• Notice: If you're posting to get rid of the little man (Lucas), please post A NEW TOPIC with something meaningful. Tell us about yourself and your interest in British cars. You need not share anything too personal. NOTE: this New Member's Forum is only to introduce yourself. If you have specific questions about your little British car, please post those in the appropriate marque-related forum.
    Thanks and welcome to BCF!
    Basil
  • 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
Tips
Tips

New Healey Owner!

Share this page

E

Eric_M

Freshman Member
Offline
Hello Everyone,

My name is Eric, and I have been a loyal fan of British sports cars since my very first ride in my dad's '67 Austin-Healey as a child...I’ll never forget the fascinating sound of the engine, the neat toggle switch overdrive, and perhaps most of all, the look and feel of that original Healey interior, complete with walnut dashboard. It’s been more than 20 years, and now I can’t wait to drive one for myself!

That brings me to my new project: My dad recently gave me his other, 1960 3000 Mk I Healey, BT7 chassis, Florida Green over Ivory White. A full on restoration began almost 25 years ago, but for various reasons my dad never got around to finishing it. The car is currently in pieces three thousand miles away in my home state of NY, and will need extensive work. I have many questions, and I am looking forward to learning from my fellow Healey owners as I embark on this exciting journey!

Eric
 
Welcome, Eric!

We've a very active Healey community here, so you're in good hands.

And don't forget to post pictures!

:cheers:
Mickey
 
Sounds like a great project! You will have lots of help here - we have a very active Austin Healey group here.
 
Hi Eric, Welcome this is a great place to find the answers to all those questions and also somewhere to post your own solutions and ideas on LBC's. Don't forget the pictures!
 
Hi Eric, and welcome to the Forum! :savewave:
 
Eric,
Welcome and this group can answer all your questions. Sometimes, it will be the right answer too!

I have two Healeys and both were purchased in pieces. IE: all the way down to the frame. so the delivery of the boxes of parts and body pieces was a big jigsaw puzzle. My wife and I actually decided that we like doing the puzzles so I am sure you can complete your dad's project. The key is to find pictures and ask questions. Many of us have lots of pictures. What you have to do is sometimes determine which year of car is in the pictures and if the restoration is going back to original, or close to original. Also, plan ahead what you want to "change" on the car. IE: if you are going to put a modern oil filter on, plan for that while the engine is out of the car. If you are going to improve the heat shields, do that and the throttle bushings prior to having the engine in the car.
Looks like a good project, have a good time. We finished our BJ8 two years ago and already have 3000 miles on it. Love to drive it.

Jerry
BN4
BJ8
TR3A
 
:savewave: Welcome!
 
Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm feeling a little excited and overwhelmed right now, but I know I'll settle down and get going on it soon. My goal is to make the car as original as possible, while maybe making some simple drivability upgrades that are easy to undo (e.g. the modern oil filter). The other exception has to do with my tall (6'5") frame. If my BT7 is similar to my dad's BJ8, then I am going to need to put the drivers seat back a good 2 or 3 inches from its original mounted position. Any thoughts?

>Eric
 
Hi Eric,

"Welcome" to the BCF. As you already are aware; "THEE" best LBC site on any planet.

Best Wishes with the project especially making the "6-5ft" adjustment.

Russ
 
Back
Top