Update 6/5/2018 – This Austin Healey ended up getting bid up to $10,500, but it didn’t reach reserve and has just been relisted. Strangely, this time the seller is actually offering less information than in their previous ad, but they did include more photos. They started the auction off at $6k with a reserve, which you can find here on eBay. Hopefully, this time they set their reserve at a more realistic amount.
From 3/28/2018 – A few days ago, we featured the remains of an Austin Healey 3000 that had clearly seen better days. Despite this recent find up in Ontario being stored outdoors since 1968, it does appear to be quite a bit better if you’re looking for a project. This car also comes with the desirable factory hardtop and is complete despite the rough condition on display. The seller claims it is part of a larger collection of MGs and Jaguar E-Types that have recently been exhumed after standing for years. Find the Austin Healey here on eBay where bidding has cleared $10K and the reserve remains unmet.
What do you see poking out just above the left front corner of the Healey? Yes, that is one of the E-Types the seller referenced, but don’t ask about that car: he is explicit that none of the other vehicles are for sale at any price. If I had to guess, the Healey almost certainly needs floors but the hardtop itself is so rare that I’m sure plenty of bidders have already accepted this car will have plenty of needs beneath the surface. It’s a shame about the back glass being smashed out, as it will almost certainly require custom glass. Paint is tired but at least much of the chrome trim out back is still attached; the remains of the car cover can be seen alongside.
Perhaps that car cover did some good for a time, as the interior isn’t as bad I was expecting. The front glass has been punched out, so water intrusion is almost guaranteed, but the dash isn’t destroyed and the seats look salvageable. If this is the factory color combination (and it almost certainly is, with the matching dash), it is one of the prettier ones available. The seller provides relatively few details on the car and its history, other than noting all of the cars in the collection were running when parked in 1968 at the time of the owner’s death, and they haven’t been disturbed since then.
That last part amazes me, as you’d think a relative or neighbor would have at least been curious what was happening to the deceased’s estate. The seller only provides the following regarding the Healey’s mechanical health: “This is a 2.9 – 6 3000 Mk.I. Build date was mid-February 1960.” Very little to go on for prospective buyers, and given it has rear seats, it’s not the most desirable spec out there. But finding a Big Healey in untouched, undisturbed condition is a treat, and if this example truly went into long-term hibernation just eight years from new, it may be one of the more original examples left. Would you bid on it?
Jeff, this looks very similar to my father’s BT7, which he left to me and I later had to sell (something I regret more all the time), though his/mine was in much better shape, even though I’m sure its 500,000-plus-mile total was higher than this car’s.
I should point out the rear “glass” is Plexiglass (Perspex?), so perhaps not as expensive to replace as a glass window would be.
From what I can see, this is a full-teardown, clean/repair/replace EVERYTHING car. I would not trust a single part on it until I or a professional had checked it out and done the necessary. There is going to be rust like you wouldn’t believe, too….
At $10K, I’d give it a miss. You would have to spend more restoring it than It would cost to buy a runner in good (at least) mechanical and cosmetic shape.
All just my opinion, of course….
Ray, thanks for the heads-up on the plexiglass. Far easier to deal with that.
And I agree with you. These cars may be hard to find, but there are enough out there you can certain find a better place to start than this car.
Jeff, I located a factory hard top for “our” Healey when my father was still driving it (ca. early 1980s). Didn’t cost much, though I understand they’re Unobtanium now. The rear “glass” was scratched and cloudy, so might as well have been broken! If anyone ever figured out how to “restore” Plexi, word sure didn’t get to me!
Neither my father nor I drove it much with the lid on. Felt really claustrophobic, even if it really wasn’t. But it looked absolutely perfect on the car if you ask me.
Looks like this Healey passed in ’68 too!
I feel that way about many hardtops – the Merc Pagodas, Datsun 600s, Honda S600/800, Miatas – heck, even the modern S2000. May not be as fun than with the top down but they sure look good.
Just sold a roof for an early Healey and yes the window is Plexi. The roof was for a BN7 (2 seater) and the guy was excited to buy it for $2500 needing a complete restoration.
Rented truck in route with chainsaw in case tree 🌲 Stop 🛑 removal
😅😜🤠😏
Ten grand reserve. Right….
I wish I would have posted my 70 impala parts car with extreme rust for one Million in lieu of crusher 😆
I think people are bidding on this because they want the hardtop. The car itself is welded permanently into one piece by rust. How would you even get it apart if you were loony enough to restore it? Maybe soak the entire thing in a vat of PB Blaster for a year?
Kind of falls in the Jag from earlier category. These were magnificent cars, and I guarantee you, it didn’t look like this in ’68. Proof positive, in the early 70’s, nobody wanted these, so when they broke, they sat. At least this car actually resembles a Big Healey, not like the other hulk. Seems prices kind of cooled on these.( after people who bought them, actually drove them)(why are my feet burning hot?) For a while, every Big Healey went for 6 figures, but a quick check on Hemmings, show a slew, and a nice one can be had for $30-$40g’s.( although, some are still over $100g’s) You’d have to be off your nut to sink that into this.
Funny that you should say “Jag”…..
A close look at the photos reveals what must be the rear of an XKE parked in front of the Healey.
Hmmmm….lots of wishful stuff going on in the description of this truly poor old Healey.
“complete and intact” … yes, except for all that metal that has been transformed into the oxide form.
“unmolested” … see above.
“barn find” … Don’t you mean “in-ground find”?
Etc….
The saving grace is the hardtop and the fact that the seller will be displaying the car at a major British car event next month in Ontario, Canada for people to inspect it.
I’m not sure much that’s new about the car is going to be discovered there, tho….
Perhaps a better view of a rusted-out chassis, Dolphin?
I’m a great fan of big Healeys. It’s a shame this one was left to rot…
I am a Healey fan too, Beatnik. The first serious car I owned was a tri-carb Healey, and that was when it was only about a year old. It blew away the performance of the previous 2 cars I owned—-a ’58 Sprite and an MGA.
It was terrific on the road with all that torque, and was more than a match for almost all other cars on the road. And with OD giving you 6 or 7 speeds there was always the right torque X gear ratio for any situation. Then there was the mellow sound, and the wire wheels, and on and on.
My best car buddy is restoring a late Healey right now and I can’t wait to get a chance to drive it.
Strictly a parts car. Sunk to it’s axles, the frame and lower metal are likely toast.
The only way to restore “Plexiglass/Perspex” is to fit a NEW rear window.
no sense even looking at it until its been moved—might break in 2. 10k, hasn’t hit reserve?? Also another red flag is only 2 fleabay feedbacks.Be Scared…..
Caveat Emptor……
Looking at that yellow rope tied to the steering wheel, I can only hope it had nothing to do with the owners demise in 1968.
I bought a barn find AH 100-4 in the early 1970’s. It had been parked over a manure pile. As the tires deflated, the manure came in contact with the underside. The body, trim, and interior were fine. The foor and the frame were not. Back then, good replacement frames were easy to find.
Have purchased a few Healeys like this in the past and still have a bunch of them – just for the inexperienced or uninformed, you can almost be guaranteed there will be nothing left of the frame plus whatever you can see above ground.
Buy it for what its worth. About 500 bucks
Greetings All,
Current bid, $10,500 and “RESERVE NOT MET”.
Okay….
I cant see there being much under the carpets other than mother earth itself. The bid at 10k is more than I would pay for something that needs a doner car to complete. But its always good to have someone put another Healey back on the road. This one wont be going home with me.
Ray T;
RE: “Restoring” plexiglass – Basically the same as headlight lens renewal. Sand with 400 and decreasing levels of grit, then polish. Won’t remove deep scratches, but will clear up the stuff remarkably well. “Brasso” works well as a final polish.
I’ve done several side screens this way with great results, one set being from my old Healey 3000…
Is that no’ a fifty quid project? Nice when they’re going, but ten large for that? Gies a break.
See also the utter sheds of Mustangs and Chargers that’re being excavated from their slumbers. Vastly overpriced for what they are.
Bring a yard broom*; you’ll need it to sweep it onto the truck…
*good record, though.
I realize that Big Healeys are very collectable, but here is the thing. I just hate the idea of rewarding people for letting these car sit out in weather and composte and then get big money for them. Value in this case should depend on what it weighs.
I agree. It is shameful in my opinion that any collectible or vintage automobile of note be left unprotected and exposed to the ravages of good old Mother Nature.
I run across it all the time. The neglectful owners do absolutely nothing to preserve what they have. Also, in some instances, refuse to consider selling. Instead choosing further deterioration. I just do not understand that mentality and when it comes to vintage automobiles, I find it quite frustrating.
If you think I’d open my wallet for this, you have a better shot of seeing Elton John JUNIOR.
Another classic that had fallen into the wrong hands of a moronic long time owner. SMH
It has sunk into the ground so bad, the engine has popped the hood!
That Healey is rusted into one inert piece with no movable parts.
About all this is worth is $80.00, is it saveable yes, but why do it. Here’s my thinking if you like metal work and your good at it you’d get a lot of enjoyment at the challenge, but the greedy owner in this case isn’t leaving any meat on the bone for the next guy. I think he should keep his car until he comes to his senses, because as it sits this is nothing but a bucket of $h!t. I can’t get over how out of touch some people are about values and the enormous effort that it is going to take to bring this back. If I was 10 years younger I’d want to take it on just for the metal work. I’d rebuild everything possible to save that I could, which would cut my personal costs a lot. But that’s not everyone’s deal so I can see how most would not entertain the idea of a restoration, just food for thought.
Putting a hardtop on a classic British sports car is like putting pasties on a Playboy centerfold image. Please don’t.
Hahahahahah, gotta tell ya, I am getting tired of garbage on the market.. more work than it’s worth.. more bar room lawyers telling everyone.”it’s worth a fortune”…good luck
True about these being garbage but for a guy like me on a budget with lots of skills and tools it’s the only way I’d be able to own a car like this. I’m sure I’m not the only gear head out there in this situation.
Nah, canadainmarkseh. The pros here are telling you straight: if you have 10 grand, don’t buy that bucket of rust, as cool as it used to be 50 some years ago. Get something that won’t require virtually every part of it being restored, or repurchased. I love the old Healeys, but that one should be buried.
looking at the floor pans & the frame, I woulod suggest at price closer to $2000
I could think of countless better ways to spend 10k but then again I’m not really a fan but man is this rough for anything north of 500$