We’ve commented before here at Barn Finds’ southern headquarters that certain types of cars seem to come in batches, and I was reminded of that again today when this Big Healey popped up. This one while being a project is a lot closer to being roadworthy than several others we’ve featured lately. It’s located in Canton, Georgia and is being sold here on eBay by a well-known parts seller who at 76 has decided it’s time to sell some cars. The opening bid is set at a cool $30,000 but there’s no higher reserve.
While the heritage certificate that comes with the car shows that it left the factory in British Racing Green, I find this yellow/black combination very appealing. However, the paint is described as “faded, chipped, scratched, peeling and touched up in many places with an off color yellow.” Be sure and look at the high-resolution pictures at the bottom of the eBay listing if you are interested in learning more about this car.
The seller has included a very detailed description and I can vouch for his honesty as I have purchased many parts from him over the years. That’s the original top–or what’s left of it!
There are also many pictures included of the underside of the car; the seller explains what is rusty, what isn’t, and how big the problems are. That funny-looking lump in the upper right of this picture is the electrically-actuated overdrive unit.
Believe it or not, I used to carry my future wife’s roommate (only with the top down) in the back seats of my Big Healey while I was in college. It’s a good thing she was small! I can’t imagine a real adult trying to sit back there now.
While the engine runs and the car has been yard driven in all gears, the clutch driven plate is stuck to the flywheel at the moment. Surprisingly, the hydraulic systems actually work although you would absolutely want to rebuild both the clutch and brake systems before trying to put this car on the road. Would you like to wake up this Big Healey that’s been asleep for so long?
Lovely car, but I would be concerned about the amount of rust, underneath.
This one’s going to need a lot of work.
What’s the deal with the Orange on top of the fenders?
This seller’s advertisements all have the orange on the car or on the offered part, that is his “trademark”.
This has already been discussed here on BF.
Yea, and that was a couple of years ago. I don’t remember the reasoning behind it, but I believe it was more than just a trademark.
Glen,
is it not so that the orange allegedly serve as a reference to the colour of the car offered, because everyone can imagine the colour of an orange?
I think you’re right, thanks.
Lets people know it’s not a lemon :)
Maybe he was just hungry.
This guy( who used to be acaceace in my days on ebay) is a great guy! Very helpful, extremely knowledgeable and had a ton of parts ( even more than I did after buying out dozens of closed dealers… sorry I beat you to Logansport) lol!
Anyways, I would buy a car from him in a minute if I still loved LBC’s….
I echo your comments. I have had numerous dealings with this gentleman and have never met anyone more honest, fair or straight-forward.
I tend to question the “Big” Healey reference which is so often used.
I drove behind one for a few miles, over a local mountain pass and kept telling myself how small a car it was. Quite unsafe looking while overtaking a bus.
Also the 3 litre is quite a lot smaller than most V8s.
But I do know the term.
The 100, 100-6 and 3000s are referred to as the “Big” Healey because the Sprite Bugeye and later) models are much smaller.
Thank you guys – I finally understand where the term Big Healey originates from.
It’s all relative, Dickie. I have owned both a Sprite and a Big Healey, and the Big Healey is much bigger than a Sprite…but then again, just about all other cars are too.
But back in the early ’60s a Big Healey was more than a match for most other cars on the road, both in speed and handling. Today most hot hatchbacks could outrun one, but they won’t come close to looking or sounding as good as a Big Healey doing it.
dimensions: outside length:157.5 in, width: 60.6 in, wheelbase:92 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 2548 lbs
may B I should look up / compare 2 a BugeyeSp.? or other?
Actually I never thought of looking up the actual Big Healey dimensions, because that vision of a smallish car remained with me.
But now that I see the actual dimensions in print, I found these dimensions of a 1972 VW Beetle, which was actually a larger car.
The 1972 Volkswagen Beetle measures 61.00 inches in width, 158.60 inches in length, and has a wheelbase of 94.50 inches.
I see many; I mean many places under this BJ8 that need replacement panels. That clutch leak that stick /stuck the clutch to pressure plate is a problem. Just possibly the rear main (rope) seal has caused that problem. So that means complete replacement plus updated seal kit replacement. The water pump will likely leak after warm up. That oil pan looks like it’s dangerously close to leaking. The flex pipes have been butchered. Rear pumpkin seal leaks. Bottom line here is this car was not treated well and may not have been driver by that little old lady. What I see positive here are many things. Suspension is standing high enough, body is good, dash is too. The certificate is the only think holding the vehicle interest up. The starting bid is the top this beauty should sell for. As a three time BJ8 owner I feel a complete restoration would put this fella way over the top market value. No real mention was given to those rear dogleg’s condition from the inside. There’s a vent/ drain tube in there that clogs too easily and promotes rust like you can’t imagine.
At the end of this ebay listing there is a very long list of a whole bunch of different cars. What is this? Can’t possibly be all the cars this seller owns is it???