1965 Austin Healey

BJ8 Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

H-BJ8-L/28874

Clear

Gasoline

This Healey spent its early years in California and Colorado before being shipped to Boston for restoration in 2002. At the time it had 25,000 miles on the odometer. In 2002 the following restoration ($35,000) items were completed: Frame on body restoration – parts were ordered from multiple vendors to select best fit New or repaired A and B pillars New Floors New Sills New Out riggers Body stripped to bare metal Steel and aluminum parts primed independently with appropriate primers for each metal Painted correct Colorado Red – Black coves added as a personal preference 2 clear coats and buffed to gloss Chrome was cleaned or replaced – some patina on boot straps New windshield New rubber/felt seals around doors Gas tank relined New dual exhaust New rear springs New front shocks New rubber suspension bushings New convertible top – better than new quality with new fasteners Engine was strong with good compression – top end redone for unleaded New battery New hoses Rebuilt brake calipers New tires New seat belts with welded floor plates In 2003 I purchased the car with 26,500 miles on the odometer The following restoration items were completed in 2004 Resealed fitting for oil gauge Replace valve cover gasket Replace choke cables Changes all fluids, bearing replaced and repacked, spark plugs replaced Replaced rear shocks with remanufactured units Replaced rear shock links Rebuilt carburetors Replaced window guides and seals Replace window regulator assemblies Replaced door glass both sides Added rear seat belts Replaced heater panel – heater does not operate – don’t care enough to fix it Replaced wood dash with $900 show dash – none more beautiful anywhere Replaced dash top Replaced shift boot Replaced steering wheel with moto lita wood – still have original in good condition Replaced directional arrow light assemblies New center arm rest New door panels and kick panels New speaker bezel Reproduction radio/CD and speakers with power converter 4 new 72 spoke chrome wire wheels and spinners New gas cap Radiator cap Tenax fasteners Replaced overdrive switch Removed and stored original (restored) front bumper and valence Added tow/fog light brackets from Cape International Added Lucas reproduction driving lamps Rubber floor mats New boot cover fitted Boot seal Rebuilt generator and adjusted regulator In 2010 the following work was completed: Entire front end rebuilt by Sports Car Services of Vermont King Pins, Trunion Pins, bushings, bearings, seals, zirks, boots, Inspect and adjust rear brakes Replaced several gaskets, seals Replaced hub nuts Repair and replace stub axel assemblies, clean, set up, repack bearings Cut out and replaced old chassie repair with as original fabrication New battery, battery hold down assembly and tray Replaced spare tire hold down strap Replaced fuel filler neck panel What we now offer for sale is a beautiful 32,000 mile driver. It’s dependable and very sharp, but it’s still a driver. The remaining restoration work is in the engine bay, which has been cleaned up but not yet restored. With the exception of the heater, everything works including the Overdrive. The heater may simply need to be connected since I’ve replaced the control panel. I doubt the photos of the undercarriage will show how solid the frame and body are. When I began to clean the undercarriage, which looked like it had 40 years of accumulated crud, the original red paint on the frame was perfect. Someone had undercoated much of the car years ago and it had preserved all except the front rail which had been repaired and then replaced again with an as original fabrication. I have not painted and re-undercoated the areas where I cleaned or had repaired so that prospective buyers could see everything as is. So it doesn’t present well, but it is rock solid. All this car could use is more clean-up and engine bay paint touch up to taste. All door lines and body panels fit perfectly and I’ve resisted over-restoration to preserve some sense of history. The next owner could do nothing and proudly enjoy this Healey, or continue with an easy detail of the engine bay and undercarriage.