Projects Austin Healey pulled from field, anyone know these?

I just pulled this from a guys field and brought it home, I'm currently cleaning tons of old leaves and pine cones out of it. I know it's an Austin Healey, but I don't know much more, I'm guessing from the early 60's, a 3000 MKII probably.

Does anyone know anything about these? Like what year it is, and what model for sure? Is it worth saving as a whole car, or best to part it out? It's really rough, some parts are missing, but some are there.

It's a cool looking car, but tiny, I don't know if I would physically fit into this thing. Just has one little seat in it, cool dashboard. I'm hoping to find more parts inside under all the dirt, I'm going back outside to keep cleaning and we'll see what's inside. Here's some pics.

 

i used to work with John Ledingham of Elon, VA and he could tell you what day of the week that car was built. sorry i don't have his number but he is on Google. too much trim missing for me to ID it; is it a 4 or 6 cyl car?
the Brits were paying good money for stuff rougher than that when i was working with John; we packed a 40' shipping container top to bottom with A/H and Triumph stuff in '94 and got about 20k then. the more i look at it, the more i'm thinking it's late 50's early '60's at least. the builder tag ought to be on the firewall IIRC.

 

Its' a 100-6. 3000's have roll up windows. look on the fire wall any you will likely see a tag with the model #BN4
Looks like an Overdrive trans in there (switch on dash)... worth a few bucks to the right party

 

As has been said - the crucial thing is; is it a 4 or 6 cylinder car. Colours look to be the absolute classic baby blue over olde english white.

Tiny car - fuck me..... this was one of the biggest, most hairy-chested British sports cars ever built.

 

the oval grill indicates its a 6 the 100 4 had a rounded triangle affair and had a folding windshield. If its a 100 6 it is named so for its 6 clyinder engine capable of 100 mph.

the transmission may be a reverse pattern 3 speed which was a four speed sourced froma lorrey with the granny first gear blocked. So 1st is downa nd to the right, 2nd up and to the left and 3rd down and to the left. the later 3000 series named for the 3000 cc 6 had a proper 4 speed. one of the best sounding 6 cylinder engines ever especially with the split exhaust that was available. they do clean up nicely



this is the 100 4

 

Nice !

 

Nice find, I always wanted one back home. You think thats small, I have a 64 Midget thats even smaller.

Alex

 

It's worth saving, regaurdless of model. The reason British sports cars have such great support behind them is because so many people still love them and are willing to restore and keep them.

 

that would make one bad ass gasser !!!!!!!!!!! jeffrey

 

For an English sports car they are very roomy. Friend in Tulsa used to have one with a small block chevy in it, kind of a poor boys Cobra. AH-3000's are pretty pricey now, enjoy it.

 

It's definitely a 6 cylinder, it's all complete under the hood, has 2 carbs on it. The shifter ball looks like it indicates a 4 speed. It's got some little sliding plastic side curtains for it, no wind ups. I took a closeup of the tags if that helps anyone with ID, I also took a closeup of the grille which says 3000 but it doesn't look like it'll fit into the hole. The car has knockoffs and disc brakes on it too, kinda neat.

 

At the BJ Auction they were going for really large dollars restored. I think you struck gold.

 

Wow! What a project!!
I used to own a cherry 1964 3000, in Wisconsin, no less. The Healey's were incredible cars. That one, however, would take a sizeable share of federal bailout money to restore. It looks like considerable rot underneath. I think if you started to dismantle it, you'd regret it due to the amount of rust damage you would uncover.

If I was you, I would sell it as is to a diehard moneybag enthusiast. Next I'd go find the bozo who left it sit in a field, and kick his sorry ass. Then I'd take the cash in hand and go buy something I could drive.

Great find. Thanks for sharing.

 

a restored one just recently sold for 99k..... I'd keep it all together and find a Healy buyer and make a nice profit.

 

You can run the serial number with British Motor Heritage Trust and get all the information about the car. Exact model, date built, etc. etc. Most Healey collectors research and register their cars thru that service.
http://www.healeyclub.org/heritage-certificate.aspx

My father has a 100-4 that he bought new in '55. It is still all original, and I grew up driving the car, so I have a special feeling for big Healeys. WHile yours is rough, it looks to be pretty complete, which will make it desireable to any number of Healey collector/restorers. I hope you consider selling it complete to someone who will restore the car. There are plenty of Healey Clubs etc. where you could advertise the car and put it in front of the right people. Nice find.

 

They make nice little hot rods.


This one clicked off 160's in the very early 60's at San Fernando dragstrip.

 

...cha-CHING$$$$$$ NICE SCORE...

 

Yep, that is a real deal British sports car. It might be rough but someone who really appreciates it. will jump all over it.

when I was a kid those were on my affordable fantisy car list for a long time.

 

Big Healeys even in ok condition can bring big bucks. There are always British car buffs out there looking. Austin Healeys and XKE Jaguars make them wet themselves. Put it out there, I'm sure someone will pay decent for it, even though in rough shape.

 

Neat car! Looks like either a really cool project for you, or a flip for another car. Either way, good job on you!

 

I have a friend who traded a 100-4 for a '32 roadster in '63 or '64. Still has the '32. It's a real time machine.

Nonetheless I love the Healeys and have had my hands in more than one sbf conversion back in the 60's and 70's. They were wicked fast with warmed up 289.

Charlie

 

The first Healey's were produced after the war. The first ones were the Abbott and the Westland which were built on a Riley frame with a Riley motor. Then came the 100-4 in "53 or "54 followed by the 100-6. 3000's appeared in late 1959 and ran thru 1965. There were two place and four place bodies. They all had two carbs except for the '62 which had three. '62 was the last year for side curtains. 1963 was the first year for roll up windows. They were great little cars. Quick, turn on a dime and a blast to drive.

 

Nice score, just drop a V8 in there.

 

I have a Bugeye in the barn and it is about 2/3 that size, I am 5 11, 230 + and I still fit, but getting in and out is a lot trickier than it was when I bought it in in 82. Looks like the grill is from a later model. Check the Moss motors catalog for stuff.

I have a friend who has restored maybe 20 over the past 30 years. Lots of hidden rust areas but restoration sheet metalis available, though pricey. I believe all the 6's were 4 speeds and most assuridly with the OD. Should be Laycock, de Normanville its a hang on planetary deal similar to the Borg Warner units.

 

Neat-O. I like it.

 

As saoid earlier they have a great sound when tuned properly. I did the body repair and paint on one years ago, that needs to go to a restorer and help you fund a Hot Rod prtoject.

 

The car is valuable and worth the rebuild or you can do the body work and stuff a small block ford or chev in it. I owned a 1954 Healy 100 4 banger. Blew the motor so decided to install a 327 chev with hilborn-vertex and did a 50 merc rear cut down in about 1957 or so. Ran 140 in the quarter mile and was one hell of a ride. Any way you go with it it will be worth your while.