What is it about classic British sports cars that brings out the Chevy V8 hammer mechanics? It is as if every British car from the 50s/60s has a picture of Anna Kendrick painted on the side and suddenly leering drunks jump out of the bushes and start planning V8 swaps. It wouldn't be bad if the swaps ended in a worked monster of a Corvette beater, but they almost inevitably end up in tears, crushed dreams and rust. Like this 1956 Austin Healey 100
currently bidding for $15,101 in Easthampton, MA with 4 days to go on ebay.
This thing looks scary....the picture above shows that at least its got a grill and radiator in it, but the exterior condition can best be described as "needs work." To say the rear fenders and brake vents looks interesting, is the highest compliment we can cough up.
The original 2.6 liter inline-4 has been replaced with a 327 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 from a Corvette. This 327 was supposedly a fuelie, but is now fed via a massive set of dual carbs which would have been rated at around 365 horsepower from the factory. The owner says he awakened if from a 20 year slumber and managed to drive it recently, but the fuel filter clogged after a few miles.
The inside is full of more scary stuff, in the form of a partially gutted interior and an odd looking shifter level that seems to compensate for the offset linkage. It likely won't be a problem, because in this car you'll probably die the first time you drive it before you have a chance to shift into second gear.
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If this was at a high-end car show it would be my favorite. It is too bad the rear wheel arches have been radiused but I guess everything is fixable with enough patience. I wouldn't want this car over restored.
ReplyDeleteThis is from 3 lug nut garage no thanx !
ReplyDeleteI really don't see a problem with it. In fact, if the price weren't so high, I'd nominate it for "the perfect teenager car". I know I would have been all for it when I was a teenager. What could possibly go wrong?
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of like a beautiful young woman who goes to the plastic surgeon to make a few "tweaks" and comes out looking like nothing as beautiful as she started.
ReplyDeleteThis car could be a great buy for a shop that does these restorations. The vintage Corvette parts would have some nice value as would the rear mags. The interior is an all new anyway and the homemade dash would cost some cash to get the correct parts and gauges. Did I saw a experienced shop that does great bodywork? I'd love to see where the cuts took place to widen the rear fenders.
All in all the right buyer could make some money on this car. And save a beautiful Healey for this bad plastic surgery.