This 1958 Austin-Healey 100-6 looks to be a prime(r) restoration candidate. It’s unusual in that it has disc wheels and no overdrive, although I would be sourcing an overdrive transmission for a swap if I were the buyer. The car is located in Campbell, California, and is wearing a black license plate, so it’s probably been there for a while. It’s listed for sale here on craigslist for what seems to be a very reasonable $8,000.
It’s odd to see a “big Healey” with disc wheels and both bumpers intact (although the front one is missing the over-riders). I owned a 1959 100-6 (long enough ago that it was my daily driver for two years in college) and they are charming cars. The huge reserve of torque allows one to forgive the somewhat imprecise steering and excessive interior heat from the exhaust right below the driver’s floor (most of the time). Trivia time; there are large asbestos sheets on original cars that theoretically protect you from that heat. I’m sure they help, but it wasn’t enough in my car’s case!
It’s nice to see that the traditional factory rust-proofing system (i.e. the typical British car oil leakage) has combined with the California climate to keep the frame in reasonable shape. You can see plenty of rust in the sills and trunk floor, but those are very common to fix in this generation of Healey and can either be handled by a specialist or a dedicated home restorer. Don’t forget that the front and rear shrouds are aluminum, while the fenders, doors, hood, and trunk lid are steel, leading to electrolytic corrosion where the two dissimilar metals are bolted together. In other words, prepare for missing metal along the fender seams!
The interior looks complete but worn, as you might expect. This generation of Healey has what’s known as the “side-shift” transmission for obvious reasons; the late 3000s moved the shifter to the center of the tunnel and also featured a much more luxurious wooden dash. Personally, I like the cleanliness of this early dash although the increased suspension travel and roll-up windows of the late 3000s were much appreciated.
The Primrose yellow paint visible may well be the original paint; the seller thinks this is the original 2,639 cc type of engine (slightly less potent in the 100-6 than the 3000) which was good for 117 horsepower in its original form. I still wish it had the overdrive transmission instead of the standard four-speed, though!
Aren’t British Motor Heritage certificates wonderful? The seller points out that the last registration for the car was 1978; what a shame for a car like this to have only spent 20 or so years on the road! Are you the buyer to bring it back? Do any of you own or drive Big Healeys now? Let us know your thoughts!
My second favorite big Healey. After the two ’55 100s we got into the Porsche game and never went back to the big Healeys. Good price and good condition for restoring. The early 6 cylinder cars came over with quite a few wearing the disc wheels. To this day you see quite a few featured or for sale in the Healey club’s magazine.
They would love to have this back in England.
That was cheap, and already gone.
I had a 59 3000 (BT7) with steel wheels and I liked it as being a bit unique. Never got as much respect with local club owners as they looked at it as a poor man’s Healey who couldn’t afford wire wheels.
Disc wheels and no OD mean this has a 3.70 rear (if I recall correctly.)
When I was about 17 there was one of these available in NE Philly for $200. Bad engine… but I didn’t care. The disc wheels and 3.70 rear, in my mind, made it a prime candidate for a SBC transplant…. just a 283 with a quad is what I was thinking, with a BW T-10 4 speed.
I went home to get the money out of the bank. By the time I got back (next day) it was GONE.
I had such dreams!
S’OK…. I loved the ’58 100-6 with the ’66 3000 Mark III (BJ8) drivetrain that I DID have senior year in high school.
That is a beauty car at a reasonable price. It isn’t a rust bucket basket case. Kudos to whoever gets it.
I am sorting out the latest Lucas adventure with my Midget!
Wish I had just ONE of the thirteen Healy’s I had. Only 4-3000 (one ’62 tri-carb) 1-BT7 and 2-3000 BJ8. Half dozen bug eyed sprites and the rest straight fender sprite MK2. Bought most of them under 3K in the early 70’s. (I was bit hard by British cars). Also had a Jaguar MK 7 and 1970 Mini with a clubman 1300, Webber and solid suspension. Paddy Hopkirk odds and ends. That thing was on rails… Then came a wife and kids. Need I say more? Wish I could bid on this one! Excellent opportunity for the right person.
I’d love to restomod one of these, possibly a 2JZ motor, 5 or 6 speed, suspension update etc..classic looks but fun to drive and not worry about a break down.
Disc wheel cars were designed for the home market. Almost all Healey’s destined for the USA were wire wheels and overdrive. Guess they figured all Americans were rich. Actually wires get to be a problem as the years pass. Largely due to wear in the splines and staying “true”. Just switch those discs for period mags and you have a trouble free unique Healey.
LS and five speed, black with medium blue interior, five spoke or halibrand type American wheels.