Healey V Esprit

[s4simon]

After 40 years of ownership the old man sold his Healey today.  Time to move on I suppose. 

 

Took a couple of snaps before it was driven away.

 

British engineering at its finest.

 

 

 

[Bibs]

What a lovely looking car. 

 

I didn't know you had grass in Aus, I thought it was all sand?

[rogerch]

Healey was the first sports car I ever rode in aged about 8.

[Roger 912]

We have a couple of companies over here in South Africa manufacturing replicas of the Healey 3000. The one company is called "Cooper Healey" and their replica is virtually indistinguishable from the original until you look very close.

 

www.cooperhealey.co.za/

 

 

The body is fibreglass but the car goes like stink as it is fitted with BMW engine and running gear from the BMW 323i or is it the 325i. I am not quite sure.

 

A replica makes a wonderful "classic" driving experience, but the only problem is that whereas the original will still rise in value, the replicas can only drop from the original purchase price.

 

Pity they went the 3000 replica route as I always hankered after the BN2, fitted with the Austin Atlantic engine. I don't know why, but I just love 4 cylinder cars. The Healey 100/4 was actually a faster car than the 100/6 and the early 3000s.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Roger 912

[GavinT]

Incredible car. One past me today on the freeway, looked absolutely stunning. Most have been very hard for your Dad to part with. My Dad had a frogeye, but alas it's long since gone.

[s4simon]

Here's the last snap we took (Father & Son).  You can just see the new owner in the driver's seat and he's looking pretty happy with himself.

 

[rogerch]

I think we should have more close up shots, "Esprit" forum be buggered we can still admire other classics.

[alan]

 

I used to own this one - would love to get one again if and when finances and storage space allow.  Actually when I sold this I used some of the money to get the Esprit.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

That is a stunner, what a great colour combination too, I like the cut of your jib Sir! 

[Bibs]

Looks like someone who works for PH bought it! 

 

[Vulcan Grey]

My Esprit with a co-worker's Healey 3000 MkII

 

 

And a friend's old Inferno Red Esprit V8 (with nice Sport 350 wheels)

 

 

 

Oh and a Lotus Elite!  Which I would much rather have than the Healey

[04ESPRIT]

I'm a big fan of the big Healeys, in part because my dad has one.

2 reasons I love my Esprit as much as I do:

1. It's just really cool

2. It continues the English sports car 'tradition' started by my father

 

Unfortunately, his '65 3000 MkIII has been in pieces on jack stands since 1991...

All of the Healeys posted here look fantastic!

[molemot]

I'm with Scott....the windscreen lowering thing was very special!!

[gospeedv8]

Not a Esprit vs Healey thing - but a different story on a Healey

 

One of my friends had one of these big Healeys.

I only know the car of his stories. I have never seen it.

He and his wife bought the car together, they drove the car together.
They used the car very often and regularly.
When his wife died of illness he has sold the car after 30 years of ownership.
He could no longer drive the Healey without thinking of her.

But he needed something to work on ..... he needed to distract himself.
He then went into his garage and has one of his Caterham 7s rebuilt to
a Lotus Eleven Replica.
He built every part specially. No parts were purchased.
He built things like the seats and the radiatior too. It's a crazy 1000 hours+ job.

One of his friends who owns a original 11 has lent him his car to take the shape.

 

The man is over 80 years old.
Here are some pics.

 

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