Austin Healey 3000 Colour
Discussion
I have recently purchased an Austin Healey 3000 Mk3 BJ8 as a restoration project.
The car is originally a LHD however has been converted to RHD (well), I do appreciate that this will affect the value of the car as it is not original.
The original colour of the vehicle is Colorado Red and whilst I appreciate that there is more value in keeping the original colour, it really isn't my cup of tea.
My question is, given that, although a classic, the AH 3000 MK3 is not particularly rare, will I be seriously harming the price if I change the colour or could I even improve the price if I put together a colour scheme that was significantly nicer?
Also given that it was originally a LHD car and therefore not original, does this make a non original colour less significant as it is not an original vehicle anyway?
All comments and opinions are welcome.
The car is originally a LHD however has been converted to RHD (well), I do appreciate that this will affect the value of the car as it is not original.
The original colour of the vehicle is Colorado Red and whilst I appreciate that there is more value in keeping the original colour, it really isn't my cup of tea.
My question is, given that, although a classic, the AH 3000 MK3 is not particularly rare, will I be seriously harming the price if I change the colour or could I even improve the price if I put together a colour scheme that was significantly nicer?
Also given that it was originally a LHD car and therefore not original, does this make a non original colour less significant as it is not an original vehicle anyway?
All comments and opinions are welcome.
My vote would be metallic blue over cream as my father’s 100/6. It just works. Probably best to check that the new colour scheme was available when the car was made though - that might affect your final decision. Good luck with the repairs.
BTW the rear suspension upgrade to SPAX shockers makes the world of difference for about 500 quid plus labour.
BTW the rear suspension upgrade to SPAX shockers makes the world of difference for about 500 quid plus labour.
Hi guys.
Really appreciate the fast responses. All of the cars above look great, hence why I am interested in changing it from red only.
The key question is though, will the car not being red (the original factory colour) significantly devalue an Austin Healey. I am keen to retain value where possible.
Many thanks
Joe
Really appreciate the fast responses. All of the cars above look great, hence why I am interested in changing it from red only.
The key question is though, will the car not being red (the original factory colour) significantly devalue an Austin Healey. I am keen to retain value where possible.
Many thanks
Joe
Hurricane52 said:
My vote would be metallic blue over cream as my father’s 100/6. It just works. Probably best to check that the new colour scheme was available when the car was made though - that might affect your final decision. Good luck with the repairs.
BTW the rear suspension upgrade to SPAX shockers makes the world of difference for about 500 quid plus labour.
That’s beautiful, best colour scheme IMHO ooooh I just had a moment BTW the rear suspension upgrade to SPAX shockers makes the world of difference for about 500 quid plus labour.
Have to agree that blue over white is best. I'm not just saying that because mine is, but it was also allegedly Donald Healey's favourite colour scheme. Here's mine getting mucky ...
As to colour choices, given that yours has already been converted from LHD I wouldn't have thought value would suffer much (if at all) from changing colour scheme to another that was available at the time of its production. Bear in mind that certain paint colours went with certain interior colours - e.g. blue over white was only provided with blue upholstery and trim, whereas Colorado Red had various options. If you want to keep your existing colours of upholstery, seat piping, carpet and hood/tonneau, post what they are and I can look up which exterior colours they went with. Of course back in the day a car could have been ordered with non-standard colours.
As to colour choices, given that yours has already been converted from LHD I wouldn't have thought value would suffer much (if at all) from changing colour scheme to another that was available at the time of its production. Bear in mind that certain paint colours went with certain interior colours - e.g. blue over white was only provided with blue upholstery and trim, whereas Colorado Red had various options. If you want to keep your existing colours of upholstery, seat piping, carpet and hood/tonneau, post what they are and I can look up which exterior colours they went with. Of course back in the day a car could have been ordered with non-standard colours.
I hate the two tone colours!
They ruin the cars line and make it look like a 50s Yank Tank.
My Late Dad ordered his new 64 3000 MK111 from W.J. Wells of Woodford Green, Essex ( FVX 803B Where Are You Now ??? ) in Ice Mettalic Blue with a navy trim and that just has to be the Perfect Healey colour.
As for colour changing your one from Red, if you were keeping it long term, then maybe.....but I would keep it Original. It will definitely effect its future £ value and desirability if you colour change it. When I see a colour changed cars Heritage Cert with its OE colour listed, it really de values it.
They ruin the cars line and make it look like a 50s Yank Tank.
My Late Dad ordered his new 64 3000 MK111 from W.J. Wells of Woodford Green, Essex ( FVX 803B Where Are You Now ??? ) in Ice Mettalic Blue with a navy trim and that just has to be the Perfect Healey colour.
As for colour changing your one from Red, if you were keeping it long term, then maybe.....but I would keep it Original. It will definitely effect its future £ value and desirability if you colour change it. When I see a colour changed cars Heritage Cert with its OE colour listed, it really de values it.
Hurricane52 said:
My vote would be metallic blue over cream as my father’s 100/6. It just works. Probably best to check that the new colour scheme was available when the car was made though - that might affect your final decision. Good luck with the repairs.
BTW the rear suspension upgrade to SPAX shockers makes the world of difference for about 500 quid plus labour.
It would be a shame if they were all this colour, but when I think of Big Healeys this is the colour scheme I am thinking of.BTW the rear suspension upgrade to SPAX shockers makes the world of difference for about 500 quid plus labour.
JoeGab said:
Hi guys.
Really appreciate the fast responses. All of the cars above look great, hence why I am interested in changing it from red only.
The key question is though, will the car not being red (the original factory colour) significantly devalue an Austin Healey. I am keen to retain value where possible.
Many thanks
Joe
Really appreciate the fast responses. All of the cars above look great, hence why I am interested in changing it from red only.
The key question is though, will the car not being red (the original factory colour) significantly devalue an Austin Healey. I am keen to retain value where possible.
Many thanks
Joe
For maximum value it would seem that originality is key.....however as it has been changed LHD/RHD you won't lose very much by going to any sensible colour scheme. That might make it more desirable to a slightly different buyer, but, as ever - your car - your choice!
Given that it's not original anyway – even if you paint it red it's not the actual original paint – I expect you'll probably add more monetary 'value' by doing it in a more attractive colour scheme. I think the two-colour scheme works really well on Healeys. Also, if you intend to keep the car you'll enjoy it much more in a colour scheme you like. I had my TR done in blue, because it was original, but didn't like the actual Triumph shade ('Royal Blue'), so had it sprayed in a lovely deep Audi pearlescent blue, which is waaaaay far from original. However, it looks great. I also kinda wish I'd done it in Triumph Mallard Blue, which is actually green... can't win.
Just do what you fancy.
Just do what you fancy.
Thanks to everyone for the responses. There are too many to answer individually. As my first venture into this forum, I am very impressed with how helpful everyone is.
So the consensus seems to be that original colour def helps the value if it is an original car, and although it matters less may still help with a RHD conversion.
Just a couple of point, I agree that the two tone paint jobs do look good and looking at the above the red also looks much better than I thought. Controversially, I am quite partial to the golden beige metallic which no one seems to have mentioned.....
So the consensus seems to be that original colour def helps the value if it is an original car, and although it matters less may still help with a RHD conversion.
Just a couple of point, I agree that the two tone paint jobs do look good and looking at the above the red also looks much better than I thought. Controversially, I am quite partial to the golden beige metallic which no one seems to have mentioned.....
JoeGab said:
Controversially, I am quite partial to the golden beige metallic which no one seems to have mentioned.....
Nice......especially with red interior.I assume, that being a restoration project, this will be a full bare shell strip down and proper colour change?
If so, given the RHD conversion, probably won't affect value that much, if done properly with full bare shell job, so no trace of the original colour is anywhere in evidence.
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