Healey 3000 restoration - which direction
Discussion
Hello all,
I have just acquired my first classic car to do up and wanted to ask some general questions to see what you think.
It's a 1967 MK111 Austin Healey 3000 LHD. Current state is;
Under-body done, sandblasted and coated in Golden Metallic Beige, looks great
Suspension re built
Gearbox re built
Engine rebuilt but missing ancillaries
Rear axle re built
Needs (off the top of my head);
Engine finishing adding carbs ect
Brake and fuel lines
wiring loom
outer body fitting and painting
Interior
New hood
All the chrome
Now the questions.
What condition to restore to? Not sure I can afford concours or be bothered by the incredible detailing involved. Will be used a bit in summer and wouldn't mind going a little sporty if possible and doing some classic rallies so what are the easy upgrade options that are not going to stress the car too much?
LHD - RHD? is it worth converting now or do i leave it as original in LHD form
Carb options - How big can I go which will give me optimum performance for my money?
Anything I need to know before I start or any good connections you would like to share.
Many thanks in advance to anybody who could help. First post so please be gentle and ask what you like.
Steve
I have just acquired my first classic car to do up and wanted to ask some general questions to see what you think.
It's a 1967 MK111 Austin Healey 3000 LHD. Current state is;
Under-body done, sandblasted and coated in Golden Metallic Beige, looks great
Suspension re built
Gearbox re built
Engine rebuilt but missing ancillaries
Rear axle re built
Needs (off the top of my head);
Engine finishing adding carbs ect
Brake and fuel lines
wiring loom
outer body fitting and painting
Interior
New hood
All the chrome
Now the questions.
What condition to restore to? Not sure I can afford concours or be bothered by the incredible detailing involved. Will be used a bit in summer and wouldn't mind going a little sporty if possible and doing some classic rallies so what are the easy upgrade options that are not going to stress the car too much?
LHD - RHD? is it worth converting now or do i leave it as original in LHD form
Carb options - How big can I go which will give me optimum performance for my money?
Anything I need to know before I start or any good connections you would like to share.
Many thanks in advance to anybody who could help. First post so please be gentle and ask what you like.
Steve
pictures please !
i had a 100/6 - with these cars they are designed to be used..........
over restore and it becomes a garage queen......
keep it LHD if you need help with the heavy slow box
get it running well and use it like you stole it
wonderfull on crossplies !
so sorry when POJ went,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
i had a 100/6 - with these cars they are designed to be used..........
over restore and it becomes a garage queen......
keep it LHD if you need help with the heavy slow box
get it running well and use it like you stole it
wonderfull on crossplies !
so sorry when POJ went,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Edited by gr88 on Tuesday 21st June 20:47
I hear what your saying Rick and agree, I want it to be a thing of beauty but it has to be used.
Pictures before its first wash.
Underneath
First job is to give the paint a re fresh as its nearly 10 years since it was done and then get it running, head is already off for final clean before fitting.
I'm reckoning on £7k - £10k and about 12 - 18 months should see it right
Am I miles out or does that sound achievable?
Steve
Pictures before its first wash.
Underneath
First job is to give the paint a re fresh as its nearly 10 years since it was done and then get it running, head is already off for final clean before fitting.
I'm reckoning on £7k - £10k and about 12 - 18 months should see it right
Am I miles out or does that sound achievable?
Steve
Edited by Steve Benson on Tuesday 21st June 21:19
Edited by Steve Benson on Friday 24th June 09:29
I'm 9/10ths of the way through restoring a LHD Lancia Fulvia. My credo is:
keep it as the factory intended and the first customer wanted it; you wont go far wrong. A LHD is no real disadvantage.
Concours are for some people and not for others. I buy my cars to drive, I don't have a polishing fetish so make it good, make it safe and get out there!
Good luck
keep it as the factory intended and the first customer wanted it; you wont go far wrong. A LHD is no real disadvantage.
Concours are for some people and not for others. I buy my cars to drive, I don't have a polishing fetish so make it good, make it safe and get out there!
Good luck
Edited by nc107 on Tuesday 21st June 22:07
Well if it were me, I would convert it to RHD, and make some subtle mods to make it more useable in modenr traffic- better brakes, ditch the lever arms, better radiator and fan, modern electric ignition (eg lumenition or somesuch) etc.
Keep it as original as possible to look at, but as modern as possible to drive.
But thats just me. You'll probably get a dozen different answers. Go with what you want. Its your car. You lucky man!
Keep it as original as possible to look at, but as modern as possible to drive.
But thats just me. You'll probably get a dozen different answers. Go with what you want. Its your car. You lucky man!
williamp said:
Well if it were me, I would convert it to RHD, and make some subtle mods to make it more useable in modenr traffic- better brakes, ditch the lever arms, better radiator and fan, modern electric ignition (eg lumenition or somesuch) etc.
Keep it as original as possible to look at, but as modern as possible to drive.
But thats just me. You'll probably get a dozen different answers. Go with what you want. Its your car. You lucky man!
Do that, and you might as well go for one of these...Keep it as original as possible to look at, but as modern as possible to drive.
But thats just me. You'll probably get a dozen different answers. Go with what you want. Its your car. You lucky man!
http://www.sebringinternational.co.uk/pre-owned_se...
Steve Benson said:
What condition to restore to? Not sure I can afford concours or be bothered by the incredible detailing involved. Will be used a bit in summer and wouldn't mind going a little sporty if possible and doing some classic rallies so what are the easy upgrade options that are not going to stress the car too much?
Well it doesn't sound like you've bought it either to try and make money or to spend all your time polishing it but to enjoy owning and driving it, so don't bother with concourse.Steve Benson said:
LHD - RHD? is it worth converting now or do i leave it as original in LHD form
Keep it LHD, drive it to France a lot for things like the Le Mans 24hr/Le Mans Classic and feel smug about you ability to see oncoming traffic while overtaking.//j17 said:
Well it doesn't sound like you've bought it either to try and make money or to spend all your time polishing it but to enjoy owning and driving it, so don't bother with concourse.
The plan it to keep it and use it on sunny days and on classic rallies/trails. However I would like to be in a position that it owes me a little money so if something unexpected happens with work/income I can get out of it without being hurt to much.I restored a one owner 1977 Triumph Bonneville with less than 2000 miles on the clock a couple of years back to near concourse but got tired of cleaning it so put it in a motor museum, that way I keep it but don't have to insure or store it. The guys at the museum look after it and I can have it back whenever I want if needed.
Thanks for all your help everyone who has posted, things are coming a little clearer now, I'm thinking;
Keep it LHD as original
Golden Metallic Beige as it left the factory (this save getting the under-body re done and I understand it was a limited edition)
Mild rally spec with improved carbs, exhaust, trip ect (perhaps cam when funds allow)
Visually near perfect, high quality but no where near concourse
Now, wheels - Wire chrome or Mini-lights?
Steve
Was hoping it was FVX 803B, my late fathers 64 3000 Mk3 !
You have the makings Of a very nice Healey there.
Did you find it I'n Essex ? One very similar for sale near me a while back, same colour, (think it was only a late production colour) and Lhd. Was asking circa 13 k for it.
I reckon well under 10k would finish her. Just dont get carried away . And shop around for the best prices.
Keep it Lhd , far bigger Market in Europe for them if you need to get out of it and it's Original
Fit Original type Miniltes, , preferably bolt ons . Lighter, stronger, easy to clean and maintain.
Can't understand the obsession with wires.
Go for the best most comfortable seats you can and with head restraints. My dad spent quite a while I'n hospital I'n 1968, when the car he was racing ran into the back of his Healey. He was badly hurt I'n part due to the standard neck breaker seats.
You have the makings Of a very nice Healey there.
Did you find it I'n Essex ? One very similar for sale near me a while back, same colour, (think it was only a late production colour) and Lhd. Was asking circa 13 k for it.
I reckon well under 10k would finish her. Just dont get carried away . And shop around for the best prices.
Keep it Lhd , far bigger Market in Europe for them if you need to get out of it and it's Original
Fit Original type Miniltes, , preferably bolt ons . Lighter, stronger, easy to clean and maintain.
Can't understand the obsession with wires.
Go for the best most comfortable seats you can and with head restraints. My dad spent quite a while I'n hospital I'n 1968, when the car he was racing ran into the back of his Healey. He was badly hurt I'n part due to the standard neck breaker seats.
neutral 3 said:
Was hoping it was FVX 803B, my late fathers 64 3000 Mk3 !
You have the makings Of a very nice Healey there.
Did you find it I'n Essex ? One very similar for sale near me a while back, same colour, (think it was only a late production colour) and Lhd. Was asking circa 13 k for it.
I reckon well under 10k would finish her. Just dont get carried away . And shop around for the best prices.
Keep it Lhd , far bigger Market in Europe for them if you need to get out of it and it's Original
Fit Original type Miniltes, , preferably bolt ons . Lighter, stronger, easy to clean and maintain.
Can't understand the obsession with wires.
Go for the best most comfortable seats you can and with head restraints. My dad spent quite a while I'n hospital I'n 1968, when the car he was racing ran into the back of his Healey. He was badly hurt I'n part due to the standard neck breaker seats.
It's now in Blackpool and was recently bought from their, bloke in the pub and all that. It was built in March 1967 for export and shipped out to Newark on the 6th April 1967. Re imported to the UK in October 1989 to Lancaster, then to it's previous home in Blackpool since 1990.You have the makings Of a very nice Healey there.
Did you find it I'n Essex ? One very similar for sale near me a while back, same colour, (think it was only a late production colour) and Lhd. Was asking circa 13 k for it.
I reckon well under 10k would finish her. Just dont get carried away . And shop around for the best prices.
Keep it Lhd , far bigger Market in Europe for them if you need to get out of it and it's Original
Fit Original type Miniltes, , preferably bolt ons . Lighter, stronger, easy to clean and maintain.
Can't understand the obsession with wires.
Go for the best most comfortable seats you can and with head restraints. My dad spent quite a while I'n hospital I'n 1968, when the car he was racing ran into the back of his Healey. He was badly hurt I'n part due to the standard neck breaker seats.
Thanks for your pointers, I quite like the idea of Mini-lights and they will be so much easier to live with. As for seats I agree, I've done a fair bit of rallying and I know the difference a good seat makes when things go wrong.
Rick - Thanks for the conformation on LHD vs RHD, I think LHD it is and it's going to save £1500.
Any other pointers to good suppliers will always be welcome.
Steve
Carbs - Triple Webers are possible, but involve cutting some metalwork out to make them fit. MkIIs had triple SUs but MKIII had more power anyway so probably not worth the trouble.
Some of the guys on the Healey Forum race/rally Big Healeys so will have some useful info.
Some of the guys on the Healey Forum race/rally Big Healeys so will have some useful info.
Hello
For anybody who is interested here is the progress so far.
Top end of the engine finished and the whole thing re painted. New higher lift camshaft, twin 1.1/2 carbs, and six branch stainless manifold and side exit exhaust.
Gearbox
Front suspension, left hand side
Front suspension, right hand side
Inner body repainted inside, outside, top to bottom.
More later............
Steve
For anybody who is interested here is the progress so far.
Top end of the engine finished and the whole thing re painted. New higher lift camshaft, twin 1.1/2 carbs, and six branch stainless manifold and side exit exhaust.
Gearbox
Front suspension, left hand side
Front suspension, right hand side
Inner body repainted inside, outside, top to bottom.
More later............
Steve
Glad to see you've kept the lever arms, the's nothing wrong with those if they're in good condition along with the rest of the suspension. The rear suspension in particular suffers terribly from telescopic conversions with the shockers too far inboard .
I see also you've kept it LHD. I converted mine to RHD, found all sorts of sins from it's previous 25 years in Texas. Such things as shockers held on with the threaded rods you get from builders merchants.
Hope you get it all together for this coming summer, best of luck.
I see also you've kept it LHD. I converted mine to RHD, found all sorts of sins from it's previous 25 years in Texas. Such things as shockers held on with the threaded rods you get from builders merchants.
Hope you get it all together for this coming summer, best of luck.
Steve Benson said:
Hello
For anybody who is interested here is the progress so far.
Top end of the engine finished and the whole thing re painted. New higher lift camshaft, twin 1.1/2 carbs, and six branch stainless manifold and side exit exhaust.
Steve
Your carbs are 2 inch actually Steve.For anybody who is interested here is the progress so far.
Top end of the engine finished and the whole thing re painted. New higher lift camshaft, twin 1.1/2 carbs, and six branch stainless manifold and side exit exhaust.
Steve
J
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