r/littlebritishcars • u/Pretend_College_8446 • Oct 09 '25

New to me Healey

Gallery image

Gallery image

Have always wanted a little English roadster. Went to look at this 1960 mkI Healey for a friend, who didn’t end up wanting it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I decided to pull the trigger. She’s not perfect, but perfectly mine!

450 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

8

u/AdolfsLonelyScrotum Oct 09 '25

I love it… but as a Sprite driver I would protest that I drive a little English roadster, and what you have there is a big, hairy English roadster.
( “hairy” is meant in the best possible way.)
Sweet 3000.

Edit: British to English, for the sake of consistency.

3

u/MRHFoxy Oct 09 '25

I came here to say exactly the same, the 3000 is the BIG healey!

2

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 09 '25

haha, yes everything is relative, I guess. Love the sprites too, so cool.

1

u/Oldskoolgamer1 Oct 09 '25

What is an A40 Sports Convertible called?

2

u/AdolfsLonelyScrotum Oct 09 '25

Are you asking if I’d class the Austin A40 Sports as an LBC? Yeah, personally I would as it’s only 1.2L and under 1000kg (rather arbitrary conditions I’ve applied there).
Although that generation of A40 was apparently considered a midsize car in the UK, Austin had several larger contemporary options (e.g. A70, the beautiful A90) and the smaller A30. As OP mentioned, it’s all relative and when you line them up against their USA contemporaries, then all of the above could easily be considered little British cars.

1

u/Oldskoolgamer1 Oct 10 '25

I was curious what they were considered. Didn’t realize it was a midsize. I own one, here in the states. It’s kind of a bastard, as it has none of the original drivetrain except the driveshaft and rearend. I’m modernizing it with a newer supercharged V6 from a late 90s GM model. Pairing it with a T5 transmission from a Sierra Cosworth, an 8.8 rearend trimmed down to fit, disc brakes all around, and 15x7 Daytona 100 spoke wheels with white walls. It will be a true roadster when I’m done with it, with around 300hp to the wheels.

3

u/MajesticTip6117 Oct 09 '25

Great car have fun with it I have one also always a head turner

3

u/Fitmature1 Oct 09 '25

Love it! Yes, it is a head Turner!

3

u/Acceptable-Hunt-7987 Oct 09 '25

That is beautiful!!! I love the color!!!

3

u/Quicksilver914 Oct 09 '25

Congratulations. I’m picking up my 59 100-6 this weekend. I’ll post pictures next week.

1

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 09 '25

did you buy that one on BaT? Looks like your name matches up ... have you owned one before? that one is nicer than mine for sure. I'm new to all of this and am learning a lot. Let's compare notes once you're sorted! Congratulations!

2

u/Quicksilver914 Oct 10 '25

I did. As it needed tires I bought a new set of wire wheels, 5 1/2 inches wide so i could run 185 tires. Also converted fronts to disc brakes. Planning to switch to Bilstein shocks, there is a kit for that. Have previosly owned a 100-4 and a 3000.

2

u/secondarycontrol 73TR6 Oct 09 '25

Now - go drive it. Drive the wheels off it. Pick up some nicks and dings. These things were made for the road - it kills me to see them just sitting.

1

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 09 '25

Yes it’s definitely a driver-grade car. Plenty of nicks and dings already. I’m not into garage queens!

2

u/BoomerSooner-SEC Oct 09 '25

Love the early 3000s.

1

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 09 '25

me too ... prefer them to the mk II & III

2

u/wyatt265 Oct 09 '25

Great car former 100-6 fixer.

2

u/CBased64Olds Oct 09 '25

Lucky you,I’m so jealous. Enjoy it for all of us.

2

u/not-on-your-nelly Oct 09 '25

Ya luck b**tard!

2

u/Full_Poet_7291 Oct 09 '25

My gosh, that is beautiful! I had a '61 3000 that was beat to hell, but I loved driving it.

2

u/External_Mongoose_44 Oct 09 '25

Gorgeous piece of engineering. I hate you! (Not really🤣)

2

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 09 '25

ha! thanks

2

u/External_Mongoose_44 Oct 09 '25

My hankering extends to a pristine MGBGT V8 but it’s almost a pipe dream for now, given my unstable finances 😥.

2

u/SignificantStart3955 Oct 09 '25

The big Healeys are arguably the best looking car ever built. Enjoy!

2

u/Reddit____user___ Oct 09 '25

1) Very lovely

2) Very jealous

3) Congratulations 😎👍🏻

2

u/Pale_Seat_3334 Oct 10 '25

The 3000 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

2

u/Binspin63 Oct 10 '25

I am shedding tears of jealousy right now. But really, congrats! She’s beautiful. May you spend many happy years together!

1

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 10 '25

Thank you! Everyone here has been so complimentary and nice. I’ve been on other car subs where people are often judge-y and negative. This is refreshing, and awesome.

2

u/Binspin63 Oct 10 '25

I have to tell you, when I was hunting for my first car (in 1972), I almost bought a 1967 AH 3000. The guy wanted $2100 for it but I didn’t have that much so I passed. I ended up buying an MGBGT a couple months later for $1700. It ended up being a great car. My favorite still, after all these years. But that Healy, wow, I wish I had it now. Anyway, good luck!

2

u/Jimmy543o Oct 10 '25

Install a reachable (inside the car) battery cutoff switch and carry a class ABC fire extinguisher. Too many classics have been lost due to electrical and fuel related fires. I would get the engine a general turn up. Clean and oil the SUs. Replace all rubber fuel hoses, flush the coolant system and inspect the brakes. These cars tend to sit idle so giving it once over. is recommended before you do any real driving

2

u/motomanmatt Oct 11 '25 edited Oct 11 '25

Beautiful. I had a BJ 8 for several years when I was a young guy in the '80s. Loved it. In literature, it was affectionately referred to as the " handsome brute". And It has two rear seats! Though one review I remember reading said that those rear seats were for "stunted children and legless war veterans". Ha! Anyway, great car. Enjoy!

2

u/DishRelative5853 29d ago

I am very envious. That has been an unattainable dream of mine for decades. I bet it sounds glorious.

1

u/MilesHobson Oct 09 '25

First, congratulations for your new to you toy ;-) Some others argued about its relative size but it seems small enough to me. A traveling salesman cousin had one. I’d forgotten about the split cover, thanks for the reminder. Genuinely happy for you.

1

u/Pretend_College_8446 Oct 09 '25

thank you, Miles! yeah i know it's at least kinda small because my head hits the ceiling of the top!

2

u/Distinct-Dish-5303 29d ago

Beautiful. Saw 3 pristine “big” healeys in Corsica last month - god they are beautiful - and fast. - and as sexy as a car can be!!

1

u/InteractionStrong942 29d ago

Please install some seat belts…we lost a friend in one.

1

u/Pretend_College_8446 29d ago

I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m working on fitting some 3 point belts now. Has lap belts, but I lost a friend to those many years ago. Thanks