1958 Austin Healey 100/6 Gorgeous Rust Free California Roadster Apart Since 1965

Further cleanout of surplus vintage cars and parts: This is a no reserve auction and the Austin Healey will be sold regardless of price, on or off auction.

THE STORY:

Am 76 and it's time to let go of my British car collection. Started about 50 years ago and the main objective was to buy one owner, original paint, rust free cars for pleasure and investment. Tough job. True original survivors were few and far between and the majority of the leftovers were pummeled to within an inch of their lives or were "weekend restored" junk, rusty beaters, money pits or overpriced trailer queens with a dubious history. An unrestored original, even though it may have faults, gives an accurate assessment of it's overall REAL condition along with plenty of time honored character (or the nauseating word "patina").

THE REST OF THE STORY:

This Austin Healey is the most rust free original 60 year old Healey you will ever see. A PERFECT car for the person who has been waiting for a rust free body and chassis and wants to do the mechanicals and other details themselves. If only they were all this good. Of the many Healeys in my warehouse this is by far the best. Bought new and driven in California from 1958 to 1965, when the owner passed away and left it to his son, whom I purchased it from about 28 years ago. At one point the son thought it might be neat to go racing so he completely disassembled the car in preparation for doing "racing stuff" but that's as far as he got. (Sounds familiar). The car has been garaged, disassembled, not on the road, not driven, not started, not used since 1965. That's the way I bought it 28 years ago and it has been stored in my garage unassembled for the past 28 years until a few months ago when we took it out of storage and reassembled it. Minor assembly mind you - it was a rolling body/chassis with all major parts never taken apart such as the fenders, shrouds, doors, trunk lid, hood. Being a California and Arizona one family car it has escaped ANY form of rust. Just beautiful to look at. Straight as a die and rust free like it just came off the factory floor. The photos were taken with two different cheap 20 year old cameras - you will notice the difference in color. SCROLL DOWN to the end to see 37 more photos. PRESENT VALUE:

As of this writing Hagertys classic car values the 1958 Austin Healey BN4 100/6 at $19,400 fair, $32,100 good, $51,700 excellent and $101,000 concours. NADA Classic car value guide lists the Austin Healey BN4 100/6 as $24,900 low, $45,200 average and $89,100 high. The condition of this Healey in my opinion is certainly at least excellent, minus the work involved as described. It is also of course an investment as the value will more than likely increase over time.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

ENGINE:

Correct engine number 26DRH/60283 - matching the serial VIN number BN4LO/60283. Original engine. Has been out of the car, along with the transmission since 1965. Turns over easily by hand but internal condition is unknown and it will need a complete overhaul after sitting for so long. Includes all original accessories like carburetors (with all correct tags), generator (correct dated original), water pump, radiator, starter, etc, etc, etc - ALL original.

TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH:

Transmission is the correct original matching numbers mate to the above engine. 4 speed overdrive. It and the engine were out of the car as one unit since 1965 so although it shifts just fine and feels good and free you should at least plan on resealing and regasketing it after sitting for so long. There is no clutch pressure plate or disc. Also no clutch slave or master cylinder.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

Excellent condition. Solid and straight. Zero rust, zero damage, zero modifications. Stock factory unmodified original. Serial and body plates are correct and intact. There is no main wiring harness. Some original pieces are there such as to the headlights and taillights but it will need a complete new harness. Old one was one of the things missing. Also no fuel pump.

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

Solid, nice and straight with zero rust (including no rust under the fuel tank - or anywhere). Correct 60 spoke original spare wire wheel is in the trunk. (No tire). Original solid uncompromised gas tank is there. No battery.

SHEET METAL BODY PANELS/CHASSIS:

The car has been an entire rolling body/chassis since 1965. The fenders, shrouds, hood, trunk lid, doors, dash (all of the big stuff) were never taken apart - it was a complete body/chassis, so none of those important pieces were ever taken off - check the lines - perfect factory alignment. When the car was new the original owner had painted a light coat of rustproofing on the chassis everywhere. (Very light - not the miserable thick rubberized tar undercoating you may have seen on plenty of other cars). A result of that and mainly from being in California and Arizona all it's life until I got it (Georgia) is that it has escaped any form of rust. Straight as a die. Rust free original panels throughout. Including front and rear valances. The doors are beautiful with no rust or damage and they open and shut solidly as original with no sagging. The door bottoms are absolutely solid and rust free. The inner rockers are solid and rust free. Fender bottoms are solid and rust free. Outer rockers are solid and rust free. Original floors are solid and rust free. I even removed the aluminum door entry pieces to check for any rust underneath them - ZERO - just like new under the panels as shown in the photos. The entire frame is straight, solid and rust free with a few dents from jacking not worth mentioning. Don't know how many other ways I can say rust free.

EXTERIOR BODY PARTS:

Everything is original and in good condition. Bumpers, bumper guards, bumper brackets, tail lights, grille, etc, etc, etc. Underneath the headlights the original Lucas headlight buckets are still in brand new original condition.

GLASS:

The windshield is clear as a bell because it is missing. The original 1958 convertible top is there - still in flexible useable shape if one seam was resewn, even the window is intact but of course you will want a new one. The original top header bar and all latching mechanisms are therer and in excellent condition for transfer to a new top.

INTERIOR/Upholstery:

The interior is fine - carpeting on the transmission tunnel is still the 1958 original. Floors are absolutely unrusted beautys. Seats and seat mounting frames are as close to new as you can get. Zero rust and the adjustments are nice and smooth. Drivers seat is mounted to the floor - passenger seat is just sitting there as it's mounting channels came up missing. They will have to be sourced.

DASH AREA:

Dash board is the excellent original that will need recovering due to a tear in the vinyl in the middle of the dash. Instruments are original but have taken a thorough beating because they were in an open box since 1965 and have had the daylights beat out of them - very doubtful if any of them would work. Glass is also missing on them. The heater and heater fan are missing. There is no main wiring harness. Front and back wiring is partially there but it will need a complete new harness.

TOP:

The original 1958 convertible top is there in surprisingly good flexible condition - could actually be used if one seam was resewn - however the important pieces are there like the solid front header bar and latching mechanisms for transfer to a new top and they are in excellent condition.

PAINT:

Car looks stunning. It had one repaint in lacquer probably around 1965 and the only reason for that is because the car came from the factory all black and the son wanted to have a red cove to match the red interior - so he just had the entire car repainted - which was relatively cheap to do back then. Still looks great from even a short distance. Can certainly be used as it stands but the paint is now very old with plenty of small issues (that nauseating word "patina" again). Minor small dings here and there. The paint on the trunk lid and hood have crusty areas - those are the worst spots.

TIRES & WHEELS:

The five 60 spoke original wire wheels are in good condition. Tires in front are old throw away whitewalls. The tires in back are really neat period 60's collectible racing Goodyear Blue Streaks.

EXHAUST:

None from the exhaust manifold on back. (Exhaust manifolds are there attached to the engine).

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:

Suspension looks to be all original and intact. Brakes inside of the drums are unknown - drums have not been off for inspection but the car rolls very easily - nothing is frozen....Actually, NOTHING was frozen on the entire car while reassembling it. So nice to work on an unrusted car. Obviously the car will need new wheel cylinders and brake master cylinder. Front sway bar is missing - I may have one somewhere - if so, it goes with the car. If not they are easy to acquire.

MISCELLANEOUS:

The car was reassembled for visual appearance. There really wasn't much reassembly needed - most of it was always together - just had to install the engine/trans, bits and pieces from the storage boxes, windshield frame and that's about it. It was reassembled so that you and I could actually see what was there and what might be missing. For instance the engine and transmission were put back using the original parts like the motor mounts - which should be replaced. We reasoned that whoever buys the car is going to want to take most of the ancillary stuff back off and reassemble it the way they wanted it anyway...There will be small bits and pieces that will be missing or unuseable, all of which are easily obtainable. The cars California plate number was LXU999. Unfortunately the son wanted to keep the tag so it is not available. Also comes with two Pomona California horse race track tickets from September of 1961 - found in the pocket of the drivers door. There are no side curtains or tonneau cover.

PAPERWORK:

A 1964 California title, bill of sale and the British Heritage certificate come with the car. Also all of the miscellaneous bills back as far as 1964. He did some work while the car was apart. Bills showing the mileage also confirm that the total mileage looks to be correct. Total mileage shown is 65378 and am quite sure it is right. The California title is transferred on the back to the son who I bought the car from and I have the bill of sale from the son along with the title. I have left the title alone because I prefer to keep all titles original - not needed in Georgia anyway. Georgia never issued titles on these old cars years ago and a title is not required to register, license and drive a classic car in this and most other States nowadays and they have reciprocal agreements between States for classic cars. Georgia will register these old classics but they will not issue titles. I have a proper Georgia registration for the car in my name which usually suffices for transfer to the new owner. Check your local regulations - they do vary. Also, most States will issue a title upon having the local police inspect the VIN on the car. Do your own research on what you need to license or title the car in your State. Also there is a typo on the title that you may, or may not have the sheriffs department verify. California issued the title according to the engine serial number - which was common back then. The engine number is 26DRH/60283. They have the title reading 36DRH/60283. Government efficiency. It is of no importance. The Georgia registration in my name is docemented with the original BN4 VIN number, not an engine number. Includes the British Motor Industry Heritage certificate. The car was built on 21-25 March, 1958 and shipped on April 2nd, 1958 to Los Angeles, California. All of the bills for parts, etc are included.

FACTORY ID PLATES: The Vehicle identification ID plate, body plate and engine number are intact and correct as discussed and shown. The vehicle serial number is BN4-L-0/60283. Engine number is 26D-R-H/60283.

AIR CONDITIONING:

None. Aftermarket air conditioners can be installed if need be - the new units are excellent, compact and very efficient.

INSPECTION OF CAR: It is difficult at best to describe something as complex as a vehicle and it is highly recommended that you personally inspect the car or have a 3rd party inspect it for you. I can accomodate anyone to show them the car. If you elect not to do this you will have one of three outcomes after purchasing the car. #1. The car will be exactly as you thought it would be from the auction description and photos and you will be happy. #2. The car will be less than you thought it would be and you will be unhappy. #3. The car will be more than you thought it would be and you will be more than happy, and I will be the same in each case. It is described to the best of my ability along with many good photos but it is the bidders ultimate responsibility to ensure that what he thinks he is getting is indeed one in the same and something he will be happy with. I have purchased and sold roughly 25 autos through ebay over the past 18 years and also many more over the telephone and have always had excellent results and complete satisfaction from the buyers but I do my due diligence and suggest you do the same.

SHIPPING: I have shipped many cars to all parts of the world over the years and can assist the buyer with transport. The car is in a secure place at my home and you can collect the car there. I can assist with loading. Large transports cannot get into my long driveway and I usually have to load the car on my trailer and meet the transport driver nearby for transfer. The car can stay here for up to 30 days from the close of the auction.

PAYMENT & BIDDING: Contact me if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid WILL be cancelled. A $1000 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 5 days via priority or overnight mail with a bank cashiers check or cash. No Paypal for the balance. Payment is to be made IN ADVANCE of collecting the car. IN ADVANCE, BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE CAR - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Full payment is due BEFORE the car is collected. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like it - if that is your intention, please do not bid on the car. If you cannot trust me, my reputation, the description and the extensive photos then it is your responsibility to inspect the car yourself or have a third party inspect it for you. When the auction is over payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. I have sold approximately 25 cars and motorcycles on ebay and they all have been a bargain. This one certainly is. No Paypal for the balance. If the car has not reached what I consider to be a fair price the auction will be cancelled before the 12 hour end mark.

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