It’s easy to think that all unrestored “big Healey” finds have near-terminal rust problems, but this 1960 example listed for sale here on eBay from Catonsville, Maryland proves that’s not the case. Current bidding has exceeded any reserve at just over $10,000, not a lot for a solid BN7 two-seater.
While I believe the first picture is the car “as found”, it has now been moved to indoor storage as shown above. I hope the front bumper and apron are still included in the auction! Thanks to reader Ikey H. for submitting this find!
A little bit of research shows that this Texas plate is age-related to match the car and probably dates from 1960. Unfortunately, that doesn’t tell us how long the car has been off the road. The vulnerable aluminum shrouds that make up the majority of the front and rear body look intact, though, and the seller tells us there is only rust-through in a toe well, trunk box and the inner sill behind a door.
Here’s where I started to be astounded. Sure, there’s surface rust and once cleaned up you may have some small patches to fix. But I’ve owned both a 1959 100-6 and a 1961 3000 and there’s more metal in this picture than both of my cars put together had.
The 1960 3000 (retroactively called the Mark 1) was somewhat unique in that it offered more oomph than Triumphs, MGs and the like while not costing as much as a Jaguar. Disc brakes were featured for the first time on a big Healey while the car was still offered with overdrive and a choice between two and “four” seater versions (quotes around four because if you have legs and ever tried to sit back there you must be a tiny gymnast).
The lack of carburetors and therefore exposure to the elements tells me that more than likely you will be tearing the engine down for a rebuild. The seller states that it does turn over freely so maybe you’ll get a pleasant surprise. I wish they had included compression test results. Who’s with me that this is a very reasonable project to take on if bidding doesn’t get ridiculous?
A two-seat BN7 is at the top of my personal Wish List, Jamie! I must admit I don’t dig the color much — I believe it was called Florida Green by the factory — but, if restored, it would certainly attract attention, as would what I presume was a white interior.
As a former Healey owner, I’m going to go out on a limb and say this falls midway between slap-a-couple-of-carbs-on-it-and-enjoy and they kind of total restoration most 356s seen on BF require. If this much surface corrosion is showing, I have to think there’s plenty more we can’t see. I’ll bet there are cracks in the front shroud where the individual pieces were welded together, too…
If anyone steps up (and I’m pretty sure they will), it’s pretty safe to say a total restoration lies ahead. With that in mind, the mileage claim does nothing for me, as all those low-mileage components will need just as much refurbishing as their heavily used kin before the can be enjoyed again.
But yes, it’s reasonable at the current price, and the work that will be needed is quite straightforward. Parts are available, too. And the end result will certainly justify the time and money spent.
But that color…I dunno….
Nada guides say a restored car could be worth 59 to 108 grand.
I think that in order to take this on that you would need to have already restored one.
Either that or a restoration shop that specializes in these.
Huge investment either way
Dunno about the very little rust claim. Pine needles will do it in right quick, and the bottom of the floorboards look suspect. I didn’t realize the book as as high as it is. Anyway you look at it, as the guys said, full resto. Too bad the carbs were left off, hope they dumped some erl into the cyls before they tried to turn er over.
Anyhoo- good luck to the new owner. Color that’s on it now looks cool, but that’s my taste and the least of the worries at this point . good luck to the new owner!
Cheers
GPC
Florida Green cars are beautiful when done. This car is sought after being a BN7 and most parts are available for any restoration, but it would be a timely and expensive restoration.
I saw a really nice BN-8 bid to over $140K at Barrett Jackson Palm Beach a year and a half ago. The couple sitting in front of us were the sellers. When it went past $100K the lady was literally dancing on the chairs. They were expecting $80K at best. $50K just fell in her lap.
Now we know why B/J gives you eight free drink tickets with your bidder’s badge. I was sober because I was driving back to the hotel. My friend used the drink tickets, but he was a guest and couldn’t bid. It worked out fine.
Maybe the guy who lost that one will see this, restore it, and get one for a decent price. That should save him a bunch of money, not that anybody willing to bid $140K on a car worth $80K probably needs it.
I’m leery of these auctions. Owners bidding on their own cars.Shill bidders in the audience, plus wih all the hype and drama with the auction company, I’d stay away, but I don’t have the coin to go this way. I know of a person that bought a Mercedes 2 seater at one of these; nice paint job but the underside was so rotten it wouldn’t pass state inspection, plus a blown head gasket, paid 44 large for it! Bottom Line–caveat emptor- know what you are buying, plus bear in mind you can’t test drive it. I watched a Me-cum auction recently- brasss era cars selling for peanunts, and I bet 3/4 of the cars that went thru didn’t sell, they have a tricky yuppie phrase-” the bid goes on” meaning it didn’t sell. No thanks. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
I am not an enthusiast of Auctions and will not attend them. My collection is based on private party and broker relationships only. The Healy: I’ve never done one of these so I would pass on this car.
I hate auctions and only attend the ‘regional’ (10 x a yr – insurance dumps, fleet dumps, etc). Certainly no drinkin involved. Buddy has the license, ask him if I C something I can handle…
As is typical of this era British car- the cost to restore it will never result in an investment, or profit. This is an exercise in restoration. THUS–an excellent project for a school of restoration–where students and apprentice workers would learn “The Ropes”.
If profit or gain were not a consideration, then this would occupy several hundreds of hours. Yet, again- more likely a candidate for a “builders Competition”, because, efficiency of restoration would be the challenge. Not on my list! I have to make a living.
Two-seat big Healeys are the best! The four-seater have always looked to me like a poor compromise of function and styling.
I owned a 1960 bn7 2 seater in 1970 for a year. 60 bucks a week in parts to keep it going. Sold it to a guy who smashed the front end. Wonder if this is that car? And I happily found Datsun 510s after this car in 1971. Zero dollars a week to keep it going. Great memories.
I’ve restored several of these the good news is that everything is available for these cars even the frame NEW. And pretty much the car is bolted together. Not much welding but a bit pricey on some parts.also make a shield on bottom of carbs so when they leak it doesn’t leak on exists manifolds and catch fire! Good luck
This is a response from the Netherlands, my name is Paul Wind and I bought this car from a local importer in early 2020. I stripped it completely, had the body sandblasted, did some welding myself which was very easy. I disassembled the engine myself and the head have new pistons, valves, etc, etc. The car has now been painted, Florida Green with old English flanks and I am finishing it and hope to be able to drive it this summer. I can’t show any pictures here, but if someone interested send me a message (paulwind072gmail.com) Greetings from the Netherlands, Paul