1959 Austin Healey

Mark I Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

HBT7L/1652

Clear

Gasoline

My Healey’s Story: Upon my purchase in 1999 of a project 1957 Austin Healey 100-6 from Iowa, I soon learned what were the typical Healey rust prone areas especially when exposed to and aggravated by road salt exposure. This meant the 100-6 needed both frame repair and major body panel repair which also led me to conclude that I was most likely in over my head so I began a new search for a better Healey. In early 2000 while looking through the typical paper advertisements of the time I ran across an ad from a small south central Texas special interest car dealer for the Primrose yellow 1959 Austin Healey 3000 that is advertised here today on eBay. After going and meeting the Dealer I noticed that the Healey was last legally Texas state inspected 1/13/1983 with 73,025 miles (now showing 73,153 miles). In looking over and under the car I discovered that this 3000 was a non-molested, refreshingly honest, never restored, solid dry example that still retained all its original “non-patched” body panels. When checking the motor it wouldn’t turn by hand so it was assumed to be frozen/stuck (after my purchase this was later proved false as the water pump itself was stuck). Needless to say I sold the rusted out 100-6 and bought the yellow 3000 as it was a much much better example. Subsequently upon ordering the British Heritage Production Trace Certificate it was revealed that when new in 1959, this Healey was originally shipped to Jacksonville Florida as well as it still retains its original number matching motor. I’ve owned this exceptionally original Austin Healey for over ten years and it’s been garaged stored in it’s “as found” condition. Overview of the condition of the car: Body: Definitely very nice original sheet metal. As you’ll see in the pictures the underside of this 3000 has all its original frame components (out-riggers, floors rockers, original sub-frames etc. There is virtually no evidence of any past major rust as you would expect for a car that since at least 1983 has spent the majority of its life in south central Texas. There is some light surface rust and/or flakes but I can’t find any evidence of any previous rust though repairs. In fact as you can see a high percentage of the underside still shows original Primrose yellow paint. For that matter the exterior of the body displays no evidence of ever being repainted. There is some damage to the right fender in the headlight area as well as a dent in the fender behind the right rear wheel. I’m sure there are some small dings, dents, bumps and bruises but I haven’t been able to locate any evidence of a major collision. The hood does have a couple of slight edge kinks as well as the trunk lid has some edge kinks and if I recall correctly a couple of small dents above the rear bumper. The trunk does have some acid rust though in the battery area. The driver’s side rear dog-leg does have a an area about two inches long that is starting to crack open (dirt packed on the backside I suspect). The bottom rear corners of the doors also each have an area about an one inch long that I’m assuming is where water would collect. I’m being picky and for what it’s worth these areas haven’t changed in the years I’ve owned the car. Exterior: The rubber gaskets and seals are original and as you can imagine are in varying states of deterioration. The chrome is in decent condition, but again it is original and not perfect. Driver’s door handle is cracked/broken. Bumpers need some straightening. Weather Protection: Top frame is missing. Side curtains were present when purchased and are included. Windshield is cracked. Interior: The rear seat back is still the original though the cotton thread is deteriorated. The front seats and rear seat pans have been obviously recovered some time long in the past. Carpeting was non-original and I removed it shortly after it was purchased. Steering wheel has delaminated. To the best of my knowledge the dash, instruments and controls are all present. Electrical system: Never investigated - though at various times over the years I would check and I know that the majority of the exterior lights functioned in addition to the blower motor, dash lights etc. Brake system: Never investigated - assumed to need refurbishment. Rear left-hand drum was in trunk when I bought the car. Cooling System: The original radiator was pulled in preparation for the water pump replacement. Lubrication system: · Upon cranking the motor over the oil pressure gauge will build up pressure. Exhaust system: The system is not usable but I do have a fairly clean used system that could be included with the car upon its sale. Fuel system: Carburetor linkage is stuck and I’ve never investigated further though I’ve assumed all components to need refurbishment. Tires: As you would expect all need to be replaced. Known missing items: Tools Spare Wheel Jack Top frame Overall currently the Healey is still a non-runner but in the last year or so I did confirm it had spark and it would fire and run for a few seconds on starting fluid. Again until the carburetors are rebuilt and the linkage freed up then further work can be pursued on the drive train. Summary: Please do keep in mind this is a 52 year-old car that has never undergone a full restoration and from what I can tell none of the body panels have ever been removed. When my Dad first saw this 3000 (he maintained and/or restored several Healeys since the late sixties) he had an interesting observation in that unlike many other Healeys it is virtually as it was assembled when new including virtually all the fasteners. The more I had thought about that it seemed that perhaps the path taken by the collectors in Europe could be the best path for this car. It would be fairly easy to get the car mechanically renovated and drive it as it is as a Survivor. Of course there is the other option of what an excellent undisturbed candidate this car would be for restoration. Interestingly enough in June 2010 there was a crash damaged 100-6 barnfind that was sold by Bonhams & Butterfields for $12K ($14,040 w/commission) during the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance. A couple of days ago I happened to notice that the August 2011 issue of Octane magazine has an article written by Dave Selby (UK & Europe Report) where he observes that there are fewer and fewer undiscovered barnfinds left in the world. This Healey is a good original rare car that someone could do number of things with depending on his or her tastes although I wanted to maintain/preserve the car as they are no longer original once they’ve been restored. However with that being said and with this car being honest and non-modified it would be an excellent candidate for restoration should that be the owner’s preference. I am a hobbyist who loves old cars and I have tried to list the good, the bad and the ugly so that you can make an informed decision with regards to the description of the car with no intention of misrepresenting it in anyway. I was brought up to treat a person how I’d want to be treated and that’s what I live by. The decision so sell this Healey has been difficult as for years I really wanted to only do the necessary mechanical refurbishment it needed so I could drive it as a daily driver in it’s “as found” condition. But it is time for me to admit that there are more pressing family commitments that I need to attend to so unfortunately (for me) it’s time to let this Healey go to it’s next caretaker. I have set a very reasonable reserve on this early 3000 especially when considering both the strength of the car as a whole as well as the multiple options that it offers. I am not a professional in the car business and of course I need to say that the Healey is being sold, as is/where is with no warranty. The buyer is responsible for the arrangements as well as the expenses for the transportation and/or shipping of the Healey. Of course since the Healey is a non-runner it will need to be picked up via a trailer or flatbed/rollback truck and I‘ll do my best to be flexible for the timing of the pick-up. The title is clear and in my name. A deposit of $1000.00 via Paypal or Bank Wire Transfer must be received within three days of the auction end. The balance of the payment is due via Bank Wire Transfer prior to the car being picked up and/or title transfer both of which need to be completed within 30 days of the auction ending. I’ll do my best to help provide any additional information, pictures etc. should it be necessary and thanks for looking at my auction! On Jul-20-11 at 19:54:47 PDT, seller added the following information: 2011-07-20 Hello All, In response to many requests I've gotten regarding the reserve on the auction I wanted to give a quick update which may be of some help. Since the bids are now in the $9K USD range I wanted to pass along that the reserve is very very close to being satisfied (within hundreds of dollars, not thousands). I know as a Bidder similar information from an eBay Seller helped me buy a Mini Cooper about ten years ago (but now gone) so I thought I'd respond in kind. Thanks for your interest in my Healey and best of luck. Regards, Phil On Jul-24-11 at 16:19:53 PDT, seller added the following information: 2011-07-24 Hello All, Quick update/disclosure on three items: Less than an hour ago I did find one area that did have some rust through that I had overlooked (hard to believe with how picky I am) which is the inner right door bottom area (horizontal) where the door skin is folded over. There must of been some water sitting in there at some point in time (again it's not salt rust damage and it's only this door) which caused the damage - so the door skin flange is still intact and unbroken but it has became somewhat unfolded. Maybe I'm too fussy/picky on a fifty year-old car (judge for yourself based on the description and all around photos I provided) but though you ought to know.I've had multiple offers both in state/out-of-state from enthusiasts and Restoration Shops asking me for a "Buy It Now" price to stop the auction. I'm not going to stop the auction as to me this is like a book or a movie in that if we don't get to end we will never know how things turn out. You only live once and this is a life adventure!Lastly just so you know we are basically ready to meet the reserve which is $9,750.00 USD. Best of luck and thanks very much for your interest in my auction! Phil