Does anyone else remember the Henry J? This 1951 Henry J looks pretty solid, although it does have a few problems. Doesn’t it just look like a character from a children’s book or one of those Car movies? It looks all sad and lonesome, like a child who has been put in time out. Rather than being put in the corner it was put in this barn, back in 1976 and never let out. What character will it play in it’s new life? It could be left as is, restored all shiny and new looking with it’s old Jeep engine, or perhaps turned into a sleeper with a Chevy small block hiding under the patina. It could even be an all out gasser! The old Henry J looks complete and it’s mostly stock, although there is a road viewing hole in the passenger’s side floor. Personally, I’d fix the floor, the mechanicals, and leave the patina. It’s listed here on eBay in Monument, Oregon with a BIN of $6500. So what would you do with this Henry?
After closing the hi-way viewing hole I would restore it.
Just a note: My aunt had 2 of these, successive years, when I was a kid. She loved them. Then, while attending Venice High School in Los Angeles, I worked in the Sepulveda A&W (car hops on roller skates and all) in Culver City. One evening one of these guys in full racing dress (dropped front axle, etc.) powered by a Big Block Chevy rolled through…. It was a cruising location. Since then, I have wanted one. Alas, age and distance….
I have wanted one of these for years. Ideally, I’d have two: one to do up absolutely bone-stock, the other to make look original, but with a few improvements, like better brakes/suspension and about 350 c.i. of horsepower.
Having driven a stocker much like this one — which, no surprise, was much like driving a hardtop Jeep — I would definitely go for the “fancy” model with the six-cylinder engine. Still not exactly a road-burner, but smoother and at least capable of staying out of everyone’s way during street driving.
Maybe I’d need three: having an “Allstate” would be cool, too!
Gasser all the way. Big motor straight axle open exhaust big and little torque thrusts. Flat black with most of the trim. And hang on. Would be hard to drive with my manhood stuck in the sterring wheel from the joy I would have with this.
I used to hitch rides home from college in the 70’s in one of these. My neighbor’s grandparents owned it and it was in pristine condition. I think it’s still around somewhere. I ‘m gonna’ snoop around in the barns around here. Hope I don’t a load of rock salt buck shot in the ass.
This is weird, Hemmings just featured one yesterday. To show you what they’re worth. This one seems a little steep.( hope it’s cool to feature this link, after all, if it wasn’t for Hemmings, I never would have known about “Barn Finds”)
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