This 1959 Austin Healey 3000 was acquired as part of a package deal, with the other roadster currently under restoration by the seller. It seems logical that this one was used for any needed parts and then put up for sale as a sensible way to recoup the purchase price of the cars. If you’ve got the space, this is a great way to offset the financial impact of a high dollar restoration. Find the Healey here on eBay, where the seller says it’s not a lost cause. Bidding is currently at $3,555 with no reserve.
The seller says overall, the car is not in a “warped or collapsed state,” and that the main backbone of the frame is not rusted through. The frame outriggers are noted as being in poor condition but replaceable. From this vantage point, we can see the car comes with wire wheels and seemingly straight body panels, but no mention of where the doors have gone. 66,320 miles are recorded on the odometer.
The interior features factory gauges and rust visible in the floors. The seller notes that this Healey features a four-speed manual transmission with Normanville de Laycock factory overdrive. The drivetrain is intact but the engine does not currently run, and the seller doesn’t specify whether he has attempted to spin it. The listing claims 75 percent of the original parts are retained.
Prices on Austin Healeys are typically high for a restored example, but projects tend to go far more cheaply – mostly due to the restoration costs. This one may be at a price point where you can get into 3000 ownership without having to pay huge money for a car that still has significant needs. If bidding stays under $5,000, is it too generous to call a project like this well bought?
A lot of good parts for the price.
There’s no such thing as a cheap Big Healey.
Exactly what I was thinking! Unfortunately, I found out that truth the expensive way. And restoration of rust is not cheap. Not an easy or inexpensive car to restore properly.
At a good price this is a great parts find. Wish I’d had one of these available when we were restoring one of our ’55s. Hope it does some other cars some good.
Lots of greenery showing, and Sarah makes some good points. As Bobhess said, great parts car. I’d be worried about the frame, looks pretty crusty from the front. As a long term project it might be ok, and hummmm a small block will fit in there nicely. Anyhoo, all good points made and good luck to the new owner. To me this looks like a thousand dollar basket case.
Cheers
GPC
At a local restoration company, we club members witnessed as the usable parts from a side-curtain Healey were being transferred over to a new Australian Kilmartin chassis. Not much that was usable however, and not a cheap restoration. My choice would be to find a solid original car not needing any restoration. The overall “cost” would most likely be less.
As usual, buy the best example you can afford. I have owned 6 big Healey’s and worked on many many more. This would be a long, expensive project requiring much time,money, skill and space. Is your wife willing to give up her garage and checking account for a few years?
car………..2000.00 pair of doors (only if they see you coming) 3000.00 ! did you want handles with that?
We are seeing a lot of these in very sad shape.
A pile of parts is not worth the asking price