Here’s one of my dream finds–an Austin-Healey 100-4 BN2 that has been stationary since 1968! And not only that, but it looks pretty solid, doesn’t it? Well, it’s almost there. The car was stored carefully by the father of the seller, who unfortunately is no longer with us. The car is located in Oakland, California and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is up to $8,100 at this point and I suspect it will go higher.
So let’s deal with the problem up front–or, more correctly, in back. The car was rear-ended in 1968 and has been off the road ever since. But here’s the cool part: included with the sale is a rear clip from a BN2 that will completely fix the damage. Once it’s installed. Which is not a trivial task (I’ve done major surgery on a 3000 Mk. 1 before, I speak from experience).
Here’s the tag it was wearing, and still does. This one is the real thing. And that’s not a bad thing at all. The seller tells us that the frame rails, outriggers, floors, rockers, and jack points are solid–all important things to restoring a Healey. It’s not that those things can’t be replaced; it’s just that they are really a pain!
Although the interior is obviously pretty tatty, it’s all there apart from the gear shift knob. It’s no problem to get replacement components. I should point out that the car was originally black with a red interior; the blue paint is a period repaint.
I think there are a couple of 100-4 engines on the right of the car. We don’t get a shot under the hood, unfortunately, but the car is said to be complete including the drive train. For some reason, this car has really captured my attention. It’s not going to be mine, though, but it can be yours. Anyone else a taker on this car?
I would just change the oil , inflate the tires and drive it , if I lived in Cairo. The rear crash is part of the history, dont repair it.
I think that rear end damage is a little beyond “part of the history”. Who says old cars don’t have crumple zones?
“Stored carefully” Mmm, I’d hate to see it, especially the seats, if it had been stored carelessly,
My thoughts exactly.
@Wayne: You beat me to it! :-)
I had 4 100-4’s, a 100-6 and a late 3000. I was the second owner of the 3000 and drove it every day. I stopped for a school bus and the car behind me didn’t even slow down.
I also found a replacement shroud and a boot lid. Lots and lots of work to repair. However the prices of all big Healey’s are sky high and someone will fix this one.
You are lucky to not have been part of the damage. These cars have zero safety features. Not a problem when I was a youth but these days when I take a ride in my Healey I take extra precaution of the other drivers around me. These cars are fun to drive but you need to respect their limitations also.
Occasionally I think I would like to get a Crosley station wagon (our family’s first vehicle) to putt around in. But I keep coming back to the fact that, in the modern world, that would be like roading an ATV or a golf cart (minus the police hassle). With a small visual presence, a small engine and zero safety features, it would be one step above kid-aged me running down the road wearing a refrigerator box that has CAR magic-markered on it.
BN2s are well sought after, so this car will find a new home and will be loved some day.
Why would you change the color on a black and red car.
👍👍👍👍 Love it!! What a beautiful car.
These are better looking than the sixes, in my opinion. I remember driving a friend’s and flipping the electric over-drive switch. A fine car, especially with the windshield folded down!
You got me thinking back on the safety issue. If I think back on the ’49 Crosley wagon and the two ’55 Healeys we had, the thought of a wreck doesn’t look all that good. The three Bugeye race cars we have can be described as roll cages with Healey bodywork. Surprised the tank on this ’56 didn’t rupture.
Anyone have an idea as to the rough cost of shipping this car across the States to the East coast (perhaps Boston?) for onward shipping to France? Are there companies in the States who can handle all this for an absentee buyer? Any ideas, please?
Since the car seems to be already in Oakland, why not use a local transporter to ship the car to France? I did use several times iglautoshipping (Gabriel) and it is been reliable for transporting cars to France.
Agree with Healymonster; I felt safer on the race track than I do with today’s “distracted” drivers
Thanks for the tip Phil. I’ll get in contact with them.