Keith Martin has been involved with the collector car hobby for more than 40 years, and is the founder and publisher of this magazine. Keith has also written for the New York Times, Automobile, AutoWeek, Road & Track and other publications, has been an emcee for numerous concours, and had his own show, “What’s My Car Worth,” shown on Velocity. He has received many honors, including the Lee Iacocca Award, the Edward Herrmann Award, was inducted into the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame, and more. He has served on the board of directors of The LeMay Museum and Oregon Ballet Theater, and was formerly the chair of the board of the Meguiar’s Award. Learn more about Keith here.
The ’57 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint “outlaw” I waxed enthusiastic about last week has been sold, but not to me. The car was in Limoux, FRA, and nicely represented by the European seller, RCEurope. It was difficult enough for me to pull the trigger on our 2005 Porsche on a Bring a Trailer auction located 180 miles away in Seattle, WA. Now turn that into 5,200 miles and add in transport to a port in Europe, then shipping (either a container or roll-on, roll-off) to a port on the U.S. West Coast and things are infinitely more complicated. Plus, at every […]
The ’57 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint “outlaw” I waxed enthusiastic about last week has been sold, but not to me. The car was in Limoux, FRA, and nicely represented by the European seller, RCEurope.
It was difficult enough for me to pull the trigger on our 2005 Porsche on a Bring a Trailer auction located 180 miles away in Seattle, WA. Now turn that into 5,200 miles and add in transport to a port in Europe, then shipping (either a container or roll-on, roll-off) to a port on the U.S. West Coast and things are infinitely more complicated. Plus, at every step of the way there is paperwork as well as fees and duties to be calculated.
The winning bid was €68,250 Euro, or about $79,000. In today’s soft market, that’s full retail (although far below replacement value) for this nicely done car.
The seller provided a rather bewildering array of options and charges to import the car, but it became clear that I could easily rack up $20,000 or more to get it from Limoux to Portland.
One option that was not mentioned was what it would cost to use a reputable shipper to handle the whole process from soup to nuts. A single email, followed by money, could make this process much easier. But it would still be expensive.
I should also mention that there are calculators out there to figure this stuff out, including this one at The Daily Vroom.
Regardless, it appears the car is going to a new home in Europe, so transport costs might be as little as petrol and a Chunnel crossing.
During this process, as the bids were going higher and higher, SCM’s Editor-in-Chief Jeff Sabatini posed an interesting question.
“Why do you want this car?” he asked. “You’ve already owned Alfa coupes including a 750 Sprint Veloce, a Giulietta Sprint Special and a GTV. What would you do with it that is new?”
Further, he continued, your desire to own this car is predicated on your belief that, despite medical advice to the contrary, you will have a clutch leg again in good time.
That’s a reasonable consideration. However, I’ve had some remarkable process recently. I’m now walking with a four-point cane for the first time in years. And I will never stop working.
Which leads me to this, a 1962 Austin-Healey 3000.
12 responses to “Keith’s Blog: A Healey on the Horizon?”
BEK_Boston
I’d go with the ’62, primarily because of interior color. I prefer the look of the tan, but more importantly I hate black leather in a convertible… way too hot and uncomfortable.
Mike Harton
I just bought a ‘62 Healey, after longing for one for decades. I had a ‘60 when in college and had to sell it when I got married. (Even though it’s a “4’seater” two of ladies in the car pole with my wife just didn’t like the back seat 😏).
The ‘62 is close and so far I’ve had no problems keeping the 3 SUs tuned. And she runs like a “scalded dog”—from one gas station to the next.
Robert L Banks
I loved my Big Healey–one of the favorite cars that I have owned. It was a 1967 3000 BJ8 Mark III in Healey Blue with its original dark blue vinyl interior, complete with the silvery piping. It had only 31,000 miles on it when I acquired it from its original owner in about 1990. It had a dark blue top and tonneau, front disc brakes and overdrive (I strongly recommend getting one with overdrive if you plan to drive it). I had it restored completely by a Healey expert and used it regularly to take my kids to soccer games (with that fine but small back seat and my son sitting sideways!) and drive around locally with my wife when the weather was nice. Sorry I can’t post a picture of it here–glad to send one via email–but you would have liked it. I sold it in the late ’90s to a fellow in Ohio. I liked the latest model due to improvements made over the years (e.g., roll up windows), but if you like the BT7 or BJ7, go for it! –Bob
Stephen Gizzi
I could not agree more with Mr. Banks. The BJ-8 was a vast improvement over the earlier ones in terms of comfort, the ride and performance. So my vote would be none of the above and suggest you hold out for the end models.
And BTW, a big congratulations on your medical progress. A long road back and now rewarded with a special trophy 🏆- a 3rd pedal!!
Rand Wintermute
Ten years ago , I owned a BN 7 Healey and drove it to Monterey Car week and showed it at Carmel’s Ocean Avenue Concours that Tuesday; Getting there was another story even with a fresh engine rebuild. The drive thru the Redwoods had enough breeze to keep it from overheating ! After owning many Alfa’s , this car was a Beast in acceleration and dangerously fast to the level of being scary….can’t imagine driving a “ Big” Healey ! My BN had Pipes terminating at the Driver’s door and outward, so I could hear the engine ….what a sound ! Sold it at the Concours and my pals and I flew home ! But what a sound !!
Bob FitzSimons
I had a bugeye and I loved it. The important part of this post is the part where you say you’re continuing to make progress with that clutch leg. THAT is the news we want to hear.
Keep on working.
Jamie Palmer
Roll up windows. Game, set and match.
Mike Harton
Make that “pool” instead of pole!🤨
Jeff Guzaitis
I’ve owned a BN6, a BJ8, and currently a BN7. I’d choose the BT7 because roll up windows just make you soft.
George E. Giese
I have imported a number of cars from UK and Europe – I have no idea how I could spend $20,000 doing so even if I wanted to! I have always arranged my own shipping through Wallenius Wilhelmsen lines to Tacoma, I’ve sent all my cars (several dozen at least) ro-ro and I don’t trust containers for a variety of reasons, and I’ve never had one damaged. Once in USA I’ve frequently been able to clear customs myself at Tacoma and driven the cars home from the port. Yes, it’s more work but it is doable.
Rand Wintermute
I did the same with a pre-war Alfa Romeo that I imported from Rome. Walenius Lines is reliable and a great alternative to shipping a car in a 20’TEU…. Plus about 1/3 the cost . Another advantage is “Quick Dispatch ( release from U.S. Customs ) !
Instead of the two (2) examples given, honestly, I’d hold out for a nice BN6/BN7 2-seater. Besides the sleeker lines, it actually has a quite large trunk, as neither the spare tire nor battery are carried in it. While rollup windows were an showroom advancement, keep in mind that they were adapted to the roadster’s doors, so not the finely engineered operation of a 70s-80s European car (and all the ones I’ve driven, rattled a lot).
I’m VERY HAPPY to hear of the continued progress with your clutch leg, and I never considered the stock Healey clutch to be a heavy effort.
Whichever model you choose, I think you’ll find the Healey to be an enjoyable experience. I still have BN6 that I bought from the late proprietor of Austin-Healey West in San Francisco, Ray Caivano on April 1st, 1978. If you’re so inclined, here’s a peek at it: https://www.spcarsplus.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/706
12 responses to “Keith’s Blog: A Healey on the Horizon?”
I’d go with the ’62, primarily because of interior color. I prefer the look of the tan, but more importantly I hate black leather in a convertible… way too hot and uncomfortable.
I just bought a ‘62 Healey, after longing for one for decades. I had a ‘60 when in college and had to sell it when I got married. (Even though it’s a “4’seater” two of ladies in the car pole with my wife just didn’t like the back seat 😏).
The ‘62 is close and so far I’ve had no problems keeping the 3 SUs tuned. And she runs like a “scalded dog”—from one gas station to the next.
I loved my Big Healey–one of the favorite cars that I have owned. It was a 1967 3000 BJ8 Mark III in Healey Blue with its original dark blue vinyl interior, complete with the silvery piping. It had only 31,000 miles on it when I acquired it from its original owner in about 1990. It had a dark blue top and tonneau, front disc brakes and overdrive (I strongly recommend getting one with overdrive if you plan to drive it). I had it restored completely by a Healey expert and used it regularly to take my kids to soccer games (with that fine but small back seat and my son sitting sideways!) and drive around locally with my wife when the weather was nice. Sorry I can’t post a picture of it here–glad to send one via email–but you would have liked it. I sold it in the late ’90s to a fellow in Ohio. I liked the latest model due to improvements made over the years (e.g., roll up windows), but if you like the BT7 or BJ7, go for it! –Bob
I could not agree more with Mr. Banks. The BJ-8 was a vast improvement over the earlier ones in terms of comfort, the ride and performance. So my vote would be none of the above and suggest you hold out for the end models.
And BTW, a big congratulations on your medical progress. A long road back and now rewarded with a special trophy 🏆- a 3rd pedal!!
Ten years ago , I owned a BN 7 Healey and drove it to Monterey Car week and showed it at Carmel’s Ocean Avenue Concours that Tuesday;
Getting there was another story even with a fresh engine rebuild. The drive thru the Redwoods had enough breeze to keep it from overheating ! After owning many Alfa’s , this car was a Beast in acceleration and dangerously fast to the level of being scary….can’t imagine driving a “ Big” Healey ! My BN had Pipes terminating at the Driver’s door and outward, so I could hear the engine ….what a sound ! Sold it at the Concours and my pals and I flew home ! But what a sound !!
I had a bugeye and I loved it. The important part of this post is the part where you say you’re continuing to make progress with that clutch leg. THAT is the news we want to hear.
Keep on working.
Roll up windows. Game, set and match.
Make that “pool” instead of pole!🤨
I’ve owned a BN6, a BJ8, and currently a BN7. I’d choose the BT7 because roll up windows just make you soft.
I have imported a number of cars from UK and Europe – I have no idea how I could spend $20,000 doing so even if I wanted to! I have always arranged my own shipping through Wallenius Wilhelmsen lines to Tacoma, I’ve sent all my cars (several dozen at least) ro-ro and I don’t trust containers for a variety of reasons, and I’ve never had one damaged. Once in USA I’ve frequently been able to clear customs myself at Tacoma and driven the cars home from the port. Yes, it’s more work but it is doable.
I did the same with a pre-war Alfa Romeo that I imported from Rome. Walenius Lines is reliable and a great alternative to shipping a car in a 20’TEU…. Plus about 1/3 the cost . Another advantage is “Quick Dispatch ( release from U.S. Customs ) !
Instead of the two (2) examples given, honestly, I’d hold out for a nice BN6/BN7 2-seater. Besides the sleeker lines, it actually has a quite large trunk, as neither the spare tire nor battery are carried in it. While rollup windows were an showroom advancement, keep in mind that they were adapted to the roadster’s doors, so not the finely engineered operation of a 70s-80s European car (and all the ones I’ve driven, rattled a lot).
I’m VERY HAPPY to hear of the continued progress with your clutch leg, and I never considered the stock Healey clutch to be a heavy effort.
Whichever model you choose, I think you’ll find the Healey to be an enjoyable experience. I still have BN6 that I bought from the late proprietor of Austin-Healey West in San Francisco, Ray Caivano on April 1st, 1978.
If you’re so inclined, here’s a peek at it: https://www.spcarsplus.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/706