After I sold my 911 I spend ages agonising about what to get next, I didn't want another 13 year Project and Ive been lucky enough to have a wide range of classics over the years so nothing really jumped out at me. I have an enormous love of the style of the 50's though and somehow identify with that period in terms of motor racing and gentle man drivers. I wanted competition heritage but not scary driving experience. I wanted basic agricultural engineering and sensible parts prices. It also needed to be moderately tunable and have a pretty good following for support.
In the end I bought an Austin Healey 100/6 . Its a short lived model between the 100 and 3000. I chose a 2 plus 2 BN4 on the basis of price and availability over the rarer BN6 which is a 2 seater. The BN 6 is a bit prettier but the price differential wasn't worth it to me and I always run a tonneau cover anyway .
The car was a driver needing improvement but nothing drastic. Best of all a new Dennis Welch chassis, hardly any rust a Rawles motorsport engine ( later with more power) uprated Girling Type 15 front brakes and good history.
I drove it for a year and loved it plus Mrs H also thinks its beautiful. The Club scene is a bit sniffy in the uk over modified cars and not as receptive to new comers as some but as ever if one seeks out a few key people information and support is there in spades, also States is a good source for info'.
I did a year of suspension strip up-rating and refurb with poly bushes anti roll bars anti tramp bars, negative camber front end, an lsd, a panhard rod etc I also fitted an oil cooler,uprated radiator and ducting a coolant recovery system oil catch tank and Dennis Welch filter. He already has an alloy head, big valves, twin 1 3/4 SU's, fast road cam all balanced with lots of other goodies....
I fixed a bit of rust in the drivers footwell and since the carpet was out decided on a full body paint as there's hardly any trim in a de bumpered Healey anyway .
So 6 Months ago I took "Harry"
over to Mike Thomas at Mistyle in Weymouth. Mike has quietly been building a reputation for good quality traditional painting and body work amongst the local classic car folks here in Dorset, one look at his website will show you what I mean. I knew straight away Mike would get me and what I wanted , repairs and body work not just the default to new panels. We agreed a re-paint in the original black but in base and clear . Oh boy did he deliver ...the snaps below are in his workshop I'll do some more when I have time in the sun. I've had the seats modified and re-trimmed in Matador red hide, the rest of the interior will follow, the wheels too will be finished in dark red.So not a predictable rally rep but a real fast road Healey for every day.....I hope .
Hope you like
Andy
