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BMC Mechanic’s: 1967 Austin-Healey BJ-8

We have all heard the adage about the shoemaker’s shoes.  That adage may be true when it comes to most professions and their possessions, but with British car mechanics, I’d like to think things would be a little different by necessity.  Take a look at this 1967 Austin Healey BJ-8 being sold here on eBay in Wylie, Texas.  This “Big Healey” is advertised as the personal car of a long-time British car mechanic.  Besides decades worth of job security, this mechanic also had a very well kept and desirable car to enjoy.  Should the car’s lineage help to raise the value, or is the $38,500 buy it now price out of line for an unrestored Healey?

Big Healeys are well respected and loved among British car enthusiasts.  Larger and faster than most other British sports cars of the era, these cars had a reputation for being reliable and more comfortable as well.  When production started in 1953, the car was a two-seat roadster powered by a four-cylinder engine.  Donald Healey developed and refined them as the years went on.  By the end of production in 1967, the car had a full convertible top, a fixed windshield could seat four (if two were small children), and a six-cylinder engine with overdrive transmission.  By then it had developed a reputation as less of a sports car and more of a fast, comfortable touring car.

Another thing that Big Healeys didn’t have were emissions controls and US government-mandated safety equipment.  When regulations became a requirement for cars sold in America, Donald Healey simply stopped selling these cars in the states.  The car you see in the ad represents the end of the line for these cars.  While we are not told that the mechanic purchased it to grab a good car before it was too late, that’s what we want to believe.  In fact, we are not told much about the mechanic other than the fact he was a certified BMC mechanic and that he bought the car in 1968.

We can see his touch throughout the car.  Take for example the heat shield above the exhaust on the left side of the picture above.  Big Healeys have a reputation for being very warm inside due to the location of the exhaust close to the floor pan.  You can also see that one of the supports on the right was replaced at one time.  For a car with 106,399 miles on it, the car does look very good underneath.

There is some crazing of the paint on the hood and in other areas.  However, there is no rust to be found on the car except for a few spots of surface rust in worn areas.  The seller tells us that the previous mechanic owner kept the car in excellent mechanical shape.  The statement they use is “worn in but not worn out.”

Under the hood, the engine looks to be the recipient of a formal cleaning.  At the end of production, these engines were rated at 150 horsepower.  This was pretty powerful in comparison to the car’s European competitors.  Paired with an overdrive unit, enthusiast’s fell in love with just how tractable and smooth these last Healeys were.

Many people feel the Big Healeys were the best of the British sportscars.  Who can argue this point?  They were big enough to be comfortable, had a respectable amount of horsepower, were very reliable, and the styling is still gorgeous.  You can see why this mechanic purchased this car and kept it all these years. Is the Big Healey the perfect British sportscar?

Comments

  1. Avatar leiniedude Member

    No surprise. Ended:Oct 23, 2019 , 9:48PM
    Sold for:US $38,500.00

    Like 7
    • Avatar Eric_13cars Member

      Could have added another $10K and it would still have sold as quickly. This is terrific survivor. I only wish my 65 BJ8 had survived as well as this (my own fault and a shame I have to live with…although one day it will come back to its former glory).

      They’re a lot of fun, and the sound of that exhaust when revved is like none other. As a driver, they’re not that comfortable. In addition to the heat issues from spring to fall, the seats are not up to today’s standards by any means. And, similar to the earliest E-types, the floor pan is flat and uncomfortable in distance driving. Having driven mine from central NC to DC, Atlanta, and the Carolina coast, it handles well at speed in present day traffic mechanically, and cosmetically you get lots of notice, but interior comforts whilst pretty, are semi-primitive.

      Like 2
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Actually, relisted.

      Maybe the buyer backed out. Couldn’t blame him, not sure I would want to deal with any friend of Slicks.

      Like 1
    • Avatar DNC

      $38K was a steal

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Winnipegcarnut Member

    Jeeps in lots of pics. Wylie,Texas…

    Like 0
  3. Avatar ken tilly UK Member

    I had a BN 7 and let me tell you that the heat shield above the exhaust pipe was an absolute necessity. Even after having one fitted my wife wouldn’t come with me in the car because of the heat.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Pat

    To answer the last question, yes. IMHO

    Like 4
  5. Avatar healeydays

    I love big Healeys. Sold my BT7 3 years ago and wish it was still in the garage ready for a windy road drive. Someone got a very good deal on that car at that price with it’s provenance.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Ben T Spanner

    I had a 1967 from 1973 to 1998. It was the twin to this car, but was so late it did not have eared knock offs. I bought from the first owner. In my opinion this was fairly priced. If it were for sale, and we could negotiate shipping, I could have been a buyer.
    I now live in SW Florida, and yes it would be hot.

    Like 1
    • Avatar ken tilly UK Member

      Now that is one super home restoration.

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Del

    Compared to the Healeys we have seen here lately this is a God Send 🤣

    I have no idea if the price is to high or not but the car has been cared for.

    It may be worth not having the hassle of doing renos. I am no Mike Holmes

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Ross W. Lovell

    Greetings All,

    Maybe its me?

    Those wheels look like 14″ not 15″!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Eric_13cars Member

      My 65 runs on 165/80R/15s (Michelin). Same painted spoke wheels.

      Like 2
  9. Avatar Danny from Oz

    Once you’ve heard one you’re smitten. Awesome throaty roar from a basic car/truck motor.

    Like 2

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