Joeq,
Only second thoughts? I have only had mine a little over two years and have thought many times about a new little Beck Spyder 550 replica, Kirkham Cobra replica, Daytona replica......... hummmmm. Problem with most of the really cool roadsters are that they are really way too pricey unless your rolling in the dough. Unless one goes the replica route. The Big Healey for me was an affordable REAL roadster. I was seriously mistaken when I thought once restored it would be 100% reliable. Thought so last night on the way to the dirt track races when the BT7 simply stopped running. Well my experience told me it could only be 1 of 2 things, spark or fuel delivery. I popped the hood, checked the rotor and wires, seemed OK. I pulled the rear seatpan and checked for fuel, yep no fuel delivery. My buddy says, you have a spare fuel pump? Yep I sure do but I may not need it! I couple whacks with a phillips screwdriver handle and splash we have fuel pressure. In less than 10 mins we were back on the road. Wow, even I can do that kind of repair.
Since having met my "mistress" I learned how to the rebuild a front end, replace rear leaf springs, rebuild carbs, rebuild a transmission, replace brakelines and fuel lines. The list goes on, and on. Anyway, do I feel confident that she won't breakdown, no. But each time she does I learn what to do next time, to stay calm, to use logic, and to always carry spare rotor, dist cap, fuel pump, exhast mount and anything else I have that will bolt on and could potentially break in the wild. I wish I could figure a way to carry my spare transmission. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
OK look. To reduce the anxiety of breakdown parinoia be sure you are familiar with your car, carry all the spares you can, and enjoy the ride. Sometimes a breakdown can be an adventure in itself. Today I plan to put quick connects on the fuel pumps wires, and on the spare. I may even try to mount the spare. Anybody know if its ok to run a fuel pump inline but not have it powered on?
Joe did I mention that there are no questions about your car that cannot be answered? Just ask here.
Hope you keep your mistress, I know I will, just for a few more weeks, or well just until after I fix this current problem. See I say that each time I have a breakdown, problem is once I fix her and drive I decide to keep her just a little while longer..... Guess I'm Healey whipped.
BTW thanks for saying what most of us probably think about but usually don't utter the words outloud unless it immediatly follows a knuckle buster and expletative. (sp)
Tracy