The ad for this 1960 Austin Healey 3000 MK1 states it has been stored in a barn since 1984. Based on the photos found here on eBay, I’d say it was more of a garage than a barn, but with all the dust it certainly looks the part. Located in Seabrook, New Hampshire, it has a current bid of just over $11,000. The seller has rescued it from the barn and cleaned it up a bit. It looks like a decent candidate for a restoration. Take a look and see what you think about this one.
The engine has been turned over by hand but hasn’t been started. The seller says all the systems need to be gone through before anyone attempts to start it. Hopefully, with some fresh gas, spark, and air, it will fire up. Based on the crusty condition under the hood, the buyer had better plan on replacing or refurbishing a lot of parts. The 2.9-liter 6-cylinder only cranks out about 124 horsepower on a good day.
I can’t tell if the upholstery and carpet damage is from a rodent or just years of use. Either way, it will need some attention but doesn’t look too bad. The red interior combined with the white exterior is a classic combination that will never go out of style.
Here you can see it after it was pulled out of the garage and cleaned up. These Austin Healey’s have aluminum bodies and the seller says this one “…looks rough in it’s appearance, it is a good solid start to a restoration…” and I tend to believe them. Hopefully, this car will get a second lease on life and will be enjoyed in the sun for years to come. Are you a fan of British sports cars?
Healeys did not have aluminum bodies, Montana. The front and rear panels (called “shrouds”) were aluminum, as was, I believe the hood, but the rest was good ol’ stamped steel.
In the “cleaned-up” pictures, this looks much like the car I inherited from my father (after he had run up almost a half-million miles in it). It looked pretty shopworn, but was still a reliable, quick, fun driver.
I had to sell it during a time of financial disaster. I don’t kick myself for that more than a few times a day, every day. I have heard that the next owner restored it, which is certainly what I’d do with this one.
The fact that the frame is intact is enough to want this car. The early pure roadsters are my personal favorite. Good restoration candidate.
Guess it’s already sold. Looked like a nice starting point. Reminded me of my ‘58 100-6. Wish I never sold it.
I had a ’59 100-6 that had a couple of spun bearings when I got it back in ’67. I dropped a Ford 260 in it. It was a fun car to drive but you had to be careful it there was any moisture on the pavement. Spun her out a few times and, luckily never hit anyone or thing in the process. I sold it after marriage and the kids starting coming. I think I paid $150 for it and another $50 for the engine. Would had done better that any other investment had I kept it.
Every time I consider selling my ’62 that is one of the nicest around, I read comments from folks regretting selling theirs. I don’t need to sell it for the money right now, I have a 17 year old son that wants it one day, it is the same car that I bought when I was 17 and drove my last year of High School and when I first graduated until I parked it when I joined the service, and then had restored about 15 years ago. Lots of memories.
But I get on the sell fence every so often when I don’t get to drive it as much as I’d like (for example, I’m still on active duty… 3 more years until I hit 30 years and have to retire) and am now on my 10th deployment of my career. I start thinking about the expenses I’ll face when my kids are leaving for college in two years. As I approach retirement, I want to get a second home in Florida or Texas that I can escape northern winters (wife still working for another 10 years or so). Wife wants a new kitchen and some other home upgrades, etc. Though my son wants the car, he will not be in a position to have it for at least another decade or so. Getting harder and harder to find someone that works on these cars when something really needs to be done and done right… I can do some things, but not all. Etc.
So… I have to say that seeing people say, “I wish that I still had it.” makes me think about what I’d say in 10 years or more if I sold it today.
Bidding reached $10,500.00 and ad was ended. Hope the sale went well… o Or did the seller think he wasn’t getting enough action. Kinda soon to end, also.