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Forest Find: 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6

Hope springs eternal in the human breast, they say. We all like to think the pile of rusting junk we have in the Lower 40 is a potential goldmine. But the idea that this collection of metal oxide, which must have been “stored” outside for decades, is worth $12,345 seems, well, let’s call it a stretch. And that’s true even though this is a highly desirable car. It’s a 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 here on Facebook Marketplace in Lexington, North Carolina. Or should I say, was? It ceased being an actual car some time ago.

The owner says only that this once-proud British sports car “can be used to restore or four (sic) parts. The best I can tell the car is complete. There is no paperwork but I can provide a bill of sale.”

There’s nary a good panel on this car—everything is smashed or rusted comprehensively. Sorry, I take that back. The transmission is still in place. I think the grille might be good, and some of the badges. Instruments perhaps? Radiator? Windshield? Trunk lid? And could the hardtop be restored? Those are fairly rare and prized in any condition. But the cash register isn’t ringing up to $12,345 here. The door bottoms and rocker panels are totally gone, as is the trunk (“boot”) floor.

If I’m not mistaken, the right fender (“wing”) was actually replaced back when someone cared, but that’s now also succumbed to the tin worm.

Ready to take a “spanner” to this fine Austin-Healey? It’s disheartening even to contemplate salvaging the car. Undoubtedly some living things will be disturbed, and thus angered, when you get the remains down off that trailer. We don’t get a close look at the engine bay, but a variety of exposed-to-the-elements motor parts are strewn about. I see the original cobwebbed SU carbs lying among other long-dead components. Is it OK to guess that the engine is not in an advanced state of tune?

The rusted-solid scissors jack says it all, doesn’t it? These are body-on-frame cars, so perhaps the best you could hope for is an intact frame under all that mess that you could drop your somehow pristine 100-6 body onto. But more likely is that the whole enterprise is about to collapse.

The value of the 100-6, predecessor to the 3000, is rising. I see very nice examples priced at $50,000. In this version of the Big Healey, a smart six replaced the 100’s four and for 1957 produced 117 horsepower.

They were good for zero to 60 in 10.7 seconds, a decent performance for the time. Some 14,436 of these 100-6s were made before the model closed out in 1959. This one was unlucky and picked the wrong American owners.

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    Seller must have spent too much time smelling rusting metal fumes.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar angliagt Member

    I bought a ’59 100-6 in 1975 for $1000,which was a
    good deal even then.First car my girlfriend,now Wife went
    out in.
    It was a red 4 seater,with chromed disc wheels.I sold
    it for $2100.It went to Honolulu,Hawaii.
    Wonder if it’s still around?

    Like 1
  3. Avatar JACKinNWPA Member

    She’s a thing of beauty!

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Steve R

    I hate this ad. The pictures pictures seem to be chosen so as to not show too many details. You can see from different angles both the hood and trunk lid open, yet no picture of the engine compartment or trunk floor. However, they see fit to include an up close picture of the rusted jack and another of miscellaneous engine parts laid out in the trailers deck.

    I also hate when the seller won’t name an opening price, what’s posted in the ad $12,345 is meaningless drivel. They all know what they won’t take, so they should stop playing games and put out a number, even if it’s just for starters.

    Steve R

    Like 16
  5. Avatar bobhess Member

    The “you’ve got to be kidding” award for this one. I can remember when we only had one of these every month.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Brian W

    Facebook requires a price to be put and it has to be within the “range” that they expect for the type of ad that it is… so that 12345 is merely random numbers that facebook will accept for the ad… I’m guessing the guy is looking for offers from anyone that could fine one or two parts to use. I’d just ignore the price and treat it as an ad with NO price given and seller wants people to make offers on parts or the whole thing.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Almost Paradise

    Can this add be run on the first day of April?

    That seems more appropriate to me…

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Neville

    Another British Shale Mine up for grabs, was a nice car at one point! Hopefully someone can find a good home for it 😀👍

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Brian

    I don’t believe that is the factory hardtop. If it’s an aftermarket hardtop they are worthless.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Pauld

      No not factory. Had one and have not seen another. I liked it.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Healeymonster

        These are bimetal cars. The body center section is Aluminum and the bolt on fenders are steel with a tube of metal separating the two to hide the needed seam. The racing “M” versions were all alloy. Although it can appear daunting, the body on this tinworm commune can be saved. But finding buyers for these are getting tougher as those interested are dieing of old age.

        Like 0
  10. Avatar Tony Townsend

    I got a free 58 100-6 in 1970 when I was 16. I spent way too much time trying to coax it back to life before passing it on (gratis) to another pigeon. The original owner called me up six years later and asked for it back. He seemed annoyed when I said I had no idea what had happened to it.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar ChingaTrailer

    Quick call Beverly Hills Hair Club! Perfect for their inventory. By the way, these are not body on frame yet not truly unitized like a modern car if my memory serves correct.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Steven

    What a leap of stupidity to allow a car like this to rot away….whoever did this should be ashamed of themselves.

    Like 4
    • Avatar ChingaTrailer

      Steven – you probably don’t remember when these were new or near new and people bought them thinking that they would be reliable practical and fun transportation. Then reality set in. Constant overheating, oil leaks, Lucas electrical failures.

      Like 5
  13. Avatar 1st Gear

    The sellers brain is as rusted as this blob of decaying metal. I don’t have the capacity to understand this train of thought other then there’s insanity, stupidity or greed.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Pauld

    I had a 58 of this model. Paid $800 in 1965. It surprised many American car owner with it’s speed. When a friend put a Ford small block in his Healey I put his later engine in the 58. Moved to California from Indiana and drove it there at 90 MPH most of the way. There, because of going into the military, it was sold for $1200. Such a deal at the time. The hard top was unique. This Healey for sale has that hard to find hardtop. It is not as hopeless as it looks. Is the owner I sold the 58 to, and restored it, still around? It was sold in 1967 and had that hardtop, white, with a red racing stripe.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar bobhess Member

    These are body on frame cars and you can bet there is not much frame left on this one. Big, strong, boxed frames with bare metal inside. You can do the math….

    Like 2
    • Avatar Pauld

      Yes, Bob, you are right about the frame. However, new frames are available. It would have to cost in for a restoration. The new frames are stronger than the original. Yes, they are asking way too much for this example..There are many things available for restoration, including wiring harnesses.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Joshua

    How this car made it on the trailer without breaking in half is a complete mystery. I had a number of old British cars and all had rust that needed work but this… this is a lump of rust that looks like a car. This car is not worth $12,345 or $1.24. The wheel on the other hand MIGHT have some value.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Kenn

    I see four (4) carburetors. Did this sport that many when the engine was fully assembled? This would be a great project at $123.45.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar bobhess Member

    Kenn… Car came with 2 carburetors. Some later models had 3 for a short time. Right on with the $123.45. Angliagt… same scenario with us except we drove a worn out ’55. She must have liked it ’cause she’s still here.

    Like 1
  19. Avatar MarkO

    How about $0.12345 ?? (Thirteen cents would be too much)

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Stephen Coe

    New head $4799, all other parts priced likewise, this is a $75-85,000 project. Just junk, $1000 tops.

    Like 0

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