AUTOMOTIVE ARCHEOLOGY

A few “posts” ago I mentioned that we – that’s me and Kent Lambert – saved another Healey, buying a long-dormant BN2 out of Tacoma.  The car is now at Kent’s place in Hood River and the sorting out can begin in earnest in preparation for the repairs that will follow.

It took several days just to clear away a lot of stuff to get to the point where the garage door could be seen and opened.

Kent has been sorting the parts that came with it and I’ve been reviewing and organizing the paperwork and old photos.  We’ll be working on the car together in a few days.  I’m focused on saving the interior and I think that with enough cleaning and leather rejuvenating we can keep everything, the original Kar-Vel carpet included.

The Healey 100 emerging from its long nap.  It had been off the road, up on blocks, for at least 30 years. 

As with many old cars with long-term ownership (58 years; the previous owner (PO) bought it in 1962) there are some mysteries, but that long-term owner passed away in December and so we’ll never get a chance to ask him; thus the term “automotive archeology” for the task ahead.  Who knows what surprises we’ll find?  In the meantime, here’s a preview:

The PO bought it as a used car from the Donald Healey Motor Company showroom in London.  Yes, we have the paperwork.