• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Sorce a 3000?

Share this page

Aggudabbu

Aggudabbu

Senior Member
Offline
Hi All,

The names Alex a 23 year old youngster from Sweden, mostly been hanging around spridget BBS's until now. I'm a proud owner of a Sprite Mk1 with a speedwell monza bonnet, picture attached from before the resto started. the car has been under restoration for the past three years, now just needs some paint and then it's downhill from there. (hopefully)

cimg0146p.jpg


I've always loved the big healeys, a 3000 is what you could call my ultimate dream car but I'm afraid that I might never afford one over here. So I was thinking that I might have to look to your side of the pound to maybe source a car for a complete restoration. But I'm a bit at a loss on what I should have to expect to pay for one. You seem to be able to get somewhat solid cars for between 15-30 thousand $, not at all unreasonable it would seem. But then again I'm thinking that there must be some cars out there that are in really poor condition, right? Generally (what I think) I'm looking for is a complete car preferably LHD that is a basket case, but has it's papers in order. Metal can always be replaced even though the panels and body parts for these cars are expensive, but once you have a car the parts can be added successively. So now do you guys have any pointers on what I would have to expect to pay for an object like this in the U.S?

...if there ever is such a poor condition car like that out there for me so that I can afford it.

Cheers
Alex
 
Hi Alex, I do know of an Sprite for sale in the St. Louis area, if that's not too far away. Also a AHCA member has a AH 3000 for sale too, if interested send me a PM.

"I have this MG Midget for sale and I’m in the Lincoln NE area. I know you are affiliated with the St. Louis area Austin Healey club and was wondering if this could be posted on your website or forwarded to any of your members that might be interested. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Michael Limberg"
Craigs list ad https://lincoln.craigslist.org/pts/2782015187.html
 
Hi Alex,

You didn't mention which model 3000 you're looking for (there is a complete range of 2-seaters, 2+2s, roadsters, convertibles, etc.). If you're not familiar with the types go here: https://healey.org/content/view/10/158/

(there's also a lot more info on that site if you go to 'home')

The 'Phase 2' BJ8s--the last model produced--are usually more expensive than all but a few of the others. For instance, you might find a BJ7 or BT7 for $20K that is in much better shape than a BJ8 for $30K, but if your heart's set on a BJ8 you'll have to pay more for a good one.

Suggest you balance shipping costs vs. finding a car from a 'dry' state like California, Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico. Unless you are a pro 'panel beater' it's almost always best to start with the best metal you can get. Generally, but not always, cars from the northeastern US have more rust issues.

This is just my opinion, but I'd look for a complete car rather than a basket case; you won't know for sure if all the important parts are in the 'basket.'
 
Thanks for your replies guys, Rick I'll keep those pages bookmarked.

I'm still only in speculation stages, and shipping and import taxed should come in at around 3 K's, it's also very important that I get a car with the correct papers so I can register it over here, there are quite strict regulations about that kind of stuff in the E.U unfortunately.

Bob unfortunately I would prefer a BJ8. But any four seater convertible would do fine if the price is right. I know what you mean with buying a complete car but those are usually more expensive aren't they?
 
We've had lots of discussions on this forum about how much some basket case 'cars' are worth. This is a huge SWAG (scientific wild-arsed guess), but it appears a basket case--assuming all parts are there, a big if--is worth about 30-40% of the price of the same car intact. Problems with basket cases are a) how much damage was done tearing down the car and b) how many parts were lost. I have to think shipping a collection of parts would be more trouble than shipping an entire car--you'll probably have to pay someone to box up the parts for you--but if you can find the right seller or agent it might work out OK.
 
To get an idea of prices in the US, you can look at the listings on eBay. If you eventually see something you like, you might be able to find a club member close to the car who will examine it for you before bidding.
 
Back
Top