And now for something in the “From whence it came, it shall return” department courtesy of a 1958 Austin-Healey 100-6. Found in the woods of Mena, Arkansas, where it has been decaying for probably some number of years, it’s now looking for a new caretaker as the seller claims, “Great for a project!!“. This A-H roadster was discovered by Terry and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000.
It’s a sad state of affairs to find this Austin-Healey in such deleterious condition. It is officially known as a 100-6 (100 MPH top speed, 6 cylinder engine) and was offered for three model years, ’57, ’58, and ’59 – we cover this vintage regularly on Barn Finds. Estimates of total production hover around 14K copies.
Beyond opining about this Healey’s suitability as a restoration subject, no other details are offered via the listing. Besides the obvious, as in the missing parts, the dents, and rust, it does appear to be returning to primordial ooze. None of the body parts, as they sit, appear to be useable so one can only imagine how the structural aspect of this Austin-Healey’s underside has fared. It would be interesting to know how many different colors and paint jobs have befallen this iconic British sports car. The most recent cover-up looks to have been a rather conspicuous shade of metallic blue but even that turned into a nevermind as it appears to have been mostly removed with a scouring pad. I guess the refinisher gave up when he got to the passenger door.
There is a 2.6-liter straight six-cylinder engine in that engine compartment but a leaf blower would probably be the most convenient, and necessary, tool at this point. Originally rated at 117 HP, this poor Healey’s powerplant hasn’t turned a lick in many moons. There is one carburetor that is visible, the other may be still in place, just obscured by all of the fall foliage. Obviously, the radiator is open and the hoses have probably become ferret fodder but it’s tough to say with certainty what is, or isn’t, missing. Assuming that the transmission is still in there someplace, it should be a four-speed manual unit.
What can one say about an interior like this! It looks like that leaf blower will be handier than originally thought. If we play “I Spy” I’ll call a stripped convertible top frame, part of a steering wheel, and maybe a gauge or two – maybe. Once all of the dreck is removed, it’s not hard to imagine that the floors are undergoing a dissolve unless they have already departed the car. A picture is supposed to be worth 1,000 words but I’m stuck at this point.
OK, ready for the kicker? You’ve already read it but let me refresh your recall, this one-time rolling terrarium can be yours for $8,000. Please talk among yourselves and advise opinions. Such a deal, right?
$8000 you can’t be serious! $800 would be a stretch. $80 is more like it.
The crack pipe light is now lit
Nope. Not even a parts car. Everything you think you might salvage will be corroded beyond repair. So sad to see a great car like this in this condition. Almost like the feeling I get when I see someone abuse an animal.
“Almost like the feeling I get when I see someone abuse an animal.”
Well said.
Seller also posts a screenshot of a price guide to show that his ask is within an acceptable range. “See, one sold for $222k, so I’m not out of line when I only ask $8k. My loss is your gain!”
8k? Get tae.
And a PS; you could go to where it is and pick it up for nothing – if they’ve found it in the woods and have no documents.
I’ve said this before, but I’ll repeat it again: The most expensive car in the world? A free car. And . . . I have a ’60 Healey 3000, in good running condition. Therefore, I say run hard “Run hard Forrestt (Gump), Run fast Forrestt!!!”
I don’t think even if this was in England they would try to restore this mess.
This is the kind of car a person would have to love to attempt to restore it again. I don’t think even if you could get it for free that you could come out in the black when you were finished and that’s assuming you could do all the work yourself.
Paint it with glued on Franklin’s ($100 bills).
The total sum would probably not be enuf to restore this.
Send it to a crusher or the UK. It really doesn’t matter which.
Pretty sure if you even tried to move it, the poor thing would crumple.
Ran when parked.
I don’t know what’s worse, the poor car or the sellers sense of value……. Ridiculous.
Decades ago I bought a barn find 100-4. It had great body panels, but as the tires deflated, it came to rest on a pile of cow manure. The frame was toast. At least a solid frame is easier to find than a solid body.
$8000? I can see a few parts that you might be able to salvage but I don’t think it totals $8k good luck to the seller for the asking price wish we could fallow it and see what it actually sells for.
I try not to be rude on this site, but, what do you think this guy is smoking ?
Why post a car like this? Is it to get people like me to click on it then click to comment that it’s overpriced, thus leading to more income for BF through said clicks?
it looks like the big bad wolf got to her.
Frank Zappa’s stinky gym socks?
No. FZ knew better.
lol
I often wish there was a TV Show where the best restorers were challenged to the unrestorable. Get a budget, get a timeline, get to work!
I don’t think this could be salvaged, but as a season finale car? It’d be great to see someone other than me try.
I agree with the comment of just go get it. Other than trespassing, who’s to say whom the rightful owner is…..But if the title is in the glove box, its registered to a “Mother Nature”….
And do it in 10 days!
A show that takes total wrecks and slaps them back together for a one time road or drag race. It’s called “Road Kill”
But it has only been driven 300 miles! Says so in the listing so I know it is true.
Seriously??? First off, why won’t the hood close? It looks to me like the radiator is pushed up probably because the frame and whatall has sunk into the ground. I’d like to see it when someone comes out and tries to pull this on to a trailer. Only way this is going to leave where it is is in pieces.
Here hold my beer while I write a check!!!