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Looking for a Healey

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One thought might be to start with an Austin Healey Sprite first. They are significantly less expensive than a big Healey, but still a whole lot of fun. A really nice Bugeye Sprite can go for under $10K while a Mark II or III for less than half of that. While I wouldn't trade my BJ8 for Sprite, that may be a way to get into this hobby/love for a whole lot less money.
 
I don't particularly care for the Sprite. The big Healey is the way to go for me. The money isn't really an issue for me. I was looking to get a cheaper one and try and fix it up myself, but from hearing what a lot of people here have to say, you're better off getting one that's all ready to go. I guess it's not like a pre-WWII American cars where people get junkers and build it themselves. Why is that do you think?
 
I don't know the South California clubs, but Austin Healey Club USA, https://www.healey.org/ and Austin-Healey Club of America, https://www.healeyclub.org/ both have clubs in California.

As far as matching numbers, you can get a certificate that will give you the numbers for your car. Both of my Healeys have had everything march, but honestlly, no one has ever asked me. If you plan to show it in big competitions, I might worry about this, but I don't think Healeys are deducted points for not have the engine that it left the factory with in judging. Now a 350 in there would be another story.

Patton
 
Well, I wouldn't plan of putting it in shows. But for overall resale value, it would be better if the numbers matched obviously, right?

Does anyone ever customize Healeys or is it left original? What wheels do people put on other than the spoked rims? Any pictures?
 
A popular conversion years ago was to put a chevy 327 v8 into the big Healeys - Can't say as I subscribe to that way of thinking, a bit like painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa eh?

I may be old and stupid, but my philosophy is: "If it didn't come that way from the factory, who would want it?"

These Objects d'Art are more expressions of passion and comittment and unique perspective on the part of the designers and builders than point A to point B vehicles

As such anybody fortunate enough to have the wherewithall to be able to purchase and maintain one should logically be more or less of that same mindset - But to think you can throw a pile of dollars at one and drive it everyday is perhaps unrealistic - In some ways owning a LBC is quite a bit like being married to a good woman - only harder

A good woman is a great and rare treasure, but still has her moments and quirks - Most of all a good woman will forgive a great deal of a Dumb male's shortcomings as a general rule - British Auto usually won't - The owner has to be as perfect as possible in maintaing and caring for his charge.

Sorry if I see the glass as half empty, but as I said on another post - They ain't makin' em' any more

Signed:
Love my Sprite, but wish I could afford a Big Healey
 
I didn't really mean I wanted to throw a V8 motor in there. I was talking about more cosmetic changes. Not to say that I want to do this, but i just find it interesting that these classics have kept its original style. Most other cars are modified nowadays from their original form.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif

T.F.C. Yes the big Healey is customised. There are at present two classifications for these cars. 1] is called "the Nasty Boys" these are very high performance cars. 2] is the Modifieds generally these cars are a little milder but have wider variations in the modifications, you will find just about any American V8 of any consequence in these cars .Some I have seen will lead you to believe they came from the factory that way.-FWIW---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
If you like the "look" of a big Healey, but want something to customize with a different engine or unique paint job, and something maybe more reliable, why not consider a Healey replica? I believe one is called the Sebring??
 
I don't want to customize it really. I was just curious if people do. I like the authentic look of them. I think they're very classy just the way they are. I can see myself driving this on a daily basis to get around, yet classy enough to make an impression. Whether casual or dressed up, this car fits the mold. I think it's perfect just the way it is and doesn't need anything changed on it. I was just curious as to whether or not anyone modifies them in any way.
 
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The thing is I want to put some personal touches on the car, i.e. paint and upholstery. I don't want to get a healey for 20+ and end up paying 5-10 more on personalizing it.

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Sorry, I thought from the above quote that you wanted to do some custom paint and interior work, non-original. Anyways, some links to replicas are below:

https://www.checkeffect.net/personal/sebringMx.html

https://www.hmcsportscars.com/
 
No, I wanted to paint it the color that I liked. Not necessarily the color it is when I purchse it. And with the interior, I would like to get an upholstery that matches the color of the exterior. That's what I meant by that quote
 
When I started looking seriously at buying a Healey I picked up the book "Original Austin-Healey" by Anders Clausager. It helped me learn about the differences between the models and since it is in color you see many of the interior and exterior factory color schemes. A much newer book, "Austin-Healey 100/100-6/3000 Restoration Guide" by Gary Anderson and Roger Moment is filled with information especially pertaining to originality and the small details that are important when doing a partial or complete restoration. The more you read up on the marque the more you will know what to look for when evaluating a car for purchase.

Something to consider when you are talking about changing colors is that from the factory, all the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, frame, engine compartment, i.e. all the painted metal is all the same color (except for the 2 tone side cove treatment that was an option). You can check out the interior/exterior factory colors at the following site using the interactive color selector:
https://austinhealey.com/
Some people paint their Healeys whatever color they want to and that's fine but a non-stock color *might* make it harder to sell and possibly less valuable on the market. If you never plan to sell your Healey then this is not a concern but just want to pass that info on to you.

I live in Laguna Beach and have my under restoration BJ7 at my house right now and you are welcome to come by and visit. Since it is stripped down you can see the structure and I can point out some areas that typically rust. It might be in the paint shop in a week or so. You can call me at 949 494-0111 if you want to drop by.

Cheers,
John
 
That's some good info. i think i will invest in the book to better educate myself about the car. Thanks for the invite. I will take you up on that offer after I do a little more research and make sure a Healey is what I want to get into. Are you planning on doing most of the work on the resto yourself? If so, would you be willing in helping me out with a resto that I might start if I get a Healey?
 
As far as local clubs, the Austin Healey Association here in Southern California doesn't hold monthly meetings. They do go on outings (upcoming is the Lone Pine Film Festival in October) and also sponsor California Healey Week in May of each year. The club newsletter keeps members informed of upcoming events. I believe there are over 120 members.

The AH Club of San Diego (about 90 members) holds monthly meeting - 2nd Wednesday dinner meeting - to discuss upcoming events, etc. They also go on outings - really fun is Rolling British Car Day in April - and have an informative newsletter.

To meet folks from both of these clubs and see their cars, I'd suggest the upcoming British Car Day on October 3 at Bonsall (north San Diego county). I'd say at least 40 Healeys show up for the event. All the other marques will be there too. These are trophy and concours levels cars, but a lot of the owners have done the work themselves and will happily tell you all about it. Mine formerly fit in the Best Beater category, but her new paint job should take care of that dubious distinction. For colors and wheel styles (mostly wire), you might also want to take a look at the Healey sections in the Members' Rides Gallery of this forum.

Sharon
'53 BN1
 
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Are you planning on doing most of the work on the resto yourself? If so, would you be willing in helping me out with a resto that I might start if I get a Healey?

[/ QUOTE ]

I did the tear down and then had a professional panel beater fix all the panels including getting rid off all the bondo and small rust patches. The motor is being rebuilt by a pro. I considered doing the painting at one point but just don't have the time and place to do the proper job so that is being sub'ed out. I will do all the reassembly and restoration of the suspension, wiring, interior, etc. I have a few pictures of the process at https://www.loftusdesign.net/media_blasting.html

I would be glad to help you out with info/guidance on your restoration. But since I work about 60 hours a week, I'm having a hard time finding enough extra time just to work on mine!

The BJ7 I bought was a good (but somewhat tired) driver. BTW, I found out about it through the local Austin Healey Association. I spent the first few years getting it back in shape and driving it everywhere. I only decided to do a full restoration after I was involved in a fender bender and it seemed like a good time to do the full teardown at that point. Had I not had the fender bender I probably would still be driving the car, doing a rolling restoration on different areas that needed it. Anyway, just another approach. I hear of too many people that buy a "project" and start a restoration but then it gets pushed aside and many years go by with nothing or little getting done. Sometimes these projects never get finished because of money or time and it's a shame that the owner didn't get the joy of driving the car during that time.

Cheers,
John
 
As no one in the UK has yet responded I'll put my 2p in.

Its already been noted that UK cars are more expensive than those in the US. The Uk club magazine regularly carries ads with asking prices on the order of ÂŁ18k for good drivers (and more than ÂŁ30K for recent "fully restored" ones; and 8-10 for restoration projects). At current exchange rates that's roughly $30K for the driver; add on another thousand or two for shipping and more for whatever US import duties and taxes may apply and you're looking at a very costly acquisition.

In recent years a lot of Healeys have been repatriated to the UK from the colonies, and with current exchange rates that is likely to continue.

The point's also been made that parts seem to be cheaper here in the UK than in the USA.
 
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