The seller’s father started restoring this ’64 Austin Healey, having taken it apart and reworked the body when he passed away. Unfortunately, the engine was lost in the process though the rest of the British sports car may be all there in some organized fashion. Located in a garage in Texarkana, Texas, this two-tone project is available here on eBay where bids of $8,900 have not been enough to trigger the reserve.
Production of the 3000, which occurred from 1959 to 1967, was a collaboration of sorts, with the car’s bodywork made by Jensen Motors and the assembly done by BMC’s MG Works alongside the company’s MG models. Over the years, the 3000 transformed from an open sports car (with a 2+2 option) into a sports convertible. Mid-way through the cycle, more than 90% of these cars were built for export, with the U.S. being the largest market.
Before this restoration began, this ’64 Healey was in pretty rough condition, so Dad had the car totally stripped and sorted into piles. Rather than using the original frame, a Jule Enterprises frame was obtained which we understand is an upgrade. We’re told the cost of the frame alone was $4,500, just part of the $25,000 in receipts the seller accumulated from his father. Then the sheet metal was repaired of any rust, new floor pans were installed, and a nice two-tone white and blue paint job was applied.
There are boxes and boxes of new parts that the buyer will get to take home to finish this project. We’re told they include but are not limited to, a new windshield, brakes, exhaust, gas tank, front suspension, 5-speed manual transmission, and a new wiring harness. When inventoried, this assortment may get you to 90% of the way in getting the project moved along. But you’ll have to source another engine because that’s long gone. The title is also in a state of flux as the father took the car apart before he addressed getting the title transferred and apparently the State of Texas has a problem with that. If you’re into these English cars and like what you see, this project might be an easy one or a difficult one, depending on your definition.
It always makes me sad when the owner passes away before he can finish his project. To me this makes the restoration a tribute to complete. Engine should not be hard to source and the colors look nice on this car. Should be a straightforward project for a skilled person.
Couldn’t make it, eh Gus? I know, circle of life, turn, turn, turn, but if stories like these don’t make you a little verklempft, well, I feel sorry for you. Engine gone missing? Iffy title? Sounds hoaky to me and look at the loss here. If this person would have even got to drive it once, it may substantiate the money invested, but it irritates the crap out of me, these people sucked this guys money, and for nothing. Big Healeys, while diminished some, are still a big hit, and I’ve said it before, someone will get a great start at the owners expense, and that sucks!
The big Healeys are complicated cars but the fact that all the hard work has been done makes a good candidate for the average garage level mechanic.
I’ve spoken to the owner. No transmission, no motor, no wheels. Great start with most of the really nasty stuff done, but…
Truth be told, I’d love to be the first one to drive it when it’s finished.
Motor and transmission gone missing- that always smacks of some dispute- like the guy sent the motor off for rebuild and – A. The motor guy went out of business and disappeared or B. The bill was enormous and the owner couldn’t or wouldn’t pay- hence the whole project comes to a grinding halt. Finding a motor and trans is not difficult, but if Texas is a state that titles the cars by the motor number, you could be in for a long trail of bureaucratic madness.
“…the engine was lost in the process.” That must have been some process. Make a note to avoid that process in the future.
Buying a project in mid-stream with major components missing reminds me of the saying, “The first 90 percent of the project consumes 90 percent of the budget, and the last 10 percent of the project consumes the other 90 percent of the budget.”
BTW, Jensen merely assembled the bodies. They didn’t make them. And Abingdon was a BMC factory – not exclusively an MG factory – by the time they were making Healeys there. They weren’t “collaborating” with MG to make Healeys there, they were just concurrently making MGs and Healeys in a BMC factory.
“The first 90 percent of the project consumes 90 percent of the budget, and the last 10 percent of the project consumes the other 90 percent of the budget.”
Can’t believe I’ve never heard that phrase. So so true. I’m stealing it!
Best i stay away from this one as i have a built 289 languishing on a stand waiting for a new home.
Better to buy a fully restored car. That way, you’ll know exactly what you have in a running vehicle.
Not necessarily, I bought a “restored or original Jaguar Mk-X that came from rustland!! it looked great, had original brand and size tyres, lovely leather, etc. but had through rust holes covered with scraps of aluminum beer can and bonderd over, it was appraised with a high score BUT The beautiful BRG paint quickly fell off etc! A local place bought a 55 chev sedan and converted it to a convert with all the goodies, seems the factory didn’t have all the details about what they sold then so with welding and lots of bondo, it turned out GREAT!
Stick to unrestored cars with GOOD BONES and most of the bits! AND DO IT YOURSELF it once was a hobby not a business scheme!
The auction listing was canceled, and a second listing with a price set at $15K replaced it. That one went the way of: “This listing was ended by the seller because there was an error in the listing.
Regarding the drivetrain parts gone AWOL, some possibilities, all a real pain. Hope the car found a good home.
Sadly, and I’m sure most of us know this, the seller cannot total up all the receipts he has, and use this as a gauge for establishing an asking price. Just because you spend “X”, doesn’t mean the car is worth “X”. Reality is, especially with a car in pieces, the sales price will most likely be X minus a whole bunch.
I took a good look at the photos as I am in the market for a big Healey, for resto or as a running car.
The welding on this car is done quite poorly, which makes me fear for the overall quality of the work.
I see this as a perfect platform and time for a small V8 and 4 speed…..a early 302 Z28 motor an M21,and a a 12 bolt with some modern suspension and brakes would be just right…..The hardest, most exspensive part of the work has already been done…although I am sure the purists will be shaking there heads…I always liked the early Healey’s with this update…
Put a 302/5 speed from a GT Mustang in it.