Healey 100/4

[redchina]

Hi all,

I am getting close to pulling the trigger on a 54 100.
( in other words, the wife says yes! )

This particular car is not concours thankfully, but does have
A BN2 g'box and higher ratio diff ( no o-drive)
Also has 100S/M spec 1-3/4" carbs

What are the main watch points for checking these out?
Is there anything not-so-obvious I should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance

[john2443]

Rust in the hidden bits of the substructure - the frame that supports the outer panels. Not sure how you find out about it though without stipping the outer panels off!

[Flying Phil]

I would put a post into the Austin Healey Forum website - lots of expertise on there.

[redchina]

Aha, I hadn't thought of a Healey forum...
How longs this interweb thing been around ?!

Thanks!

[Huntsman]

I had a 100/4 with the big carbs and cold air box, vented bonnet.

As above you need to check carefully for the condition of the metal, ask your self this question when looking at the car.....

If stripped to a bare car and 'dipped' back to bare metal, how would it look?

Check how long it idles for before it boils over and if there is an electric fan does is come on?

Also, when running, careful inspection of the head gasket perimeter above the distributor, they commonly leak there.

Otherwise its just old car stuff, panel fit, things working, suspension joints and rubbers, oil pressure when hot etc.

Loved mine, but you'll need goggles if you want to put the screen down.

[healeyfan]

Check that the chassis is true. Most have had front end collisions. Front chassis rails might have been cut and shut. Check inner wings for signs of distortion. You really need to get it up on a ramp. Make sure sills are flush with bottom of doors not stepped. July edition of Octane has a feature about them. Worth getting it checked out by a specialist if in doubt.

[healeyfan]

Completely agree with you. Articles always refer to low ground clearance and the vulnerability of the exhaust but that's because most people fit lower profile tyres. As with everything these days it's a matter of cost. You can buy a set of modern tyres for the price of 2 correct ones.

[Huntsman]

Dougal Cawley said:

being a tyre anorac, i couldn't read that Healy articel in Octane without seeing the gaping gap around the tyres in the wheel arches. there were 2 pictures of healeys in period fitting crossply tyres which are a totaly different shape to the 185/70VR15 or 165HR15 radials people are fitting these days. and the crossply tyres or Michelins 180HR15 XAS actually fill the wheel arches

I'd have thought Dougal, you'll make a welcome addition to this forum. Welcome aboard.

[redchina]

Thanks all, more help required though!

Is there anyone out there that knows of LARKE HOSKINS?
These guys apparently built healeys in Sydney then sold them as new. ( probably assembled the main running gear to the chassis, but I do not know for sure)
These left Sydney's with non UK chassis numbers and engine numbers as far as I can tell, but does anyone know the format of these numbers and / or how many of these cars there are?

[mph]

redchina said:

Thanks all, more help required though!

Is there anyone out there that knows of LARKE HOSKINS?
These guys apparently built healeys in Sydney then sold them as new. ( probably assembled the main running gear to the chassis, but I do not know for sure)
These left Sydney's with non UK chassis numbers and engine numbers as far as I can tell, but does anyone know the format of these numbers and / or how many of these cars there are?

Have a look on google there's quite a bit about them.

They were Austin Healey agents and sold them new.

No details of them building Healeys that I could find, but I didn't spend too much time looking and it seems that some Healeys were sent to Australia for assembly so it may be correct.

I'm sure the AH club would know, why not contact them ?

Edited by mph on Thursday 7th June 06:19

[redchina]

I ha d thought I had searched google high and low for info, most of what I found was for the new Hondas that they still sell.
There was no chassis or engine info there that I could find, if you have detail that I can't see, please send me a link.

I am on holiday in the remotes at the moment, so net and phone access are poor ( despite appearances)

[Fish]

I'm also looking to buy a nice 100/4....

[redchina]

[TimCrighton]

As a 3000 owner (I also looked at a couple of 100/4's prior to purchase). I had Rawles Motorsport come and inspect the car with me (pretty confident in my own ability, but its nice to know you've got a specialist there to comment and look at the 'right' bits). I would thoroughly recommend a chat with Andrew or Rob and take their advice - they also do some car sales so may know of something too.

T

[redchina]

Getting closer!

Edited by redchina on Wednesday 27th June 01:54

[redchina]

I now have 3 parts of it... Slow processes in these communist countries..

Still, it's better then no progress at all!

[redchina]

Well it's taken 5 weeks!
It's finally here though, I have an Ozzie built Healey 100 tucked up in the garage