Traditional British sports cars have always been a firm favorite amongst enthusiasts searching for a rewarding DIY restoration project. Manufacturers tended to use tried-and-true, elegantly simple engineering philosophies that make cars like this 1964 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 a firm candidate for a home workshop restoration. It is a largely complete car, and while it does feature some rust issues, it appears to be structurally sound. It is located in Oakland, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has worked its way to $14,100, but the reserve isn’t met.
I’m not going to sugar-coat it. This Colorado Red 3000 has some rust issues that will need to be addressed. However, none of these problems have impacted the frame. The car does appear to be structurally sound. The floors will need some work, and I suspect that this is a car that will be best served if the floors are replaced entirely. Floors are easy to find and sell for $160 per side. Toeboards are also readily available, and $50 per side is about the average price. There are plenty of businesses that will supply these parts, so the world is your oyster. Externally, there is rust in the lower front fender on the passenger side, along with rust in the lower edge of the trunk lid and passenger-side rocker. The remaining rocker, doors, and the rear quarter panels appear to have nothing more than spots of surface corrosion. The external trim and chrome are showing the ravages of time, and restoration or replacement will be on the cards for most of it. The glass looks like it is okay, but the 3000 doesn’t appear to have a Convertible top.
So, what does the interior of the Healey need? If you answered, “everything,” then you are on the right track. The front seats and the rear seatback are missing, as are the door cards. The radio is gone, while the dash and wheel have severely deteriorated. Whipping the interior into shape has the potential to be one of the most expensive aspects of this restoration. That is because a high-quality interior trim kit is going to cost somewhere in the vicinity of $3,100, and that’s without factoring in the missing components. Throw in a further $480 for a replacement walnut dashboard set, and you are probably getting an understanding of what I meant about the cost. Playing Devil’s Advocate for a moment, it is a lot of money. However, if the interior is then kept correctly maintained, then it should last another 50-years or more. When you look at it that way, it isn’t quite that bad.
Under the hood of the Healey is the 2,912cc 6-cylinder engine, backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. An upgrade of the camshaft and carburetors over the previous generation meant that the BJ8 had 150hp to play with. That made it a car capable of covering the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds. Give it enough space, and 120mph was the ultimate destination. The engine and transmission in this car are original, and apart from the missing air cleaner, the vehicle is mechanically complete. The owner states that the engine turns freely and that it will run. Looking around under the Healey reveals some of the oil leaks that are so typical of these cars. During the restoration process, I would be inclined to replace all of the seals and gaskets as a matter of course. Depending on what shows up during inspection, a rebuild might not be necessary.
If you went out today with $30,000 burning a hole in your pocket, and what you wanted was a 1964 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8, you might get lucky. However, you would need to add a further $5,000 if you wanted something really respectable. Fancy a pristine example? Well, you’d best take at least another $15,000 with you. I have even seen cars sell for more than $70,000. That means that the potential is there to recoup the restoration costs of this car, provided the work is done correctly. The cost of the interior restoration alone is pretty daunting, but the financial rewards could be worth it. That is definitely something to think about.
Rust in the floors will also indicate rust on top of the frame. Areas like the rear trunk lid area and bottom of the front fenders all indicate a lot of metal work to rebuild this car. Unlike the previous Camaro this car will bring good money when restored but don’t expect a profit from a sale as there isn’t anything cheap about rebuilding these cars. If the reserve isn’t too much higher than the present bid it could be a good project.
Here’s a money pit for ya’. Brother had one, fun cars. Hot (or cold), cramped, poor handling and noisy, but fun. I’m surprised this car is in as poor shape as it is for a Cal. car. Looks as if it sat outside for 40 years. Southern states about the only place you’ll find one. They, like my brothers, were year ’round beaters up north, and NONE survived. As shown, they rust even in winter-free states. IDK, got 50 bids,so the interest is still there. Like it’s been said, people can do what they want with their seemingly “bottomless” pockets, but as the world turns, and peoples lives fall apart, I’m not so sure people will be buying $50 thousand dollar Healey’s in the future, and you’ll have at least that into this. Ol’ Moss gonna love you,,,
My guess is the rusty underside of a California car is from driving it on the beach. Been there, done that. Also owned and rebuilt 2 of these. Lotta work, lotta money.
Are we sure that this is a 64? I believe that would make it a BJ7. This looks a 65 BJ8 (sort of like my own rust bucket 65). With the floors in that shape, I can’t believe that the inner and outer rockers aren’t trashed too. Can’t see any frame sag so that may be good. While wild prices have been had for these, you can pretty readily find a very nice example in the $40-50K range. The work this car needs, if done by a shop, will put you quickly under water. Done by yourself, including paint, you could break even.
Howard, after going through 5 Austin Healey Sprite race cars (have two now) in the past 30 years Moss does truly love me.
As well as a lot of money, you also need first class skills, equipment and experience for these. Any rust you can see is 1/3 of the rust there is as a norm. And, though it’s a separate frame with detachable panel bodywork, getting correct fit and finish is far from easy.
As other commentators have said, if you have all the above, and the money, you may only lose $10000 in the process.