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Desert Fresh: 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6

1957 Austin Healey 100-6

Surely there are more than a few AH enthusiasts already dieing to get their hands on this 100-6. They are dreaming of a body off restoration back to it’s original Healey Blue hue. I, on the other hand, am dreaming of going through all the mechanical systems and driving it as-is in the Colorado Grand. They probably wouldn’t let me in, but it’s a fun thought. This car is crusty and the engine needs a rebuild, but I love the look.The rust doesn’t look terminal either so perhaps my idea isn’t too unrealistic. The floors might need some help, but from what I can see in the photos, the frame looks solid. So, have I just been writing about dirty old cars too long or are there a few of you out there who would like to do the same thing? Find this iconic British sports car here on eBay out of Englewood, Colorado!

Comments

  1. Avatar Rick Wilkins

    Well,
    While it’s called a ’57 100 Six, it’s clearly got an engine swap and a disk brake conversion. Could a be real nice driver!
    The problem rust is in the “sills” and “doglegs” impossible to see pics, but judging from the rest

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  2. Avatar John Karlsson

    I bought one better than that for $300 in 1969. Fun car!

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  3. Avatar jim s

    i think it will bring a lot of money and need a complete rebuild. but what a nice project for someone. me i going over to youtube and see/hear some big healey. i wonder what the story on the benz in the background is. great find

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  4. HoA Howard A Member

    Again, like the TR-6 a while back, if you want to get in on a car like this without breaking the bank, this is it. Nice to see they are still around, although, this could turn into quite the project. Seeing what big Healey’s go for now, it would be worth it. My brother had a ’58, 100-6 (with a ’64, 3000 engine) and that was one fun car. Would beat lots of cars off the line and had it up to around 120 once (needle was bouncing around) That was in the ’70’s, he paid under $1,000 dollars for it. Had a habit of taking out the exhaust, it was so low. Sadly, a week before he went into the army, a car pulled out in front of him, ( at speed, I might add) he hit the brakes, the left side brake grabbed before the right side, spun the car around and mowed over a traffic island, bent both right side wire wheels under, took out the exhaust (again), bent the rear axle, plus tore up the underside pretty good. He ended up selling it for parts for $150 dollars.

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  5. Avatar Doug M. (West Coast)

    Jesse, I am right there with you! It only takes money to drive a restored classic… and then they all look the same. To see something like this on the road and being driven is way more exciting! I am still looking for just the right car with just the right amount of wear to look this cool! Great plan!

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  6. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Give the seller credit for providing lots of useful photos, which is about all they can do since they don’t really know much about the car’s history other than a reference to “the car’s life in the desert”, which isn’t very much history.

    It’s good that they say that some things aren’t correct for the year, like the disk brakes and the later engine with the 6-port head, but they didn’t seen to notice the big dent in the grille and grille surround when they wrote that the car has “impeccable and unmolested panel and grille fit”. That and “excellent gaps” make me wish for lots of revealing photos, which is great, without the hard sell, which isn’t so good because it makes me wonder about the other things they say.

    And the heritage certificate that they are getting is only going to confirm what we already know, which is that the brakes, 6-port engine and other later parts were installed after the car left the factory.

    This is a highly modified car—-in an upgraded way to be sure, but it would be difficult to R&R this car and have it be worth the cost. It’s bid to over $10K and the reserve isn’t met. The SCM Guide says these are worth $30-$40K in excellent driver condition.

    I don’t think you can get there from here with this car unless you drive it like Jesse says he would. But I wonder whether some people are bidding for the parts, with the intention to sell the body when it’s been picked over.

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    • Avatar Rev. Rory

      This a good example of why you should buy the absolute best and most original example you can afford, or not worry about it much, do the required safety stuff, and drive a beater as you decide how far or whether to go on with the restoration. Win either way; you get to drive a bit of history.

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  7. Avatar Jamie Staff

    Actually, Jesse, I’m greedy…I’d like to do both. First drive the car as it is cosmetically after making it run/drive safely. After a while, THEN cosmetically restore it and shock the heck out of folks the next time I took it somewhere. I did that with a Spitfire once…lots of fun :-)

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