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New Record Asking-Price for a Healey

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Editor_Reid

Editor_Reid

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Some of you may be familiar to some degree with the 100S previously owned by Fred Hunter of Kansas City, now deceased. However, only a few people are aware of its complete history. This is a very special Healey, even among special Healeys.

I believe that this is a record asking price for any car bearing the name Healey. Here's a link to the ad:
Ex-Fred Hunter 100S
 
Oh, I already have a red one. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Quite the patina. So .. question is, after shelling out around $400K does one 'restore' it or keep it as is?
 
You and me both Dave, I've been asking for only $399k. So far, I still have the car /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif
 
Wasn't this car at the 2002 International event at Lake Tahoe? I think I remember seeing it.

It is a pretty rough car, but NOJ393 shows up in lots of Healey histories and racing venues.

Still, I would think $400K a bit of a stretch for this car. But I'm not in the market for one right now!
 
I'm no expert, obviously, but I would think this is among the top five, or so, of unique Healy’s.

I would also count in, or near, that group of five, or so, the black and pink 100M that sold recently on EBay. Did it sell for around $80k?

The 100M was pretty close to pristine, as I recall, NOJ393 could stay in it's 'patina'ed condition, but really, in my opinion, to be happy, it should be restored to the condition it was in when it left the works. Nitrocellulose paint, concurs wiring harness, whatever you could do to pull out all the stops. That type of restoration is going to top $100k

Based upon those assumptions, say the 100s is twice(?), three times(?) as unique as the black and pink 100m, I would think that the 100s would have a value of 2-3 times the 100M minus about 1/2, or maybe none, of the of the restoration costs.

So, again, just a fan's opinion...a low of $110k (I don't think so) to a high of $240k. (At 3x the $80k value of the aforementioned 100M)

Now, will the wife let me mortgage the home, for a 2nd old red car?
 
like most things that live a full and thrilling life, she's pickup a few bumps and bruises along the way. I rather like the patina. If she were mine, I wouldn't restore her.
 
John Loftus said:
Quite the patina. So .. question is, after shelling out around $400K does one 'restore' it or keep it as is?
Click to expand...

It's a very tough call on a car such as this one. Of course, it started life as one of the 19 (that number subject to some discussion) "Special Test Cars" hand built at the Donald Healey Motor Company in early 1953 while Austin was still gearing up for series production, which began about May I believe. That alone makes it a very rare and special car.

Then of course there is its racing history. Sebring and Mille Miglia finishes also make it rare and special.

Then of course in 1955 it was "re-manufactured" into one of the 50 100S models, which are also rare and special. But this car is absolutely unique in having been one of the Special Test Cars and one of the 100S cars. So, even if you did decide to restore it, you have to begin by deciding which of its "lives" it should be restored to, and no matter what you decide, some incarnation of the car will be lost.

In my book, from the standpoint of Healeys with an interesting history, I would probably rate this one at the very top. Fortunately for me, at the price at which it will likely sell, I won't be the one who has to decide if and how to restore it.
 
dar100 said:
Healey Museum?
Click to expand...

Wow! The vibes must have been strong: I originally included that thought in my post above, but deleted it before posting it. Yes, it would certainly be an option for the Healey Museum to acquire it, if Alan Casavant can afford it (and I believe he can!). It might indeed be the best fate for it.

Frankly I'd hate to see somebody buy it, restore it, and then go vintage racing in it.
 
Far be from me to correct Editor Reid, but I believe there were no more than five "special test cars". The quantity of 19 he refers to is the run of pre-production Austin-Healeys that were built so the new car could be promoted by dealers.
NOJ 391 was indeed one of the "special test cars".
I have had a chance to inspect its sister car, NOJ 392.
Although it has the same appearance as a 100 BN1, it is very different from a standard car. The built-up scuttles are fabricated in light alloy sheet and rivetted to the chassis. All the external body panels seem to be a lighter gauge alloy than even the "production" 100S cars.
The "special test cars" were very light cars!
Regards, Alwyn
 
pan said:
Far be from me to correct Editor Reid...
Click to expand...

Some people around here seem to live for the opportunity, but I foil their perverse satisfaction by actually thanking them for corrections.

Thank you. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif

There were 19 pre-production cars, some of which were Special Test Cars. NOJ392 metamorphosed into the 100M prototype, no?
 
As it was actually raced at Le Mans, it cetainly is one of the prototype 100Ms.
Alwyn
 
Hi there - I've been away for a couple of months due to a relocation.

This ad might put the cat among the pigeons so to speak.

The ad says the car finished 11th in the 1955 Mille Miglia (driven by George Abercassis and the best ever result for an Austin Healey in that race)

In the race the car wore the registration OON 440. There is however another red 100S that now wears that registration. Its in that well known Healy collection in the UK, and it also claims to be the car that finshed 11th in the Mille Miglia.....hmmmm?

There is a long story of how Freds car came to run in the Mille Miglia, it was loaned to Donald Healey by Ship & Shore motors, to replace a damaged car. And it wore the registration OON 440.

Another interesting Healey mystery? This one however could have major financial repercussions. I'll leave that for others to sort out.....

cheers
 
Hi DerekJ, Me thinks they should have kept you away another 30 DAYS !---Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Asking prices don't set records. Getting that amount would. And that car may well do it. I would agree with whom ever said it would be great for the AH Museum, and also to keep it as is.Bob
 
I'm not sure the Geoff Healey letter (on the auction website)specifically identifies the car...
 
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