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Kurt Tanner restoration

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Johnny

Johnny

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Not ever having seen a Kurt Tanner restored car up close I was just wondering if any of you ever had? For instance, what specifically does Kurt Tanner do during his restorations to warrant such success? Does he offer any modifications? Not that I care to emulate his work, just curious.
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I've seen two of his cars. Both were late BJ8s. I can't tell you specifically what he does that is different than any of a number of other attentive professional restorers. His cars are impecable in that there were no obvious flaws to the restorations - except he used chrome 72 spoke wheels on radial tires. His body and paint work is as good as it gets. He uses the best materials for his interiors and the assembly of the interiors is excellent. His attention to the little details is likewise excellent. Hoses are correct and fasteners appear to all be correct as well. But I am not an expert on fasteners. The cars that I have seen were recent restos and were very straight with zero dings. Neither car looked like it had been driven. Having said that, there are any number of non-Tanner restorers that could easily stand head to head against his restorations.
He's good. So are lots of others out there.

I think that K Tanner commands top prices at auction because his reputation as having commanded top prices in the past follows him. To a classic car auction house, a Tanner car on the block is like a bankable movie star to a producer. No matter if the star is the best for the role. The important thing is, can he sell movie tickets? That's what matters.

If ultimate price appreciation is important to you, you can assume Kurt Tanner has helped the Healey world. His record-breaking auction results have floated all boats. He has maintained very high standards for Healey restorers to emulate. That ain't so bad!
Best
Randy '66 BJ8
 
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Not ever having seen a Kurt Tanner restored car up close I was just wondering if any of you ever had? For instance, what specifically does Kurt Tanner do during his restorations to warrant such success? Does he offer any modifications? Not that I care to emulate his work, just curious.

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Kurt's success is based on two things: venue and reputation.

Auctions are where the big money comes to buy toys, and Kurt's cars sell well there because his cars sold well the year before, and those sold well because his cars sold well the year before, etc. He has also received good reviews, particularly in Sports Car Market, which basically covers auction sales, and they give him good reviews because his cars are nice and sell well. It's all a bit circular and self-reinforcing.

I've seen many of his cars (maybe 10 or so). There is nothing different about them compared to other very nicely restored cars. But Kurt has the reputation and sells his cars where the big money is.

Since most (pretty much all, really) of these big-money auction goers who are buying his cars don't really know Healeys that well (or at all in many cases), they rely on what Sports Car Market says, and then when they pay a lot for one of his cars, it reinforces what Sports Car Market and others said all along, you see.

At least that's my take it on.
 
Many thanks to Randy and Reid for responding. I think Randy said it best. I was more interested in what he "did to his cars, that we don't". I really don't understand the purpose of adding 72 spoke chrome wire wheels on a car that most likely will never be driven. I was just wondering if he did any internal modifications to the motor, added an alternator or air conditioning, or any special heat resistant treatments, or possibly anti-rust treatments etc. etc. Interestingly I seen where one of his cars that varied too far, apparently, from originality and didn't bring such a high price. I believe it was last years auction and maybe a 100/6 car.
 
I purchased my BT7 from Kurt at the 2006 Barrett Jackson. What I can tell you is the car that I purchased is like new, as if you purchased it off the show room floor in 1962. His attention to detail is what sets the car appart. There are a few resto shops that do good work on Healey's, what sets him apart is the detail....I am a very happy customer.
 
Like you I am also very pleased with the car I bought from Kurt Tanner. This was back in 95-96, when Kurt was still a mere mortal. Mine was not purchased at an auction, but rather through an ad listed in Hemmings. Yes, his attention to detail is remarkable.
 
Grats on your Tanner rides guys. I am sure you enjoy them on a nice day on the road and just setting in the garage as you walk by to get into the daily driver.

A fine car is a joy forever.
 
Speaking to jlaird’s comment about the joy of a fine car…and maybe waxing a bit philosophical, (or just hallucinating):

When I see the condition of some of the cars, or what’s left of them, or when I see some of the modifications done, like that bastardized rumble seat monstrosity with a v-8 literally crammed into it, I actually think to myself, …you poor thing, what have they done to you?”

But, when I see a well-done restoration, (Tanner’s, and others) or, a really well maintained original, especially with a clean underside and a clean engine bay, I imagine a very happy car, one anxious to please a grinning driver. It makes me happy!

I know show and museum cars have their place, but I bet those cars aren’t very happy, not being driven, sometimes overdriven, and a busily engaged owner, with the bonnet up, digging into the heart of the matter to sort things out.

I’m glad for what Tanner and others have done for the value of the cars, or at least spread the appreciation of the cars to others, and I’m glad for the individual cars too.
 
Hear Hear.

A happy Healey is a used Healy, not abused but used.

Oh yea and I think it is also good to have a few in Museums.

For those of us without the higher prices kinda pushed us out of the market in many cases unless you just get lucky.
 
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I was more interested in what he "did to his cars, that we don't". I really don't understand the purpose of adding 72 spoke chrome wire wheels on a car that most likely will never be driven.

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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Sorry, I didn't want to in any way, speak ill of his restorations, in fact, I'm very envious. I'm convinced that I'll never be able to achieve Kurt's success due mainly to the type of vehicle I purchase for restoration. (mostly rust buckets or unfinished cars). Thanks to all who responded.
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Oh me oh my. I'd have one in a heart beat. And I like to restore old ones.
 
FWIW...in the 10+ years I've owned my car (Tanner restored), I've entered it in a number of local club shows and events, including Moss Motors East, and I have never ever taken home any silverware in a popular vote! Go figure.
 
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FWIW...in the 10+ years I've owned my car (Tanner restored), I've entered it in a number of local club shows and events, including Moss Motors East, and I have never ever taken home any silverware in a popular vote! Go figure.

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Popular vote results still baffle me, even after so many years in the hobby. I’ve seen cars such as yours – basically really gorgeous – that never win anything, and I’ve seen other cars that seem no better, that are consistent winners. Sure, popular voters like red and extra chrome, and spots on the end of a row are good I’m told, but it really seems like such a crap-shoot that it seems almost meaningless.

At these shows I seldom bother to display the windshield card with my car’s number on it. I just like sharing my cars with people who are interested. The whole vote thing is kinda pointless and beside the point if you ask me, not that you did ask.

At least that's my take on it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
well, yes, this time of the year it's easy to say that taking home a trophy isn't important. But, as the weather warms, and so does the engine, well-- that's a different story. If you're really interested in seeing how popular Healey's are, enter your car in a multi- marque carshow where LBC are'nt the only marque.
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well, yes, this time of the year it's easy to say that taking home a trophy isn't important. But, as the weather warms, and so does the engine, well-- that's a different story. If you're really interested in seeing how popular Healey's are, enter your car in a multi- marque carshow where LBC are'nt the only marque.
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And guess what! you should walk away with : 1st in class Convertibles & Best Convertible.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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My experience with multi marque shows is that they don't even know what a "Healey" is. Back woods farm country I guess.
D

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Well I betcha they do now an I got the trophy to prove it!---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
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My experience with multi marque shows is that they don't even know what a "Healey" is. Back woods farm country I guess.
D

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Every year here in St Louis we have a multi-marque benefit car show where the only classes are by country! (Italy, Germany, English etc) interestingly, in the English category Jaguar wins most of the time but last year Healey's took 1st place. I'll enclose a photo of the winning Healey as an attachment. So I guess in that regard Kurt Tanner has really peaked some interest in Healey's.
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