The 3000 Forum

Hi Folks, my quest to obtain a healey 3000 on a budget for restoration has taken a turn.
A friend of mine is helping his father in law clear out the farm (literally) and has offered the following:
"1963 or 64 healey 3000", doesn't remember the year, but says it's the "high output motor"
No title (guaranteed it's his), says all the paperwork is somewhere in the barn
Sitting in the barn for 40 years. Claims it was driven in and taken apart
Motor does turn by hand
"Complete car" meaning all parts on hand (working or not).

It is in pieces as he was going to do a complete restoration, but never got around to it. He sent me the attached pics and said if I make him a fair "friend" offer it's mine.
What do I offer or do I run away? What kind of budget do i need to have in mind total for a good daily driver restoration (done over time, but would like a total number).

I'm no stanger to this, though it's a much bigger project than any I've taken on. Mechanical doesn't scare me, time doesn't scare me....Money pit scares me

So tell me, what's a fair offer or should I run away? What are the key areas to check for cancer? I'm told "surface rust", but given the pics I need to thoroughly go over it. I know on my FIATs you gotta check cross member and shock towers as if they're gone it's just a parts car.

ANY input GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-04-21 10:29 PM by Spider 2000.

More photos FYR...

Hi Mike

That's not a 3000, looks more like an early 1960s AH Sprite to me. If you fancy the challenge, have the time, skills, space and tools to take it on it may be worth paying up to $1k for it - if it's all there and has nothing other than surface rust. It also depends on its history eg is it a very low mileage, one owner car, does he have a pile of NOS spares he built up in readiness for the restoration. I don't know much about the US market although I track it, but later Sprites don't fetch anywhere near fully restored earlier Bugeye/Frogeyes. if you don't want the challenge but fancy the car you would probably be far better off financially buying a restored one

cheers

Andy

That car is an AH Sprite Mark III. 1964-1966 year. It would be a good project for someone that likes to rebuild cars but I personally think the owner should pay you to take it of his hands. If it was a 3000 then it would be a different story.

Mike,

Definitely runaway, the guy selling it either doesn't know it's not a 3000 or he's trying to fool you into believing that it is. It has a sketchy paperwork. Even if he gave it to you I doubt you could come anywhere close to recouping the cost of restoration. You're looking at the least valuable vehicle to carry a Healey badge (and yes, that includes Jensen-Healey) and that's assuming it's not an MG Midget.

Your quest to find and restore a Big Healey is a noble one, but the fact that you posted these pictures tells me you need to do a lot more research into the marque otherwise you may wind up with a handful of magic beans.

Thanks everyone, very informative. I'll stick to my original offer to haul it away for free. I can certainly pick out a bug eye over a 3000, but had no idea of these sprites! The quest continues... and I'll obviously continue to use this boards generous input and advice prior to pulling any triggers .

Run Forrest, run!

Mike,
Looks like $20,000 +/- and 3 years +/- of hard labor
and that little baby will be flying around the neighborhood.

Whew.

What they all said. Really nice early sprites can be had for $10k and $10k plus your years of your spare time wont get you to the same point. The car you show is a parts car at best.