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[needahealey]

Hi
I'm new to the forum and as you can tell I 'need a Healey' since I seem to have this addiction to them -- had chances to by other cars --MG's TR's etc but passed on them to wait for 'the right Healey'.! There are several concerns that I have however. the first is the availability. I am increasingly concerned that these cars will soon be out of my range and I will be forced to "just look". I have been advised to stay away from undercoated healey's due to the possible covering up of problems. this leads me to further questions such as once I find one am I going to be "plagued " with continual issues (I don't want to get into a 'money pit' if I can avoid it!)
Lastly, should I be looking now or is there a better time of year to find one?

TIA
Jeff

 

[Cutlass]

Welcome. Before you can get much help with your questions, you need to give some more info. Like: What model of Healey do you want; how much can you afford to spend; do you want to restore your car or not; how much mechanical ability do you have or want to learn, etc.

My guess is that by now finding a cherry big Healey only driven to Sunday School by the 82 year old grandmother, who doesn't really know what it's worth, but would sell it for $3000 is impossible. If you want to spend $35,000.00 for a really nicely restored BJ8, that won't be too difficult. Finding a restorable Healey for under $8-9,000 might be a problem. Between $10,000 and $35,000 there should be lots of choices, but you won't get a really nice 1967 BJ8 driver for close to the $10,000 range. If you get one that has never been restored, or has been partially restored badly, then be prepared for lots of issues. All that being said, I think the fun of the hobby is a combination of driving and restoring, so repair and maintenance issues, if you're prepared up front, are just part of the fun. Find and buy the best car you can afford. But be forewarned, the maintenance, repair and restoration of any classic car can be an expensive proposition. Healeys are no exception.

 

[Henri]

Jeff...welcome...as stated above you should have no problem finding a Healey...you have to first learn as much as possible about these cars...and that is not difficult...just reading these posts in this forum should help you...join a National Organization...such as USA Healey or a local one if there is one in your area...go to meetings...shows...wherever you can talk to other Healey owners...then once you understand what you are looking for you will be a better "buyer"...informed...look maybe to buy a car from a warm state...(no rust)...sometimes called "California" cars...others have been taken care of...and can be very nice as well...the better informed you are the better car buy you'll make...and yes...they are still available at reasonable pricing...it just depends on what you are looking for...a fix'er up or a fully restored car...(you get what you pay for)...good luck...and happy Healeying... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[Editor_Reid]

Hi Jeff,

Welcome to the Forum! This is a good place to collect information as you study and prepare for a purchase. Another good source is the website of the Austin-Healey Club USA. Click on "Resources" and then look through the section titled "Buying" with particular attention to the "Big Healey Overview."

Good luck, and once again, welcome to the Forum!

 

[bob hughes]

Hi Jeff
These cars are in the order of 40 years old, even with a 'fully restored' one you can not guarantee that all parts electrical or otherwise have been replaced with brand new. Over here it costs over £54,000 to bring one upto 'brand new' condition, even in the middle market range you will be putting your hand in your pocket occassionally. But there again, that is part of the fun. If you are worried about body/chassis rot, a close inspection with your fingers, a small hammer and screw driver is recommended tapping and prodding will always produce a result, either from the car or the owner!. Most of the carpets are easily removable so you can see the state of the cockpit floor from the top and it is also worth paying special attention to the boot floor, though in fairness these panels are reasonably cheap to replace, its the wings, doors and shrouds that cost. If you want some form of insurance as to what you are buying, it would be best to buy a restored vehicle if possible as any owner worth his salt would have taken photographs of his 'ground up' restoration, so unless he is utterly without scruples and has photos of someone elses car, you should have confidence in the basic shell at least.
At the end opf the day, you pays your money and takes your choice.
Good hunting
Bob
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