Austin Healy 3000 MkII

[browellm]

Let me preface this by saying I normally have little to no interest in classic cars, but I walked past this stunner today and I'm in love. How much for one of these in tip top condition?

 

[Guest]

£30-50k?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C328785

 

[pmac]

Beautiful

 

[rockmeister]

yup, over £40 for a concours example, but there is company somewhere in east anglia if I remember right making replicas for aroung £25 and up depending on spec.

Can't find the link now but will go on looking.

One of the most beautiful sports cars ever made IMO. Prefer it to the E type and Cobra.

 

[browellm]

yup, over £40 for a concours example, but there is company somewhere in east anglia if I remember right making replicas for aroung £25 and up depending on spec.Can't find the link now but will go on looking.

One of the most beautiful sports cars ever made IMO. Prefer it to the E type and Cobra.

Sebring? www.sebringinternational.co.uk

 

[rockmeister]

you beat me to it

http://www.sebringinternational.co.uk/sx.html

lol

well I can't comment on the drive, never even sen on in the flesh but was tempted 3 or 4 years back, until I found this as a project if ever I get bored

and rich

http://www.nostalgiacars.co.uk/jaguar_full_details.html

 

[mj446]

Looked at the Sebring site a couple of times but can't quite commit, seem like a good idea, I have seen a couple of the finished cars and was very impressed.

 

[browellm]

20 grand

 

[Samantha]

Lovely - you tempted Mark?

At 20k..... that is very tempting, but I need to reduce the car count not increase it!

 

[Hornucopia]

There used to be a Specialist here in Bristol.

Had a lift once in one in 60s.

Bumpy; not as quick as the (7 litre?) Jensen Interceptor that whizzed me from Carlisle to Newcastle one time.

Yes, I DID get lucky with hitching!

One time in a Rally-drivers SAAB; bottom clenching !

 

[GJO]

We looked at one of these about 10-12 years ago,then they were around the 20K mark,but we preferred the TR6 as it was more comfortable,seats in the Healey were most uncomfortable.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-Healey-3000-in-the-original-Golden-Beige-Extremely-Rare-For-Sale-1967-/271054122962?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f1c15afd2

Would have been a good investment though as prices have gone up over the years.

 

[rcook]

Also consider a HMC, which was a fibreglass replica. They will be cheaper than Sebrings and much cheaper than an original. Used Rover V8s

 

[rabski]

Let's not get carried away people. They do, I fully agree, look stunning. However, they drive like a complete piece of shit. Marginal brakes, appalling handling and minimal road holding.

If you want something to drive at 20mph down country lanes in the summer then go for it. There are few better looking equivalents. But please don't expect it to drive nicely, because it won't. They never did new and they sure as hell don't now.

Your Bristol guy Chris, was a Mr Chatham. Don't know whether he's still in business, but he used to do Healey spares and rebuilds and owned some of the famous ones, including a Monte Carlo car and a couple of road racers. Lovely guy who I met a few times, but a realist who recognised that, at the time, his modded Peugeot 205 GTi would crucify any of them.

Sensible money by comparison I suppose, but I'd take a E-Type anytime in preference. And have done on a few occasions. Not that they aren't shit too by modern standards, but they do look better IMHO.

 

[ERICLIMPIT]

20K would get you an ok runner with mot, but if you wanted "tip top" condition 3000 mk111 (as pictured) then you need to be looking at £70k+

 

[rockmeister]

Let's not get carried away people. They do, I fully agree, look stunning. However, they drive like a complete piece of shit. Marginal brakes, appalling handling and minimal road holding.If you want something to drive at 20mph down country lanes in the summer then go for it. There are few better looking equivalents. But please don't expect it to drive nicely, because it won't. They never did new and they sure as hell don't now.

Slight dramatisation grumpy ass...

The ones I've owned, borrowed or driven were all fine...if you have some skills.

Of course they don't handle like a modern car, but learn how to enjoy one (I'd go nearer 60 than 20) and the sound and feeling of a straight 6

foot hard on the floor, bit of countersteer as you leave a (preferably gritty) corner in third, suspension squatted down, steering gone too light.

Well. Makes I smile anyroad!

Stopping? Just have one glass of wine less and think ahead!

 

[Samantha]

20K would get you an ok runner with mot, but if you wanted "tip top" condition 3000 mk111 (as pictured) then you need to be looking at £70k+

The £20k option is the modern replica version which will also (I presume) drive better with more modern brakes etc.

 

[ERICLIMPIT]

The £20k option is the modern replica version which will also (I presume) drive better with more modern brakes etc.

Yep it certainly will drive/stop better than the originals.

And just a word of warning to all those foolhardy/brave enough to think about cars of this era, all of them are plotting to try and kill you! my old TR6 nearly did for me approaching a roundabout at 60mph and decided to let go the seals in the brake master cylinder... no brakes on a busy roundabout that sure loosens the bowels:shock:

Thanks but I'll stick to my boring old e class thanks very much.

 

[brystonian]

I was sitting next my friend Chris when he did this to his. Luckily only doing about 40-50mph. I haven't asked him how much it cost to straighten out, but it's rallying again.

 

[rabski]

Slight dramatisation grumpy ass...The ones I've owned, borrowed or driven were all fine...if you have some skills.

Of course they don't handle like a modern car, but learn how to enjoy one (I'd go nearer 60 than 20) and the sound and feeling of a straight 6

foot hard on the floor, bit of countersteer as you leave a (preferably gritty) corner in third, suspension squatted down, steering gone too light.

Well. Makes I smile anyroad!

Stopping? Just have one glass of wine less and think ahead!

With all due respect, bollocks.

It's not a question of skill, it's simply that the roads in the 60s were not the same as they are now.

The world has moved on son. A 1960s car is unusable on today's roads, fun though they might be.

I spent my youth hooning around in various things with straight sixes under the prow and a few with flat sixes under the boot. It's just not the same world any more.

E-Types et al. were of their time, but their time is not this time mate.

Unless you pussy about like a twat, you have absolutely no chance of using the potential of a Healey or E-Type so long as you want to stay alive. The roads and traffic are a different universe.

If you have the money, then stick one in a barn, polish it and enjoy the aesthetics. That's all you will be able to properly enjoy, because if you tried to use one on the road in the way they were supposed to be used, someone will be nailing the lid on in a few days.