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Looking for an Austin Healey

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sjgcpa

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I am new to the group and recently joined the Austin Healey club in St. Louis. I just sold my 1963 Triumph TR4 and now I am looking for an Austin Healey. I have not decided on which model so I am open for suggestions. If anyone is aware of a car for sale or has some advise I am all ears.

Thanks

Steve
 
Thanks for the link. My son and I have looked at it over the last few weeks. We are trying to decide the pros and cons of each model. It appears the BJ8 is the way to go but the price has gone through the roof. I wonder if the older classic roadsters are a better value.
 
Joining the local club is a useful thing to do- you'll get to see the cars and with a little persuasion get a ride or even a drive to see what each is like.

Besides the model, what kind of condition are you considering? A nice driver, a car needing a "little" attention (and how that grows....) or a project?

The club members may know of any local cars for sale or likely to come to the market, and letting them know your interested may shake something loose too. You're probably already aware of club advertising, and e-bay, and Hemmings....

The single best advice to offer is to watch these cars for rust- the sills, ouriggers, floors, boot floors wheel arches, lower wings, door bottoms... basically, any steel panels in the bottom 6 inches of the car....

Good luck... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
What I want is a car that has been restored within the last ten years. I want it to be mechanically sound. I am willing to perform maintenace but would rather not do major work. I have a 14 year old son that I am introducing British cars to. I want to spend our time driving not under the hood. Thirty years ago I had a midget and later a spitfire. We just sold a TR4. So I know in reality what I just said I am looking for is a dream.
 
SJG, there is a dealer there in St. Louis who normally has a few Healeys on hand - Mark Hyman of Hyman Ltd. You can check out his web site and then go have a look first hand.
 
There are always adds for nice Healeys in the two monthly Healey Mags. Although I bought my BJ8 on Ebay, it was safer then, it would not be my first choice. You should spend time with it before you buy, poking around, driving and asking questions of the seller. Watch out for "I'm selling this for a friend." I have read many horror stories about the Hyman operation on the internet. I'd check them out. Check things out and get everything in writing.
 
HI SJGCPA, Welcome to the forum. I will second Tahoe Healey's advice about Hyman LTD.I would just forget I heard about them and stick to the Healey magazine advertised cars in your area and those that your club members know about or may be advertised on this forum.---Fwiw---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Thanks for the advise. I have been by Hyman Ltd a few times. My gut feeling is to buy from an individual. What Healey magazines are you referring to?
 
Jump in right here, Reid. The "Healey Marque Magazine" (AH Club of America) and "Austin Healey Magazine" (AH Club USA). Both High quality, monthly mags with great pictures and articles.
 
sjgcpa, there currently is a red BJ8 for sale in the St. Louis area by a private owner. Don't know if you are aware of it. Contact me off-line for the details. bt7bobmac@sbcglobal.net
Welocme to the forum and the club.
 
Short of flying around the country when I see an ad that looks interesting, is there a way to check out a vehicle?
 
Hi Steve,
As has been said, due to the semi unibody construction of these cars, a "little rust" can turn into a major rebuild. I would almost certainly get a Healey knowledgeable person to do a final inspection before purchasing one.

Your best bet is to get a member of one of the National Healey clubs to look at it first. There is usually someone who is fairly near the car you are interested in. If you are interested, there is a Healeys email list where you can contact members all over the country. healeys@autox.team.net

You can go here to sign up for the list:
https://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool

It's also possible that someone on this forum might be close enough to check it out.

Likely that if you put the word out, someone close by could inspect a car for you. If it sounds like a possibility, then check it out in person. Buying sight unseen can be very risky. Above all, don't get in a hurry.
D
 
Whoa! I feel like I need to defend my honor... I have never done business with Hyman, and do not have an opinion one way or the other, but was suggesting that place as a resource in his own town to actually see and perhaps drive some of the different models to help SJG decide which way he wants to go.
 
Ebay has a Blue 1960 2-Owner, Rust Free California BT-7 with Black Plates listed for $24,500 in Santa Rosa, CA. The dealer is Left Coast Classics. Any thoughts?
 
I concur with Dave..."don't get in a hurry". I did a good deal of traveling before I found a worthy Healey. I finally found my car in California (IMHO the best really are in the west) and had it shipped back east. If your experience turns out anything like mine, be prepared to see a lot of cars with overstated claims of perfection. My favorite line is the often heard seller's response to the question of rust..."none that I'm aware of" . If you hear those words, be suspicious. Good luck with your search. Lots of helpful people of this forum.
 
You will learn more about the car form the bottom. Get on your hands and knees and inspect the front to rear. Look for rust, frame dents, bondo, fraid wires and leaks. Your are not looking for perfection in a 40 to 50 year old car but you need to look beyond a pretty cosmetic exterior to see what you are in for. It would be worth seeing in person before you invest you money. I think of old cars like icebergs. You only see 1/3 until you get it home and start looking deeper.
 
Naw Wana, every little bit helps your OK.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ebay has a Blue 1960 2-Owner, Rust Free California BT-7 with Black Plates listed for $24,500 in Santa Rosa, CA. The dealer is Left Coast Classics. Any thoughts?

[/ QUOTE ]
If you could get it for $10,000 good deal, if $24,000 not so good. Not much mentioned about mechanical condition. Might be on it's last 5,000 miles. Note that the "new top" is not installed. A quick look shows very poor door alignment/fit. If it was a simple adjustment, the seller would have already corrected it. There are signs of painted over rust pitting. The dash top is a disaster. I really think that you can do better. "Black Plate" only means that it is old. I have an extra BP if you need one.
D
 
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