including 3 1/2 hours spent in restaurants) I don't think they used a trailer. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif
Randy Forbes
Yoda
Offline
David E. Davis was one of the testers (I have that issue). They did however give credit to a "small vial of highly potent pep pills" in the lead-in paragraphs.
The car may have still been stock, but the drivers were modified /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
The car may have still been stock, but the drivers were modified /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
John Loftus
Darth Vader
Offline
Randy Forbes said:
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif