New forum participant - once I find a car!

[nevets]

Finding a Healey worth buying can be a challenge. I spent over a year looking, with several flights to see unacceptable cars, not to mention numerous wasted drives all over the NE. This was before the advent of the internet, smart phones, etc. I think it's a lot easier to avoid being mislead these days.

 

[zanker]

All interesting comments. Thanks.

I have to admit I'm not really seeing the issue with the seat covers, maybe I'll track down some better pics of original seats to compare.

In any case, thus far I guess I'm not hearing any reason not to at least chat with the dealer. I need much fuller detail about the restoration and history.

I will report back with any new info I uncover, for anyone that cares. In the meantime I welcome any and all comments.

Thanks.

Tom

 

[Keoke]

ditto

Pretty Ladies like Mine TOO !!:highly_amused:

 

[zanker]

I had a phone conversation this afternoon with the dealer (who is also the present owner). He may not have realized it, but honestly with just a little effort it would have been easy for him to convince me to come see the car while I'm in CA 10 days from now. But he made it very clear the car will sell before I get there. Well, good for you duuuuude.

Out of fairness I will refrain from sharing further impressions publicly. I'll just say it was an easy decision to not pursue this car any further after our very brief chat.

Thanks to all for the input, I will be back!

 

[Healey Nut]

I had a phone conversation this afternoon with the dealer (who is also the present owner). He may not have realized it, but honestly with just a little effort it would have been easy for him to convince me to come see the car while I'm in CA 10 days from now. But he made it very clear the car will sell before I get there. Well, good for you duuuuude.

Out of fairness I will refrain from sharing further impressions publicly. I'll just say it was an easy decision to not pursue this car any further after our very brief chat.

Thanks to all for the input, I will be back!

You didn't ask him if the "polished turd" was still for sale did you ?? Probably not a good intro :emmersed::excitement::highly_amused:

 

[zanker]

No, but after 10 seconds on the phone with this dealer dude, I could have quite easily worked the words "polished turd" into our conversation...

 

[stuntflyr]

LOL, I see it's still for sale at 48K.
Chris...

 

[blueskies]

Well, I'm surprised that, considering the number of Healey owners that have seen this thread, no one has offered a better deal. On first glance, that Colorado Red example looks pretty good for the money. But if no one else has bought it yet, maybe there is a good reason - or maybe not.

If possible, it's usually best to look at a car in person. I was burnt once by a dishonest seller/dealer whose word I took for the condition of a car. (I wish that I could name the dealer, but crooks like that may have more money for lawyers than I do.) Interestingly, all the cars that I have driven long distances to look at did meet expectations, and most sellers are great.

 

[BJ8Healeys]

Hello, Tom -

If you are looking to buy a BJ8, then I would encourage you to check in with the BJ8 Registry before you put any money down on a car. I have been keeping the BJ8 Registry since 1998, and currently have data and records for 8,700 (exactly, as of today) of the 17,712 BJ8s originally manufactured. I can tell you that there are an incredible number of cars out there now with messed up numbers -- VIN and/or body number plates from other cars, non-original engines (which is O.K. unless you are looking for an all numbers-matching car, but at least you should know what you are getting). This includes cars that have been restored by very well-known restorers. I would also avoid sellers who seem to think a VIN should be kept secret (wonder why?).
Also, if you are interested in the former ownership history of a car you should be aware that dealers are frequently reluctant to reveal their sources due to "privacy".

Good luck in your search!

 

[BJ8Healeys]

Does anyone know THIS car? Or any thoughts about what you see? It's been bouncing back and forth between Hemmings, eBay and other sites for a while, started at 55 and steadily falling in price...

My first question to the dealer would be why the owner, supposedly a Healey enthusiast active in his Healey club, isn't selling it himself. I did find out the car has about 10,000 miles since the restoration, although the seller didn't seem altogether sure about that which was odd. Unless the dealer actually owns this car, I'm kind of hoping the owner pulls this thing from consignment and relists it at a fair price, then I'd go look at it. I'd certainly prefer to deal with the person who restored the car than a dealer.

Thanks!

Tom

Yes, I have the car in the BJ8 Registry. It has been for sale by Goodman Reed since at least September 2015. Previous owner was in Washington state. 27591 was for sale out of Oklahoma City on eBay in May 2006. It was offered for sale in Healey Marque in February 2006. Previous owner in St. Louis, who found the car stored in a barn in Washington, Missouri in 1996. He is the restorer and "long-time AHCA member" mentioned in the ad and who offered it for sale in Healey Marque. Previous owner in St. Louis bought the car prior to 9 October 1970. Previous owner in Ferguson, Missouri bought it prior to 28 February 1969.
The body and engine numbers recorded in the registry appear to be original for chassis 27591. The external features also appear to be correct for the chassis number.
Goodman Reed typically does not sell on consignment, so I would guess they actually own the car.

How's that?

 

[BJ8Healeys]

It could partly be because of the 'loud' white piping--which I believe should be red on a red car--but the lower 'wrap' on the back doesn't blend smoothly with the padded portion at the very base of the back (can't think of a better way to describe it, but if you look at the photos I think you'll see what I mean).

The piping on vinyl BJ8 seats was always "silver", no matter what the body color was. With aging over the years, the silver piping turned to "gold" as you see it on most unrestored interiors. The "loud white piping" in the photos is, I think just the silver piping of replacement upholstery. If a car got leather interior at the factory (for cars coming to North America, almost always Personal Export Delivery), it had piping to match the seat color.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Thanks for the info, Steve. Didn't the earlier cars come with piping to match the paint? We debated this when we did the upholstery on the white/black BN2/100M, and went with all black (and we're pleased with it).

 

[BJ8Healeys]

Thanks for the info, Steve. Didn't the earlier cars come with piping to match the paint? We debated this when we did the upholstery on the white/black BN2/100M, and went with all black (and we're pleased with it).

Bob, my focus is so much on BJ8s that I haven't studied the details of other models much. I think earlier cars did have colored piping but I don't know the "rules" for the piping for anything but BJ8s.

 

[CraigC]

Thanks for the info, Steve. Didn't the earlier cars come with piping to match the paint? We debated this when we did the upholstery on the white/black BN2/100M, and went with all black (and we're pleased with it).

Bob, my 56 M, which was purchased by my dad in 1963 with 33k miles, was white over black exterior with black interior. Piping on seats was black. I still have the remains of the original leather.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I think I read--probably in the legendary Anderson/Moment book--that the piping color was an option (at least for the leather interiors).

 

[zanker]

Hi Steve.

Thanks so much for sharing this information. I was in fact very close to going to see the Goodman Reed car, but the salesman (Reed, I think) was so slimy, condescending and rude, I changed my mind.

My Healey search continues, however with less urgency since I recently picked up a Lotus Elan +2 that will keep me busy for a while.

Steve, thanks again. Don't be surprised if I look you up one day, as we visit our grandkids in Fayetteville very often

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Bob, my focus is so much on BJ8s that I haven't studied the details of other models much. I think earlier cars did have colored piping but I don't know the "rules" for the piping for anything but BJ8s.

I was under the impression that BJ8's with leather interior had piping color to match the interior color.

 

[BJ8Healeys]

I was under the impression that BJ8's with leather interior had piping color to match the interior color.

Pat, I think that's what I was saying on 12/21/2015: the seat color is the interior color. BJ8s with leather interiors had piping on the seats to match the seat color: red interiors/seats had red piping, blue interiors/seats had blue piping, etc. The one exception I am aware of was chassis 42230. It is my understanding that this car was special-ordered for one of Lord Lambury's (Len Lord's) daughters. It was painted Silver Grey, with red leather interior and white piping and came equipped with a hardtop and seatbelts. I'm assuming that such a special car had a leather interior, although it isn't called out on the BMIHT certificate for 42230. If it was vinyl, then it was an exception to the "always silver" piping on vinyl seats. BMIHT frequently is inconsistent in listing optional equipment.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Pat, I think that's what I was saying on 12/21/2015: the seat color is the interior color. BJ8s with leather interiors had piping on the seats to match the seat color: red interiors/seats had red piping, blue interiors/seats had blue piping, etc. The one exception I am aware of was chassis 42230. It is my understanding that this car was special-ordered for one of Lord Lambury's (Len Lord's) daughters. It was painted Silver Grey, with red leather interior and white piping and came equipped with a hardtop and seatbelts. I'm assuming that such a special car had a leather interior, although it isn't called out on the BMIHT certificate for 42230. If it was vinyl, then it was an exception to the "always silver" piping on vinyl seats. BMIHT frequently is inconsistent in listing optional equipment.

I'd like to see that Healey. Len Lord had good taste or his daughter did.

 

[Keoke]

Well:
One thing is for sure if a car was specially ordered you could get anything you wanted to pay for.,and in most cases they did not follow the production standard.

For Example one of my BJ8's Heritage certificates shows it came with spun SS bullet type fender mirrors made by Talbot which cost $300.00 each.