When is an Austin-Healey not an Austin-Healey? When it’s a Fiberfab Jamaican! This rebodied 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 was supposedly parked in 1969. It’s located in Laguna Beach, California, and is advertised here on Craigslist. Though the current owner hasn’t given a price for this fiberglass beauty, he does seem to be willing to listen to offers. Many thanks to Barn Finds reader Rex B for this tip!
The Jamaican could be built on a variety of platforms, from the ubiquitous Volkswagen (though the rear-engine layout required substantial modifications) to Triumphs and MGAs. From the advertisement, it would seem that this example relied on a 1963 Austin-Healey 3000, which would have been equipped with a 3L inline-6 producing around 140 brake horsepower. The seller mentions that the engine looks to be in pristine condition, and it’s hard to think of a more suitable powerplant for a late-sixties custom sports car. He also mentions an “electric” five-speed (perhaps a four-speed with Laycock-de Normanville overdrive?). The pictures we have seem to show a well-preserved chassis and a complete fiberglass shell– but, as always, an in-person inspection would yield more information.
Several articles about the Jamaican mention its resemblance to Italian grand tourers of the day, but to be completely honest I don’t see more than a passing resemblance. If anything, the car vaguely reminds me of the Pontiac Banshee prototype of 1966. The plot thickens a bit when one learns that Fiberfab had fielded a model called the Banshee, but reached an agreement with GM executives to hand over the name after Bud Goodwin had visited GM in the mid-60s. The resemblance might be most noticeable in the recessed Kammback, but perhaps this is stretching a bit. In truth, Fiberfab drew from an amazing pool of talent and the designers of the Jamaican were more than capable of producing a striking GT without cribbing someone else’s notes.
The ad itself is a little confusing, as it’s not entirely clear that the car is for sale. Having apparently advertised the car previously, the current owner now seems perfectly happy to keep and restore it himself. Still, the posting indicates that he is open to offers and willing to share photos and information, so perhaps the difference between “not for sale” and “it’s yours” comes down to agreeing on the right number. Regardless, Jamaicans done right are stunning vehicles and, given its foundations, this one should also eventually be capable of respectable performance.
Looks more like a Datsun Z than anything else to me.
It all gets back to how much time and money you want to spend on building a car. At least you don’t start with a rust bucket but I don’t see a lot of parts going along with this car.
I am a very rare duck here having owned a Jamaican just like this and as I have commented before Fiberfab made a huge mistake in not hanging the doors and not putting in the side windows and door locks. It is my firm belief that if they had done so their sales would have been much larger.
The quality of the fiberglass is from good too excellent. The parts needed to finish the car that can come from junk yards, wrecks and doaner cars is amazing especially the fact that the front and rear windows will fit perfectly. I was never a great fan of the interiors of any of their cars but I understand why they did what they did.
They are far better looking in real life than in photos but do not fool yourself there is a HUGE amount of work involved getting the chassis right, then fitting the body, doors and all the rest. Then comes the wiring and interior. Even with friends this is a project that will take a professional shop more than a few months and for an individual with talented friends a few years to assemble.
Is it worth the effort. I thought so when I was in my early 20’s and had access to a professional restoration shop, and talented friends to help fit everything. If you lack that critical element I would suggest you pass on this one but if you ever have the chance to drive a finished one? Check it out for safety, that little things like brakes work and the rest and then drive one. I think you would be surprised how nice they can be.
I wish that there were at least plans for a tubular chassis to go under these things. I wish especially that they had an independent suspension as well. Under the right hands with those features they could have been a competitor to the Corvettes of the day. However with the Jamaican I would worry about front end up lift.
Mine got assembled but never put on the road as life got in the way and I needed the funds. I ended up losing money on the car but what I learned was well worth both the time and money. If you are doing the work yourself and you are not a mechanic you will be by the time you finish. You will also be a painter, a body man, an automotive electrician etc, etc, etc, etc.
Makes you ‘cringe” a little when you see the chassis photo’s were taken with the car on a fork lift!
Looks just like mine when I bought it. It was in Oklahoma and I live in Scotland. Mine is Healey 3000 based too
The Austin-Healey 3000 used a six speed transmission, with electric Laycock de Normandville overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears. As for the car’s looks, I do see an Italian connection, Andy P. Have a look at a picture of a Maserati Ghibli coupe and you will see what I mean.
Though I’m in Wisconsin, I’ve a friend in the LA basin who MIGHT be willing to look at this car. It’s a meld of Miura, GTO and the Ghibli in its design, my brother, Russ and I were smitten by their designs and put a mix of our favorites into the Jamaican.
Amazing way to seel a car, 2 pics of the body from the same side and then chassis pics while lifted by a fork truck, oh no…..kinda what is the seller thinking! Need some actuall pictures of the car!!!! WTF???
Any idea’s how much this is worth?
I swear i saw a comment on a previous fiberfab post from a guy who claimed to be an ex-employee and that the Nissan Z guy had taken measurements off the Jamaican for his concept… But i have never found anything to corroborate that story. Always love these 60s/70s kit cars nonetheless.
Chris Beebe, who posted above, along with his brother Russ, designed the Jamaican. How often do you get the original designers posting on Barnfinds !
There is a Datsun connection. Larry Shinoda ( of GM ) was involved in selling the moulds to Datsun prior to 1971. They even have their own Facebook page now
Albrect Goertz, claimed designer of the Datsun 240 Z, or Fairlady on Japan’s home shores, was allowed a visit to F-Fab, where he and his crew took photos, scaled measurements and ideas from the raw, clay Jamaican buck.
I still have the 1st ever Jamaican body to come out of the mould, still setting on a Healey frame with a tri-carb 3000 drive-train, o/drive and all.
It sure would be easier for the builder if the doors were pre-hung at F-fab, easier also if the window regulators, glass and all were installed too, but, .. THAT’s what building your own car is all about. You will remember each and every task involved, give yourself choices and come up with decisions that are YOURS ! It’s the testing the abilities and limits each builder faces that brings the real and fulfilling reward of a home-built vehicle.