There have been many ways to name a car over the years and Austin’s name for this car was quite simple. It promised 100 miles per hour with a 6 cylinder engine. This sad example was stored for over 40 years and the decades were not kind to it. It is listed on eBay in Hancock, Maine for $24,950. That seems high, so how do you think the seller came up with their valuation? Perhaps they saw NADA’s valuation that says low retail is $27,000, but this Healey is a long way from low retail. Hagerty says a #4 car is worth less than $20,000, and that’s for a driver quality car. Have a look and see how you’d rate this sad example. Or perhaps for anyone with an appreciation for English sports car, perhaps you should look away.
Can you imagine what this must smell like? What can I say? It needs work. At least the creatures haven’t done any apparent damage.
Well, this is going to need some work. It’s been a long time since this produced 117 horsepower. What else is there to say?
As always, it will be great if this Healey is saved. Luckily, this isn’t the only picture provided in the auction. Even in this picture, the rust is apparent. Can you imagine what the underside must be like after being stored for over 40 years in the dirt? At the right price, this Healey might make sense for a project. However, for about $20,000 more there are some really nice 100-6 cars for sale, like this one. Do you think you could make this Healy that nice for $20,000? If the rust underneath is really bad, do you think there is any hope for this car? How much do you think this sad Healey could be worth?
This is one of those I’m going to fix it up one day cars, but in the mean time I’m going to let it sit exposed to the elements for 20 plus years just because when I do get to it then I want it in as poor shape as possible just so its harder to do and costs more money. So here’s what ( i ) think if you have this cool exotic sports car that you have a desire to bring back why would you store it in a wet environment. If your not going to take care of it sell it on to someone that will. JMO.
Is the picture of it in the barn/shed, an as-found photo?, the tires are holding air, or did they just add air and they held, or did they pull the car out, replace the tires, then put the car back in? That last scenario would be odd.
You’d be amazed how long tubes hold air, wire wheels = tubes I just picked up TR4 with wire wheels that had been sitting 13 years, air in all 4 tires.
I have a TR6 with wire wheels that’s been sitting in my garage for 12 years. I move it occasionally and have never had to re-air the tires. It’s my next project. Almost finished with the o̶n̶e̶ two in front of it. (Wife snuck hers into the queue.)
If properly prepared, the bottoms of the doors and fenders could be used as sawzall blades to remove rust from the frame.
My guess maybe, maybe $12000. If it’s not all rusted out on the bottom end.
I think the Seller watched the episode of the show that Tom Cotter host where he found a Cobra and Ferrari in a garage in NC and somehow valued his car from that.
Here’s another seller been watching too much mecum…I mean seriously folks
Therein lies the rub (violent hacking, wheezing and coughing, laughing- so much so that I’m amazed that I can still crack my own self up), that she’ll buff out.
The rub being; the cost of rust-o-ration. Breaks me own heart to see this one in such a state. My buddy from Britain is in ground school final sim, so I don’t dare show him the Healey. Sim training is stressful enough without having to endure the sight of a neglected treasure.
@David Frank.
I totally agree with you. Go for the 20 Grand Healey with the horrible steel wheels rather than spend 20 Grand on the POS listed. At least it won’t cost nearly as much cash to convert the steelies to wires, which would make it a lovely car.
Since when does anyone pay attention to NADA or Hagerty prices? It’s just a number – people ask and pay stupid money for clapped out Jags and Porsches so why is this Healey any different? One day everything is an “investment” and the next, “oh, that’s way to much for that”. Of course, it’s not a VW bus or Grand National, so this Healey essentially worthless.
Brought $25,000 – so much for worthless, eh?
It’s going to be natural for some to say it’s not worth it. I’d probably be the same way on a vehicle I had no experience with. In the early ’70’s, my brother had a ’58 ( with ’64, 3000 motor, pretty sure he paid a grand for it) and I can say from experience, 100 mph is easily attainable. On more than one outing, we had the needle bouncing between 100 and 120, so we took an average of 110. I’ve driven hundreds of vehicles, but the A-H was, by far, the neatest one. Many shortcomings, and I bet the novelty wears off pretty quick if you aren’t used to British roadsters, especially ones with big 6 cylinders in them. While I don’t think O/D was standard, just about every big Healey had it. It was a fast car, not much could beat it away from a stoplight. The hardtop, which I’ve never seen before, is a HUGE plus. I will agree, prices for these must be a fad, because, they are a bear to drive, but if you want one of the coolest British roadsters, and can’t go the Jag route, this is what it will cost you. It’s really a great find.
Well, one way to look at it, is that it’s all there.
I love the had top
Too many highlights of the Antique Roadshow’s $500,000 rug have created a generation of…optimists.
At least it has the 12 port head, way better than the earlier log manifold head. Hard top is big plus, They can go for $5K. I have a very similar car, 1960 3000 that was on here about a year ago for similar money.. It had no rust, a hard top, wire wheels, etc.. but, it was disassembled. All in all a way easier car to restore than this one, highest offer was $21K.. I wanted $25K, that was my keep it and do it myself redline. Guess what? I’m doing it myself.
Keep in mind, every single part is available for this car, Buy a Kilmartin or Jule frame and have at it… I’d say it’s $14-18K car.
I can’t believe it, but the auction says it sold for $24,950.00
I guess I sold my 1959 3000 too cheap…
nice 2 C’em w/a 6
Who ever bought this car has more dollars
Than cents. It is a shame that old cars like this one are ruined but that is life. Not worth the effort or the dollars!!!
I was at a club event a couple of weeks ago hosted by a member who is restoring a BJ8. He had a front shroud on one side and the front fenders on the other side of the entrance to his shop/garage. Then inside was the core frame and under-structure on a rotisserie, that had the dirt and grime already removed. Having gone through a full “restoration from hell”, I can’t tell you how happy I am to on the other side of my restoration. While the one on the rotisserie looked okay compared to ones like this, rust seemed to have searched out all of the nooks and crannies. Good luck and perseverance to the new owner of this one,… he’ll need it!
It appears that Healey Werks may sell rebuilt or replacement frames for various
big Healey models….. I don’t think this particular car is worth doing a full restoration on, but it might make an acceptable driver quality resto-mod. Sell off the engine/trans to a Healey restoration shop, fix any issues with the chassis, replace rusted panels, and install a Rover V8 ( bigger, better version of the aluminum Buick 215 V8 ) and just drive it. A full restoration on this car will cost more than the car would be worth, and make most folks afraid to spend any time DRIVING it, due to the cost of repairing paint chips, etc.