1954 Austin Healey

Other

4 - Cyl.

Manual

BN1L-156610

Gasoline

Backed “Brutus” in to my shop in 2002, put him up on jack stands (1st photo), removed windshield, fenders, doors, etc. (subsequent pics from three days ago) with the intent of restoring him to his former glory. His compression was 145/144/145/130 psi. Squirted oil in #4 and compression came up to 138…assume bad rings and valves in #4 cylinder. He has some rust/corrosion in the front rockers and at the bottom of the rear posts. His floor is solid. His oil pan is dented…go figure! At some point, Brutus’ original aluminum boot (trunk) lid was replaced with a steel lid. Auction includes a pretty nice aluminum lid (red in photo) and an original “Austin of England” trunk badge. His steering wheel is sad and badly cracked. Auction includes a slightly cracked/easily restorable steering wheel. His tilting windscreen is not original glass, but in good shape. Auction includes new repro tilting springs from Roger Moment, repro (left hand thread) chrome hangers and very rare repro (polished SS) ears. So Brutus is complete except bumpers and one small rear brake part. Repro bumpers are readily available, but the brake part is not to be found…may have to be machined from scratch using the matching piece as a template. I only drove Brutus about 3 miles (without the transmission cover, no door latches and no brakes) rattling and shaking down the road at about 45 mph. I have a BMW 635CSI (it has a little shake at 105 mph, but smoothes back out at 110) and have had three other Austin-Healeys including a 3000 with an unbalanceable triple carb setup…and that short ride with Brutus 9 years ago still gives me goose bumps…he is a truly a “Handsome Brute”. I have two bad knees and a bad hip…can’t even stand for more than about 20 minutes, so I am giving up on restoring my friend and hoping someone else will pick up the torch. Brutus is readily available for inspection in Chico, CA (about 90 miles north of Sacramento) by a potential buyer or the potential buyer’s representative. Pickup/shipping to be at Buyers cost and arrangement. Please contact me at stevemickelson@sbcglobal.net or (530) 879-0316 to arrange for inspection. Please post any pertinent questions on this listing for all to see. Additional specific photos available upon request. Really hope Brutus finds a new home and returns to glory. Steve Mickelson AHCUSA & AHC Sweden Good luck. I hope Brutus goes to someone that will restore him and enjoy him. Steve Mickelson ADDED 21 MARCH: Brutus recently sold quickly at a lower price, but buyer could not arrange overseas shipping. The buy-it-now price includes a 4' x 4' x 8' crate of all the loose parts with an itemized list. I believe it would be fairly easy to set the crate on top of the rolling chassis and then roll or winch the whole deal into or on to a truck or trailer. I don't see a safe or easy way to just "throw" all the loose parts (fenders, doors, windscreen, seats, top, boxes, etc.) into the chassis for shipping. On Mar-21-11 at 14:57:22 PDT, seller added the following information: ADDED 21 MARCH...SORRY ABOUT THE BOOT LID/BONNET LID CONFUSION...THE BONNET (ENGINE HOOD) WAS AND IS ORIGINAL STEEL WITH MATCHING STAMPED BODY NUMBER. (WAS ALUMINUM BEFORE CAR NUMBER 156120). THE BOOT (TRUNK) LID WAS ORIGINALLY ALUMINUM (CHANGED TO STEEL AT CAR NUMBER 158100), SO THE ALUMINUM BOOT LID IS GOOD TO HAVE IF YOU WANT TO GO AN ORIGINAL AND/OR A CONCOURS RESTORATION. FWIW I PAID $350 FOR THE ALUMINUM BOOT LID ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME...I'M AN OPEN BOOK ABOUT ALL THIS INFO...BIG ON HONESTY, EVEN WHEN IT BITES ME IN THE ASS. OH, UH, AND I WILL NOT PULL THIS OFF OF EBAY FOR A PRIVATE SALE...NOT FAIR TO ADVERTISE ON EBAY AND THEN SELL WITHOUT THEM GETTING THEIR FAIR COMMISSION.On Mar-21-11 at 15:25:18 PDT, seller added the following information: THIS INQUIRY WAS SENT AND ANSWERED BY PRIVATE EMAIL: To: stevemickelson@sbcglobal.net Hi Steve, I was looking at your add and noticed that you mention a "buy it now price". However, I don't see one in your add. Do you have a number in mind? Is the transmission a 3 or 4 speed? The earlier models were often converted to the 4 speed with overdrive of the BN2's; Hard to tell but is it safe to assume that the upholstry and top are in need of replacement? Are all the bows for the top present? Is the tool kit & Jack with the car? Thanks __________RESPONSE_________________ Buy-it-now is $18,000 including itemized crate of all loose parts. 3 speed with overdrive is the original BN1 with matching numbers. Upholstery is kinda O.K., but I had planned to replace it. There is a photo of the seats...all the original carpet and upholstery is included. I only saved those pieces for patterns. It includes the original ashtray! Yes, the top and bows are original and complete. I will be listing an original restorable United Laminations Hardtop in a separate auction soon that would allow more pleasant winter driving. The hardtop was one of only (6) that was Healey factory installed with domelight on BN1s and BN2s No tools or Jack are included. Hurry if you are serious...I have a flurry of interest...one guy is on his way here with a pickup truck, car trailer and cash to inspect in a few hours. Best. SteveOn Mar-21-11 at 16:44:44 PDT, seller added the following information: WELL, THANKS TO A FLAW IN EBAY THINKING, THE BUY-IT-NOW PRICE DISAPPEARS AFTER THERE IS A BID. AS A COMPROMISE, I HAVE ASKED THEM TO SET A RESERVE PRICE OF $16,000 (BUT DON'T YET KNOW IF IT HAPPENED), SO THE LISTING SHOULD NOW SHOW "RESERVE NOT MET". SORRY. I WOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY HAPPY WITH SOMEONE THAT WAS WILLING TO PAY THE OLD BUY-IT-NOW PRICE OF $18,000. I THINK $16,000 IS A GOOD DEAL, BUT SUPPOSE WE WILL ALL NOW HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE FINAL SECONDS OF THE AUCTION TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. BEST TO ALL. QUESTIONS WELCOME.On Mar-24-11 at 12:23:06 PDT, seller added the following information: ADDED 24 MARCH IN RESPONSE TO A PRIVATE EMAIL: Hi John, All numbers match except the boot (trunk) lid. Cockpit surround mouldings, edge of engine hood, frame stamping, engine number, nameplate and apron all match. Car Number BN1L-156610 Engine 1B213630 Batch 4667 Body 3503 BMIHT Certificate: 26 May 1954 California Car. I am third owner. 2nd owner (friend of mine) bought it in Southern California. Title is clear, Original Black License is current, registered as Non-Op. Best. Steve Steve, Is this a matching numbers car? Where did it live all these years? Thanks John On Mar-29-11 at 09:57:29 PDT, seller added the following information: I have one pretty decent photo of the undercarriage, and four more photos of the engine, but have reached the limit on photos. I cannot add them without deleting existing photos... and eBay doesn't tell me how to delete photos...? Please email me at stevemickelson@sbcglobal.net if you would like me to email the photos to you. Just put "More Pics" as the subject and I'll send 'em. Thank you. SteveOn Mar-30-11 at 13:03:05 PDT, seller added the following information: From an email inquiry: Hi Steve, Do you still have all the original screws, bolts, hardware etc Hi….., yes the auction includes all the parts that were on the car in the first photo plus the soft top. It is only missing the bumpers and the one small brake part...Oh and there are no batteries. The electric fuel pump (worked) but is not original. It includes a replacement aluminum boot (trunk) lid, a pretty nice steering wheel, new reproduction windscreen spring posts, new reproduction springs and reproduction spring ears. Brutus was running when I backed him into the shop in that photo. Best. Steve