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Austin-Healeys
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I have gathered information on MGB, TR6,& A-H. My wife likes the look of the Healey's(who wouldnt), but I have never owned one of these.
I have been told that as long as you get one that has been carefully restored and updated, one can drive these on a regular basis with normal, 1960s type, maintenance.
Is this true? I know if we get one, she will want to drive it as much as possible.
Mike
Check it out, and if you are in the North East maybe plan a trip - these are great cars.
www.themechanics.on.ca
Of the ones you mentioned, the MGB is easily the most rugged, easiest to repair and by far easiest to find parts for. You can find, and order to your door, absolutely ANY part for an MGB...ANY part. Along with the VW bug and Model A Ford, I can't think of a more extensive parts network at reasonably prices for any old car.
By the same token, being the simplest and most plentiful of the British cars in question, it is also the least valuable--although this is changing rapidly.
With the MGB realm, there are certain years and models that are desirable and others much less so.
I myself prefer post 1967, since you get a synchro first gear and 5 main bearing engine, and pre 1975, because from 1975-1980 you get the rubber bumpered car with raised suspension and weak engines. These rubber bumpered cars are much less fun to drive and much less attractive, in my and just about any MGB lovers opinion. I cannot emphasize strongly enough to avoid the rubber bumper cars unless you get the deal of the century, and then avoid it anyway.
Further nice features, if you can find them, would be a roadster or coupe (MGB-GT) with overdrive transmission--this makes for a better road car. Many people like wire wheels, and so do I, but disk wheels are stronger and require less care.
Some MG enthusiasts seem to think that the MGC is a rare and valuable car, and while I agree it is rare, my own preferences force me to advise also staying away from the MGC---it is a heavy car (6 cylinder) with a lazy engine and it does not share many of the MGB parts--hence harder to restore and maintain, and yet less valuable than a good MGB roadster.
Last of all, avoid heavily modified cars, specifically ones that have Webber carburators installed. They eat fuel and don't make the car run any better except perhaps at full throttle. The SU carburators are quite simple and wonderful if they are in good shape and adjusted.
You may expect to pay anywhere from $4,500 to $8,500 for a very good, decent, well-sorted MGB.
As for Triumph, I very much like the TR6 over any other Triumph, but as a second choice the GT6 coupe would be okay, and a lot cheaper ($3,500 as opposed for $7,500 and up for a really good TR6).
As for Healeys, these are the most expensive and complicated of the bunch, ($15,000 on up) so if you're really determined to have one of those, get back to us here and we'll fill you in on the best and the worst of the A-H fleet.
good luck in your search,
Your Host
Thanks for the info.The MGB sounds great to me, but my wife likes the MGA better. She has also ruled out the TR6. I believe we are leaning toward the AH, and to a lesser extent, the MGA. I have some literature on AH's that I will pick up today.
From the small amount of investigation I have done, sounds like the MKIII 3000 Phase 2 may be the one. Roll up windows and higher ground clearence would be nice features, but there are many other factors to consider.
I would personally take any of the Big Healeys, whichever one gives the biggest bang for the buck. Of course, an MGB to drive now while the search is on would be nice.
Anyone out there going to the North meets South 2000 event in Santa Maria Ca in April? Love to meet and share stories we got some good ones.
Mike s
Aka Irafatsar
www.smlind.com/ira
Forgive me if I'm vague/wrong, but I'm on the road and can't look up my old cars' information.
I started out with a '47 Jeep CJ-2 at 16 after having three motorcycles: two Ducati Broncos and a Honda 305 Superhawk. Eventually, a college friend got me into sportscars.
I got my first, a '58 Triumph TR-3A in 1967 which started a lifetime of self-abuse :-) After it was destroyed by a clueless left turn driver, I got a '62 A-H 3000 MkII with the jump seats. I kept this until I went into the USAF in 1970.
Since then I've had a '51 MG-TD, a '69 MGB, a '59 A-H Sprite (MkI, Bugeye or Frogeye), a '62 Spridget (titled a A-H), a Triumph Herald Convertible, and a '59 Triumph TR-3A.
I lived in the UK for 7 1/2 years and saw many more British cars that I wanted. I even got to tour the Morgan factory and visit the site where the MG factory stood. Truly holy ground for those that have suffered the disease.
I still have the '59 TR-3, want a Morgan +4 and regret trading in the 3000 to this day.
For kicks (and to relive the reliability) I ride one of my three Harley-Davidsons :-)
May all the lights be green, the oil pressure constant and the road ahead clear.
Just found this board, and I am SO happy there are others out there like me. I hate to tell you I am a girl though.
I picked up a 63 BJ7 for, are you ready for this? 6,500!
Of course we have been looking for 7 years for one and have always had cash set aside for the right moment. The guy who sold it to us was a car collector who had many cars. He had no room for this baby and felt guilty about it and did not want rain to touch it. Don't tell me Healey owners do not love their cars.
Make a long story short, he interviewed us for the car. Not hey you got the money? He had buyers but in the long run knew we would really take care of it. It could of been the way I was laying on it rubbing the hood and hugging the car that was the dead give away.
I can say we stole the car, but I won't, the man really wanted it to go to a good home and money was not the issue. Believe me the man had a wonderful collection of cars that were fully restored and beautiful.
This car is heaven, off white with black leather, roll up windows and runs like a kitten, okay a tiger. There is nothing like this car, pure driving fun, and the mountains never were so fun.
There is something about a car that brings back memories to people, a car that bikers go by and give you the thumbs up, a car that you park ( not too far from your sight) that people go out of their way to go up to and fantasize about. I love being asked about my car and I am happy to share info with them.
I think it is really a beautiful car, yet mean looking at the same time but with style.
Yes, I HATE speed bumps! only bummer about this car.
Do I love it? What do you think
I am leaving now, must go worship my car!
Take care guys, I am one lucky girl.
Shari
A car with good eyeball at ten feet can actually be a bad buy even at a good price. You need to really look these cars over. They are not easy restorations, like a Sprite or an MGB, and getting the right parts, and the parts "right", is a challenge.
Sometimes you will see two identical-looking Healeys, same year and model, selling for $10,000 to $15,000 apart in price at a high-class auction.....one for $20K another for $35K. Both look great, but when you examine them, you see that the $35K car went for all the details, whereas the $20K car, while still attractive, has pitted chrome, wrong material for the interior, some bondo here and there, some pits on the spokes of the wire wheels.....lots and lots of small stuff that the restorer didn't want to deal with.
And of course, you put a V6 or V8 in one, and the car plummets to the $10K range.
Also, different models of Healeys are worth very different sums....some moels are much rarer and considered more attractive than others, and so the values rise and fall accordingly..
Last of all, there are fakes out there you need to watch out for.
Mine was a chance in a life time, never to be repeated.
Anyway this is not my first classic car I also have a 69 Porsche 912 but it is only a 4 cylinder dual carbs, before the 912 went into FIE. Letter of authenticity from Porsche and mint condition. I feel pretty good about it and it just goes up in value. I do like it for gas purposes which is a big plus and she is a pretty car without all the stuff done to it that people do. I am the 3rd owner and she is in just lovely condition.
I also have a real loser car, I have a 1961 Jaguar Mark X right hand drive and her papers from England,I got it off a nutty mailman for 300.00 the engine is good so I got it, total restore and not worth the effort, what a tank!
Any takers? LOL
I guess I love cars! Well some not all
Shari
I don't think the 912 is going to be very valuable in the future...prices are pretty stagnant, but they won't go down at least. I had one and I liked the car. Basically just a 356 engine mated to a stripped down 911 body...which is the problem in a way, as you can buy a 911 for just a little more money and you get a lot more car and a lot more engine. But I'd rather hold onto a 912 than a 912E, which is a VW engine.
Was reading your posts on the Jaguar boards. You are right about them!
I agree the 912 will not be most valuable, but it does hold it's value. I just got it a week ago at a good price. I bought it because I drive around a lot. My main car is my work van a Ford 350 V10. I just can't drive that thing around for silly stuff. The gas prices kill me on that thing. I bought the 912 because of the gas, that and I do not have to get it smogged in CA. I can honestly say that I feel good about it because I know that this car holds value. I know not a huge value, but I know I can make my money back on this 912. That is why I feel good about it.
I am a business owner and I think about those things. Not so much to say, hey I have a Porsche.
It was a logical choice for many reasons, price, value, gas, smog tests and it is paid for. I sure enjoy it.
Now the Van is new and that darn thing is already in the shop getting a whole new rear end!
Making payments for it while in the shop, I really hate that.
Still no takers for the Jag Mark X? Think I will call one of those charities and have it hauled off. But then they may not want it either.
While any car can suffer from bent frames when in a crash Healey's suffer badly, worse than almost any other production car built. I have seen Healeys in fender benders from 20 mph hits with frames that were terribly bent. Almost any other car would have survived such an accident with, well, a bent fender and chrome and nothing else. The problem is especially acute with the front of the frame, especially the cross members (as I recall these cars have a ladder/box frame type construction). A relatively minor hit in the front can bend these frames beyond repair. Go to a British car meet. You will inevitably see one or two big Healeys driving around with bent frames. They are the ones that "crab" down the road.
The point is this. When looking at Healeys, look at all the things talked about on this board, but CLOSELY examine to see if the car has EVER been in an accident, especially a front end collision. Check to see the frame is perfectly straight, or better yet, have an experienced mechanic (and frame specialist) thoroughly check the car out. You can rebuild an engine, transmission, hydraulics, interior, etc., and none of that is cheap but they are all very do-able. A car with a bad frame is worthless. When you see a car like this run, don't walk away from the car.
I myself prefer a driver than a top flight car, but I would want it to be structurally sound.
Are you saying my Jag stinks? Well I have to agree with you.
What a loser it is!
What I meant was it's like that charming old house you see and are tempted to buy...then 1/2 million dollars later....
Actually, Mark Xs might make good parts donors for other types of Jaguars, so there is some good in them after all (The motto in front of The Shiftright School for Deliquent Automobiles says "There is no such thing as a completely bad car"...)
Hmmm...maybe that's not true, but as far as Healeys are concerned, they are all more than okay in my book, as long as the word "Austin" is in front of the word "Healey".
However, probably the least valuable (By quite a long shot) of the classic Jaguar saloons.
And boy can they rust! I took these pics 3 years or so ago... I went to look at a "nice" Mk10
http://www.jag-lovers.org/saloons/mk10.html
OY!
It also has, by far, the highest restoration costs. Much as a DC4 Would cost a lot more to restore than a P38...
But the P38 is a $3,000,000 plane when done...
Bill
They're not world beaters but they let even guys like me own a Jag, and they give you some insight into olde world motorcars. Nothing from that era from Detroit comes close. Just having that engine to look at is worth the price of admission. The brakes are the weak link, and all that leather and wood needs maintenance, but I'm kind of sorry I don't still have mine.
When I first bought it I showed it to a woman I knew and kidded her that it was supposed to attract females. She said she didn't believe it, as her fingers lovingly caressed the hood ornament...
I did do the research and read up on it. And yes the cost to restore far out ways what you could sell it for after you are done. If I am going to invest in a car like that, it would have to be a car that I would LOVE to keep and putz around in. Unfortunately the car is neither.
I did see a Mark X advertised at a dealer ship about 2 years ago, fully restored going for 20,000. I called them to get info on where I could get the parts. They were very happy to help me out and also told me they would be lucky to sell it. They said they would make next to nothing just wanting their money back in the restoring costs.
Had a long chat with them and decided it would be just sitting until I could find a home for it. The Jag guys here laugh at my Jag and tell me in many ways that there is NO way they would ever consider the Mark X. I guess my car is the joke of Jags. I do think it is cool looking and the engine is good, no rust any where, straight body all parts there, interior seats are gone and lining. Wood had been restored & gun metal gray.
There is a guy here in town that is interested in it. Heck if I make over the 400.00 cost and towing to get it here, I will take it and be happy and free up my garage for the next victim!
Take care, Oh thanks for the link, I did see your link before when looking at what the car looked like when done looks good.
Shari
Donald Healey, by the way, was pretty much a purist when it came to his cars, in that after he retired he didn't much like looking at Healeys that had been "modified" in any way.
Those are pics of a car that I was thinking of buying. Look underneath....
How bad is your Mk10?
Bill