1964 Austin-Healey Other for sale $19,995
| 1964 Austin-Healey Other $19,995 | |
| Car Ad from: Hemmings View Original Ad | |
| Price: | $19,995 |
| Contact: | View Original Ad from Hemmings |
| Location: | Fort Worth, TX |
| Details: |
The original Austin Healey 3000 Mark III was probably the last of the bigand#44; hairy-chested British sports carsand#44; combining old-world craftsmanship with a (relatively) big engine. Today theyre some of the most highly-sought collectables of the periodand#44; so if the big price tag gets you downand#44; perhaps a replica like this is the right choice. Its got the lookand#44; the powerand#44; and the presenceand#44; all at a price thats 1/3 that of an original. Yesand#44; admittedlyand#44; this is a fiberglass replicaand#44; but like the Cobra replicasand#44; sometimes the best car to own is one that doesnt have a bunch of history tied to it. The body is newand#44; the running gear is newand#44; the chassis is newand#44; andand#44; welland#44; you get the picture. The shape is unmistakableand#44; with the familiar Healey grille up front and weeping fender lines that arent altogether unlike that of the Cobra. Its nicely finished in two-tone Wildfire Red and Silverand#44; GM colors that look great together and add to the traditional image. The fenders are a bit more aggressively flared than the originaland#44; but it only seems to enhance the big Healeys lookand#44; and even though it was built a few years agoand#44; its still in great shape. Finish quality is quite goodand#44; with doors that fit well and a louvered hood that sits flush with the fendersand#44; and they captured most of the original detailsand#44; including the bright fender welting between the fenders and the bodyand#44; the proper emblems on the trunk lidand#44; and bright chrome bumpers that really sparkle. Interiors are where British cars shine brightestand#44; and this car pays homage to that hand-crafted look with tan leather buckets and a nicely stitched interior. The seats are comfortable but not confining and the leather is just now rounding into that well-loved condition that makes cars like this so appealing. Plush carpetsand#44; simple door panelsand#44; and a wooden dashboard are additional ties to the Healey process. VDO gauges look suitably old-school and youll note that their labels are quite British: Petroland#44; Dynamoand#44; and Water Temperature. A Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo system isnt quite like the old systemsand#44; but it sounds a lot better and youll appreciate it more when youre cruising with the top down. Theres also a tilt steering columnand#44; an effective heaterand#44; and a nicely integrated shifter for the 3-speed automatic transmission. A roll bar behind the seats adds stiffness and doesnt interfere with the tan convertible tops operation and you get a decent-sized trunk thats upholstered to match the interior carpets. A 350 cubic inch Chevy is a far cry from an original inline-sixand#44; but a comparison to the Cobra is inevitable when you pop the hood. Its a neat fit in the Healeys nose and offers things like an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetorand#44; a few chrome dress-up piecesand#44; and niceties such as power steering and power front disc brakes. Rebuilt about 10and#44;000 miles agoand#44; its plenty strong out on the roadand#44; especially with the light curb weightand#44; and this is one British car where bulletproof reliability is part of the equation. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission feeds a Ford 8-inch rear end and the suspension is Mustang: Mustang II up front and Fox platform in back. Dual exhaust rumbles in a most un-British wayand#44; but youll love the soundand#44; and those bigand#44; flashy American Racing wheels look awesome with fat performance radials wrapped around them. Nothing but fun on wheelsand#44; this cool Healey roadster is a great way to get some open-air V8 fun for not a lot of cash. Call today! |