Why Do You Own a Healey Today?

[cechiodo]

Good question! Always been a car guy, grew up in a car family in Corning NY and used to go the Glen for all manner of things. From when I can remember we would pack up for the day and go for F1, CanAm, NASCAR, Indy, Ferrari Club meets, IMSA, SCCA; anything and everything. Saw a lot as a youngster and much of it was special. I remember to this day being all of 8yrs old and watching Graham Hill drive thru the pits 2 feet away from us and then win the race! Needless to say I was hooked and never far from a car magazine or racing news.

During college, one of my roommates had a '68 MkIII. This was back when a decent driver was $1500 in upstate NY! We spent a bunch of time in that car, one weekend we were in Corning and my Mom mentioned that they had hoped to buy a Healey when they were married. Her father bought them a '57 T-bird instead - oh well. I filed that away and before my lovely wife and I had children I scraped enough money together to buy a running, driving car. That was in 1989. It went through a longish restoration by a semi-competent mechanic and remains a faithful driver. Sir Leaksallot has been with me ever since and hopefully for the rest of my time with this mortal coil.

Chris

 

[bob hughes]

My friends brother was a used car salesman and talked a lot about Austin Healeys, I must say that the seed was sown and in 1973 I bought a BN4 - John Chatham rebuilt the engine and also sorted out the body rust with new fibre glass wings ( fenders) and some new (second hand) metal doors. It should have been sprayed blue over white but it came out all blue. When I pointed this out to John all he said was - what do you expect me to do about it, I said - nothing, I'm driving it away and that was it. Sadly crashed it some years later and wrote it off. Bought a rusty old BN4 in the mid to late 90's with the view to doing it up, but it was a job too far. In 2002 I bought the BJ7 as a rolling restoration, and my wallet has never been closed since. I have carried out most of the work myself, new floors, repaired wings, new electrics and rebuilt the engine etc. the car has always been on the road each year for the Goodwood revival, this year I am taking a rest from restoration to just drive it - lol, so far this year I have replaced the starter motor, bought interior rear quarter panels - yet to be fitted, sorted out the distributor, sorted out the shims on a front wheel and replaced the down pipes from the manifold, an easy year really! compared with other years.



Bob

 

[spartan0199]

Inherited from my father. One of my earliest memories is trying to snap that tonneau cover in place on the passenger side when I was around 5 year old. Couldn't do it!

 

[hama61]

Almost 40 years ago I saw in a glimpse a blue / whitecar. I did not have the slightest idea what kind of model it was. Years later Inoticed the car in library book ( internet was not common in those days ) and read that almost 90 per cent of these carswere exported to the US. As we have family living on the East Coast of the US Ihad the idea to have our relative looking for a nice not to expensive car. Headvised it was better to find/buy a dry state car and for years he had sent meeach month a copy of Hemmings. Funny enough each time when I was close todecide to buy a car either the prices went up or I lost interest due to the common stuff like buyinga house / study / work / children etc. The story continuous that some 10 yearsago I bought unseen a 1958 blue / white BN4 in the US followed by a BN 7 three years later. As we have three children itis our intention to give them all a Austin Healey , so we are still looking for a third one.

 

[HEALEYJAG]

Because I am a gluton for punishment...no..that's why I have 2 old british cars.....enjoy the smell of gas..love grease under my fingernails...and the wind in my hair and the sound of a well tuned british car..


Pete

 

[Randy Forbes]

I honestly don't know why I own a Healey today. I bought it when I was twenty-four (24) (I'm 59 now) so there may not have been a good reason to have bought it even then.

I can cite several instances in my youth growing up of noticing them, probably the first time was seeing a neighbor of my oldest brother's (then) in-laws. It was a Sunday, and he'd just returned home from racing it (someplace in or near the greater Detroit area). It was definitely Ice Blue, possibly a 2-seater (but certainly without roll-up windows). If I had to guess, this would've been around 1961 - 63. I bought/built a 1/32 scale model of it (coincidentally, molded in the same hue of blue plastic; Monogram maybe?) not long afterwards, so from then on, I could always identify when I'd see one. I knew friend's of friends that had Healeys later on, so I was aware of them.

I've had BN6L-942 this long, so I guess I'm just supposed to keep it. It's not as though it goes unused, I actually drive it a fair amount; it's in a rotation with a few other cars I have, but still gets driven at least weekly, and always with gusto!

 

[PCullen]

This is really a strange story, how I acquired my AH3000 bj7.

I"m a complete MG nut!!!. Have owned several of these cars , a Midget, MGBs and an MGA. Truth is , I really enjoy rebuilding and sorting them , more than driving them!!!. I believe there are other Nuts like myself who have this strange affliction. Anyway , in my part of the country, I would be known as a person who can sort out "Old Cars" . I try to help people with their problems , as long as they bring their cars to me , I do my best for them. As problem solving is a challenge I enjoy, I refuse any form of payment as the challenge is payment enough for me. Now --- I was never in a position financially to consider buying an AH , so when a local guy approached me to try and get his car working, I was pleased to have a go. He had previously had other "Technicians" try to get this car going , without any success. The car had not been used for a period of 6 years, she would start, splutter and emit clouds of smoke and conk out. I did all the usual, drained the tank, new fuel filter (old one was full of Varnish!!) , service"d and balanced the Carbs Guess what, she still ran like a pig!!. Took the cover off and discovered that one of the tappets had come loose. Reset all the tappets , set the timing, fired her up and she ran like a Ladies Watch!!.
I then called the owner and told him his car was ready to take away. So the Guy comes , offers to pay me, I tell him I don't charge for my time, just pay for the service parts and fuel I had put into the car . "You really love this Car" he said. "I do" was my reply. He explained that he really didn't have the time to use the car and asked would I be interested in buying it from him. "I would love to buy it , but could never afford it" I said. He then told me what he had paid for it all those years ago. I was a bargain then and I gave him what he had paid, and am now in the process of a full stripdown and rebuild. Strange , isn't it how one can come to own one of these Beauties!!.

 

[Bobbydsport]

My first car in 1959 was a '56 BN2. Drove it through high school then traded it for a '58 Impala in '61 when I went into the service. In '63 while still in the service I bought another '56 BN2 with a factory hardtop. Sold it in '65 when I got married for $250. I now have a '67 BJ8. They just get in your blood.

Bobbyd

 

[MarshgrassA]

Still don't own a Healey...yet...but still looking.
I have wanted a Big Healey since the early 70's when I had a nice used MGB. Always had a passion for LBC's and figured after kids tuition and mortgage payments were gone I'd be able to get one to play with as I crept toward retirement. Well it seems everyone else had the same idea and the prices for a nice car just kept climbing. I ended up with a really nice MGA about 7 years ago and a beautifully restored TR4A about 4 years ago. I enjoy both my cars a lot but can't shake the Healey bug.
I would like an early 100 because of the rakish look when the windshield is down but would not pass up a nice 2 seater BN6, a nice 63, a nice tricarb or a really nice BJ8. Of course I have the 3 C's requirements (cost, condition and color)!

Cheers,
Irene

 

[ch47insp]

I have owned British cars since 1968 and fell in love with the big Healey's when my brother in law took me for a ride in his around the same time frame. Almost bought a big Healey (I was the second in line to purchase but High School student talked his mother into buying it for him) in 1971 and then life came along. I owned sports cars most of my adult life but it wasn't until I retired, that my wife asked me what kind of car I have always wanted to own. Of course the answer was a big Healey so the search was on. Found a nice BT7 Tri carb in early 2014, purchased it and have thoroughly enjoyed it since.

 

[BigGreen]

... my wife asked me what kind of car I have always wanted to own. Of course the answer was a big Healey so the search was on. ... purchased it and have thoroughly enjoyed it since.

Same here, after looking for a Jaguar XJS I bought a BJ8 from 67

 

[blueskies]

That's interesting, CH47insp. Many of us on this forum may not be quite as young as we once were. I also bought my first British car, a 100-6, as a teenager in 1968. I loved that silver blue two seater, and it served me well while in college in the US. It was (and still is) a toss up about what I like better - Austin Healeys or C1/C2 Corvettes and Chevy muscle cars. Both have their own charm. While the Healey did not have the brute force of a Chevy big block, I still can visualize flipping that overdrive switch for the first time as the car ran out of revs in fourth gear. As the car again gained speed, my passenger and I both grinned broadly, oblivious to the fact that the car was traveling far too fast for those old bias ply tires. I do have a nice blue 1961 3000 to drive now, and am working on a BN4 and a BJ7. If all goes well, and with more help from this forum, the BJ7 may be back on the road later this year. The BN4 will likely take longer.

 

[roscoe]

I'm surprised I haven't added my story because this is the kind of thread that sucks me in. When I was in high school in 1969, there was a service station across the street from the school in Glen Head, NY. The guy who owned it was a silver haired fellow names Jens (Austrian I believe). He had a silver 100, although that was an unusual color for one, he looked way cool driving it around town. My friends were all about American muscle cars and couldn't understand why I'd get that 1000 yard stare when I heard him fire it up. I specifically remember springtime when the class windows were opened and that sound drifted in. Jump ahead about 35 years, now living with my wonderful supportive wife and during a discussion one evening she said "why don't you see if you can find a car to rebuild"? Healey memories came flooding back and the search was on. I have the late Norman Nock to thank for persuading me that I wanted a 100 and not a later car. I like simple. Found one in need of almost everything and spent about 6 years of on and off time. It never fails to make me smile when I push the start button (yup, even if it doesn't).

 

[tahoe healey]

My best friends sister worked at BMC in San Francisco and owned n MGA. Lots of fun rides with her. When I graduated college I bought an MGB-GT and raced it. Lots of fun. Then moved up to an XK140 and had it 14 years. I sold it when I moved to Tahoe figuring it was not a snow car and sold it. Well there a ton of old collector cars here. In 2012 we had over 600 Healey here for the international event. I talked to several owners and my wife said "just do it, I know how much you miss the Jag". I bought a fixer upper two months later and now have a real show car. We got so much involved with Healeys that I have become the president of the GGAHC (the Northern California club) to give back what has been given to me. The Healey has been the best because when you buy a Healey, you get a "family".
TH

 

[pan]

That's quite a question Rick! Think back to 1964: my older brother had a MGTF. Five of us went to the Beatles concert in that car! Then for my 15th birthday he took me to Lakeside, a circuit near Brisbane. I recall thinking "will there still be old sports cars around when I can drive"! Only a couple of years later I'm walking through a car park with a pal and we come across a TC. My pal was looking for a VW, but changed his mind and ended up with the MG. Then another pal got himself a frog eye Sprite. I had to get something faster! Sports Car World (a local magazine) did a feature on a 100S and that did it, I had to have a Healey!

 

[Michael Oritt]

Good topic Rick.

Though I cut my LBC teeth on a TR3 in 1962 I acquired a low-mileage 1960 BN7 and loved that car to death. Several years later I traded it on a 1963 BJ7 but I always liked the two-seat roadster better.

Fast forward about 35 years--through an early Jaguar XKE, a 1965 Porsche 356 SC (I wish I still had that!), several BMW's from an early 2002 to a 535, then back to a TR3 project and some motorcyles to a period when I was more involved with boats and did not care about cars--to 1999:

I was feeling the urge to have something interesting to drive and began to contemplate getting back into motorcycles when I remembered my last accident and how long it took for those broken ribs to heal. I realized that I had probably not gotten any more resilient in the ensuing years and my attention span had certainly suffered so I turned back to LBC's and remembering my fondness for the BN7 I began looking around. I found the 100 for sale fairly nearby and did the deal.

 

[terp83]

I was in the United States Air Force in the late 1960's. During a midnight shift, a group of us airmen were sitting around shooting the breeze, when one of the group (also an Ohio native) mentioned that two high school classmates and himself drove to Florida and back in a 1962 Austin-Healey 3000. There was just something wanderlust about that statement that never left me. After the Air Force, I went to college, and shortly after graduation, I found myself in need of a daily driver. After much looking, I bought a 1965 BJ8 (forty-two years ago this month). The next year, it was involved in a collision. While looking for replacement parts for the BJ8, I happened across a 1962 BT7 for sale and bought it. I still have both Healeys. The 1962 is my driver, and the 1965 is still undergoing a slow restoration. Based upon where in Ohio I purchased the 1962, it actually might be the Healey in the story that inspired my ownership.

Jerry

 

[aeronca65t]

Really enjoyed reading all the stories here.

I've never really owned a "big" Healey. I got a chance to buy a 100-4 from a co-worker in the Summer of '70. It ran great, but he wanted $300! (I offered $200).

My Dad really loved T-series MGs (although he never owned one) so that probably started some of this. And I was born in England, so maybe that affected my preferences a bit.

The first sports car I can really remember was a turquoise MGA in my neighborhood in Toronto when I was six years old (in '57). Of course, that colour was also used on big Healeys .

In '65 I bought an ~Austin A40~ "woods car.

And in '67, I bought my first street-legal car: a ~1956 MGA~.

After a series of cars (Mini, P-1800, TR-3, etc) I bought a ~Bugeye~ in '70. I immediately took it autocrossing.

This was followed by a ~1967 Sprite~ the following year.

I have never NOT owned a Spridget since then. (admittedly some of those Spridgets were Healeys and some were MGs) :friendly_wink:

(below)Me and my pals at a Fort Dix autocross around '70 (the guy in the striped shirt had an MGA coupe...he has a Spitfire today).

More photos of my old cars ~HERE~

 

[Keoke]

Well I was home just as happy as I could be with my 1940 ford deluxe coupe when an attorney friend of mine
came by and said lets go buy a Healey. I said a WHAT!! "He said a Healey sports car I said I swill tag along.. We went to several show rooms and i marveled at the prices for them little cars with the Chevy six cylinder engine under the hood. He saw a Healey green one that caught his fancy and bought it on the spot a week later he sent to The Late Norman Knock for a complete engine rebuild. Upon its return I got a chance to drive it man it really moved.So i started looking for one in the Junk Yards but they were just too bad ,others at dealers were sold by the time i got there. Finally one day i was going down Lincoln Blvd and I saw this red Healey in a show room. the dealer made me a price and sent me to his finance co to complete the purchase. Guess what- he had not completed the purchase and they sold me the car for the balance owed to them.
The dealer was very unhappy with me he would have made a $400.00 comission on the sale so I paid him the $400.00 bucks and drove my little red home. Little Red and I have been friends every since that day even though on some days I called it some very unfriendly names.----:glee:

 

[TimK]

My wife thought a classic car would be a good investment in 1981 when the stock market was in the tank and inflation rampant. I had a history with MGB's including SCCA racing, but when I was an early teen, my brother took care of a series of LBC's owned by a family friend and neighbor. The first was an MG TF-1500, then a MGA, and finally an Austin Healey (BJ7) I think. That was the cream of the crop. So when my wife gave the green light, I started looking in the newspaper (no internet then) and quickly found one advertised -- a 1960 BN7 brought to Michigan from California as a restoration project that stalled. I paid about $3500. It wouldn't start when I came to pick it up. The owner was not home. I noticed a charred ground cable and figured a bad ground due to a failed shut off switch. With the tools I brought I was able to ground the cable directly to the frame and it started right up. Drove it home with a lot of blue smoke. Somehow determined I needed a new rocker shaft and pedestal bushes and got a replacement kit from Walt Blanck.

I found an experienced Healey mechanic and a professional painter working in a detailing shop who agreed to repair rust damage on the steel body panels and repaint the car in my choice of Colorado Red rather than original Healey Blue for $2,500. Over the years I have restored the interior and maintained it as needed. I'm now 70 with no one in the family with the interest or facilities to pass it on to. I'm still healthy and able to work on it, but it is hard for me to tolerate the heat of the Healey and the heat of the summer, so short trips is all it gets. Maybe a new thread is needed on how and why I sold my Healey.