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Wow - Car #271 all aluminum on Ebay

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Harold brandner

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There is something strange about this car. A friend of mine has BN1 # 52, according to the Healey heritage folks, but it does not have all aluminum bodywork. It did have an aluminum trunk and may have had an aluminum hood (that was missing on the car I know, and was replaced with a steel hood), but the fenders were still steel. Maybe I am missing something, but I don't recall hearing that early production 100's had all aluminum bodywork, I thought they had steel fenders from the beginning.

The only all aluminum Healey 100 I have seen was that beautifully polished racing model that was displayed and driven vigorously at Open Roads 2002 at Lake Tahoe. Perhaps this is another one, but I have my doubts.

Bill.
 
Did some research. Turns out the Warwick built pre production cars from 1952-1953 were the only all aluminum ones and only 20 were made. The Longbridge ones built from May 1953 on were a mix of steel/alu.

Description says all upper body aluminum. So I guess that doesn't include the fenders then?
 
My dad has a '53 BN1, with aluminum hood and trunk, but steel fenders. I don't know the serial number off hand, but I will try and get it. It only has 22,000 original miles, and has never been restored. It drives like a dream - nice and tight!
 
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Did some research. Turns out the Warwick built pre production cars from 1952-1953 were the only all aluminum ones and only 20 were made. The Longbridge ones built from May 1953 on were a mix of steel/alu.
Description says all upper body aluminum. So I guess that doesn't include the fenders then?

[/ QUOTE ]
I have a reference that says "fenders were changed to steel at the outset of production, (body #21) though some unrestored early Longbridge-produced cars have been found with aluminum fenders."

Maybe this IS one of them. The part about floor panel work doesn't seem to me to be consistent with the rest of the condition description. I would certainly insist on seeing good documentation of history before paying that much.
D
 
gonna ask the guy if the fenders are aluminum or steel
 
I doubt its one of the 20, but if it is then wow. Something more rare than a 100S
 
" Lights in later cars were lowered for more clearance."

Weren't the headlights actually raised after the first show car was built?

Can't be sure from the pictures but nothing looks different in the head lights and signal lights. Not sure what he means? I can't believe someone will pay what he asking in the condition the car is in ( not great). I have put this on my eBay watch for the fun of it. And another eBay rant. Is every car and car part on eBay RARE. I love when I see something like - MK III Mini tail lights - Rare. MGB headlights Very Rare . And this Healey is Ultra Rare. Not sure where that ranks in raredom.

If this picture works here is what a 1953 BN 1 all aluminum looks like.

1953 BN1.jpg
 
Wow that all aluminum looks great!

Heres what the guy replied:
"Hello, the wings and doors are steel,very few were complete aluminum, my
friend has car 51 and it is this way also."

So asking price for this is very steep since its just a low numbered bn1
 
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Bruce Bowker said: If this picture works here is what a 1953 BN 1 all aluminum looks like.

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Is that Blair Harber's Healey? I've seen that one, beautiful car! That guy has a great collection - one of the 20 pre-production Healey's, (I believe) the first series production Healey, and I believe one other one as well...
 
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Harold Brandner said: If this picture works here is what a 1953 BN 1 all aluminum looks like.


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Research, research, research...

A lot of stuff is claimed about cars, and always has before E-Bay, just that E-Bay spreads the word faster. As another example... there was a Lotus Cortina Mk 1 on E-Bay recently, apparently was supposed to be ex-works race car from New Zealand, enough guys on the Cortina listserve had encountered the car throughout a number of years to know that the "claimed" history was suspect. Someone did end up with the car and is now finding out about the suspect history.
 
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So asking price for this is very steep since its just a low numbered bn1

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I would say ULTRA steep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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There is something strange about this car. A friend of mine has BN1 # 52, according to the Healey heritage folks, but it does not have all aluminum bodywork.

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I have to agree with you Bill, something does seem strange. At first I thought someone was setting the car up to be raced. No bumpers, aluminum everywhere, amp gauge, missing fuel tank. That's still a possibility. I would question the statement about the wiring harnesses being in good shape. It would make a great restoration project, but not sure of the heritage, or if the costs of restoration could ever be recovered. Just my opinion. If the car could be bought for say $15k to $18k maybe.
 
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Heres what the guy replied:
"Hello, the wings and doors are steel,very few were complete aluminum, my friend has car 51 and it is this way also."

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, I'll now that we have defined what "with ALL upper body of alluminum" means, I willing to take offers for my 1957 BN4 with "with ALL upper body of alluminum" in good running condition starting at $24,000 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Looks like the 1953 BN1 on eBay has dropped $10,500 from his original listed price but still has a reserve.
 
Sounds and looks like a $10,500 car to me, It'll take $24,600 to get the restoration going.

Did he imply or state that the deck lids are aluminum? Or, is this presently unconfirmed?
 
I just recently bought a 66 BJ8 good driver for less than his starting price!
 
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