It’s been a good while since we’ve seen a classic or sports model appear at the local salvage auction, so if you’ve been hoping to find gold in the Copart lanes, here’s a potential opportunity. This 1967 Austin Healey 3000 has landed on a salvage auction lot for what looks like a very minor hit to the rear, and this is a case in point as to why you want to maintain a collector policy on cars of a certain age and value. When you bid on a lot such as this Healey listed here on Copart.com, you do so with very little information as to the car’s actual health unless you’re able to see it in person, but that hasn’t stopped bidders from pushing the current number to over $27,000.
What’s always entertaining to me is the value number Copart assigns to cars like these, with the estimated value pegged at $72,000. Sure, a nicely preserved or restored 3000 might be worth that amount on a good day, but finding such a car at a Copart facility automatically takes it down a peg or two. Plus, you’re hoping all the while that when it’s sitting on the lot, it’s being carefully handled by employees and not shoved here and there by a forklift. This Healey doesn’t appear to be a restored car, at least not one that’s been freshened up any time recently, but the dust from the parking lot could be affecting the overall presentation.
The photos show what looks like a very minor dent in the rear bumper, and I would hate to think that even a conventional insurance policy would lead to a car like this being totaled out. Of course, cars come into Copart’s possession for reasons beyond simply being in an accident as sometimes donation vehicles also end up here. When you see the interior of this 3000 it lends further evidence to it being an unrestored car or at least one that was restored eons ago as the dashboard wood trim is heavily cracked – and anyone spending the money to restore one of these cars is absolutely going to have that panel repaired or replaced.
The 2.9L inline-six was rated at 150 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque when new, and was a central reason why the Healey was seen as one of the predominant sports cars of its time. These snorty engines have a characteristic sound like no other British sports car, and remind you that this model ‘s lineage was packed with competition and endurance event successes. We have seen some auctions for nicely restored Healeys fail to get out of the $50,000 range, so it will be interesting to see how far bidders are willing to go for a car found on a Copart lot, especially given the expectation that it can be bought for a discount.
Pretty sad when the most fantastic British roadster, for the masses, has been relegated to a mere spot at “Copart”, right next to all the other automotive discards of our society.
You know, as I push 70, and years dwindling, worried about what’s next, then I see things like this. I don’t think I’ll miss much.
These had a reputation for chassis problems, so much so that there is more than one provider of aftermarket replacement chassis. The hit probably was the proverbial straw. Will be interesting where bidding will go
There used to be a Copart about 3 miles from my house. They had signs on the exterior fences stating, we buy cars, and would run similar ads online. Not all cars are wrecked or salvaged. They’ll sell it for less than more “reputable” dealers/auctions would likely get, but they probably bought it at a significant discount, assuming the seller sought them out.
More than a few sellers will give up money for a hassle free sale, nearly every car I’ve bought and all the cars I’ve sold over the last 20 years have been through word of mouth. Dealing with random people that will nit pick every flaw and low ball you often isn’t worth the hassle, especially if you haven’t priced a car to get top dollar.
Steve R
Well stated. Yep, I too am tired of the lowballers and the ‘sidewalk concours judges’ wasting my time. First question they have is “What’s your lowest price?”. They ask nothing about the car itself but will point out the flaws. And yes, this is asked even if you are advertising the car at well below market value. And then there’s the classic car dealers and brokers. I’ve yet to have a positive experience with these ‘professionals’. I hired a broker out of Indiana to sell my ’51 MG TD. This guy hooked me up with a very difficult buyer out of Utah that dragged out the sale and pickup of the car for two months. The contract specified two weeks. The broker/dealer kept assuring me about the two week period but did nothing to enforce it. All the dealer did was advertise the car online and claimed people hired him to insulate themselves from difficult potential buyers. Not so in my case. I’ll never list a car with a dealer again. So yes, I can understand why an owner would get fed up, tired, and decide to just dump a car at a Copart auction. It was easier 50 years ago writing personal checks for cars and ads and communicating with potential buyers over the phone. The hobby has changed and not for the better.
That’s why you should just auction your cars right here on Barn Finds!
Having sold a couple of cars during my life, I advertise it for a price and add the word firm. Should a buyer come over and nitpick the car and tell me all the things that are wrong for it and then asks the question “so what’s the lowest price you’ll sell me this car for?”. My immediate response is to add $500 more than the firm price I had advertised. Should the question be asked again, the price goes up by $1,000. I have sold more than one car for the firm price.
That slightly ajar door is a sure sign the chassis is in act of folding itself in half. You could put a floor jack under the side and the shut lines would correct themselves, as if by magic. But like most magic tricks, it’s just an illusion.
The current bid is retail price for the car without the dent. Or with it. The market for the big healeys peaked about 6 years ago and has been in steady decline since. Top line cars sell in the 60’s now making this one , well, copart worthy I guess….
I’ve always thought of “Copart”, as the last stop before the shredder. Even if this car has frame problems ( dent caused by ignorant yard jockey) and is hardly “Copart” worthy. The frame repair isn’t the worst thing, considering what some folks “save”. Again, the fact this car is even at Copart, speaks volumes what’s happened to our hobby.
Probable that chassis/structure is compromised which led to the vehicle being determined a total loss. I wouldn’t touch this one unless it was at a giveaway price. Makes you wonder who’s bidding,no bargain here.
The auction clearly states if does not have a salvage title. In my area they post “want to buy, WTB, ads online. They then sell them like any other wholesale car auction. There is a good chance that’s how they got this car.
A friend has a tow yard and gets nice cars all of the time, often through realtors. He gets a replacement title and sells them. He said the best cars come from estates where the cars have been sitting in a garage, often for decades, and the title has been lost. Whoever is in charge of settling the estate is more concerned with the house than the car in the garage. They want it gone more than top dollar.
Steve R
There’s another reason the car ended up at Copart.. it could be a flood car r
Not sure the frame is bent. Close look at the shut line on the drivers door makes it look like the car was hit on the drivers side, and the door was maybe replaced, as the panels don’t line up well.
And maybe around the same time, the VIN got over-sprayed when somebody decided to freshen it up or color-family match.
Wonder if it will emigrate back home…