Pre-Purchase Inspection in Redmond, Washington

[60TR3A]

I am looking at a BJ8 being offered for sale at a dealership in Redmond, WA and would like to hire an expert to go and do a thorough inspection of the car. Can anyone recommend someone to me? Thanks, Jeff

 

[60TR3A]

I have since heard from the dealer that they have a pending sale so unless it falls through, I won't be needing a PPI in WA after all.

 

[Editor_Reid]

Assuming you still need a PPI, one idea would be Steve Day of the British Car Ranch in Wenatchee WA. He's a Healey specialist. Not sure he could take the time away from his shop to make the 125+ mile trip though. The round trip plus the inspection would kill a whole day.

There may be other options with people who live closer to Redmond. Norm Dupuis is prez of the Cascade Austin-Healey Club of Washington and may be able to recommend someone. His email is normdupuis@msn.com

If the car you're thinking of is this one, that's a Phase 1 BJ8. VERY cool.

 

[60TR3A]

Indeed that is the car but there is a deal pending (darn!) so I just missed out on it. If the deal falls through then I will place a deposit and get the car looked at by whoever Norm Dupuis recommends because I really like this car a lot! Thanks for the help!

 

[BJ8Healeys]

When considering whether to buy a BJ8, one thing many people overlook is verifying that the car is what it is advertised to be before putting their money down. By that I mean if it is being advertised as HBJ8L/12345, then you won't find out later that it was HBJ8L/54321 when it left the factory. Of course, if that isn't important to you, forget what I said and go for it. You wouldn't believe how many BJ8s are out there now with reproduced VIN, body, engine serial number plates, plates from other cars, etc.

The person who bought the car in Redmond, WA contacted the BJ8 Registry beforehand and together we established that it was, in fact, what it claimed to be, although the VIN plate was a reproduction.

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[60TR3A]

I've moved on from that WA car because it's obviously sold since the seller never responded to two emails I sent via Hemmings. I came within minutes of paying Kurt Tanner a big pile of money to finish a 1965 BRG BJ8 he has that he bought 18 months ago that had supposedly had the engine rebuilt and the suspension rebuilt, new brakes, etc. and he would do the interior to my specifications so it would look like a fresh restoration in my colors of choice. However, when I pressed him to provide documentation of the supposed mechanical work he said he couldn't/wouldn't so I walked away. He's turned into a used car salesman/cosmetician who makes cars pretty but you don't know if it's lipstick on a pig or a genuinely good car because he's relying on his reputation as a quality restorer of Healeys. I've now got my sights on a pristine and unique TR3A since I can't find the BJ8 I really want.

 

[BJ8Healeys]

My comment about verifying the integrity of a car before buying it also applies to excellent restorations performed by well-known restorers. I could tell you some very surprising stories. A non-restored car was offered on eBay recently that duplicated the VIN for another car that was sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2010. The two were obviously not the same car. I could not get a convincing explanation for that, but to my knowledge nothing changed.
Be careful! And be aware that the BJ8 Registry currently documents details and history for more than 54% of total BJ8 production (9,575 of 17,712 cars built). That is a database available for checking advertising claims and vehicle history, if you care to do so.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Don't give up on the car you really want (a BJ8). I've seen several apparent cream puffs come around in the last couple years in the $50-60K (asking) range. One was an original MGB [Metallic Golden Beige] car that looked bone stock except for having an alternator--and probably a neg. gnd. conversion--on the autox email list (I almost jumped on it, but decided my BN2 needed more love; I'm still waiting for my 100S barn find). Both Healey clubs have magazines with classified sections; you'd likely find something in those.

Edit: A good friend just bought what appears to be a pristine, low miles BJ7 at B-J for $45K. This the second time she went to B-J looking for an early Corvette, first time she came back with an MG-TC (yeah, she's impulsive).

 

[60TR3A]

I love my BJ7 so it's not that I need another Healey. My first car back in 1964 was a TR3 so I'm also very partial to them. I'm almost certain I'm buying this pristine and very original 1960 TR3A:

The interior is original and the miles are believed to be accurate. Even the colors are all exactly as the car was born with, including the weather gear and the factory radio.

 

[Jerry]

Verifying that work is done is very important. A friend bought a Morris Minor that was supposed to be rebuilt. Turns out the motor had bad valves, and now a clutch that has gone out. If rebuilt, neither would have happened in the low mileage that my friend put on the car. I am finishing up an Austin Healey BJ8 and keep all the receipts for the car. I can't prove all the parts went into the car but I can describe the work since I built every part of the car. I tell people to find out if there were other cars done by the same person and ask for references.