Highlights

One of only 77 coach-built Healey Abbotts by the Donald Healey Motor Company
Only 33 known survivors
Owned by the same family since the early 1970s
Extensive documentation and history, including articles by the previous owner
Approximately £24,000 spent on restoration efforts in 'today's money'
Ready and waiting for completion and reassembly

The Appeal

Donald Healey established his motor company in 1945, and stormed into it with remarkable enthusiasm. A successful rally driver himself, and a bit of a self-made car designer, he had big ideas and an obsession for quality that few post-war manufacturers could concentrate on so easily. It wasn't an easy brief to get right first time. Their first roadster - the Westland - had proven a little shaky, being excellent on the track but not particularly driver-friendly.

A couple more shots were made, of varying success, but in 1950 they seemed to turn a corner. By all accounts, the cars of this era were small but impressive success stories - and the Healey-Abbott Drophead Coupe was no different. Refined and redesigned upon its predecessor's difficulties, this car used lower gearing and offered a little more comfort. The result was an altogether more affable, bold roadster.

All the same, Healey never put out great quantities of metal. The Healey-Abbot only had 77 examples built, with only 33 known survivors. They're a bit of a unicorn, and most enthusiasts will clamour to get their hands on one.

Ours today is a stalled restoration, ready to be completed. It's still in a state of disassembly, but the engine has been rebuilt, as has the gearbox, plenty has been rechromed and some of the interior fittings are ready to go. It's a highly tantalising project, that will no doubt prove rewarding. We'd recommend taking a look through the photos, as they will give a far more complete itinerary than we'll have space for!

The History and Paperwork

First registered in 1953
One of only 77 coach-built Healey Abbotts by the Donald Healey Motor Company in Warwick
Only 33 known survivors
Selling due to the recent passing of the owner's father, who never completed the restoration
The father owned the car since the early 1970s and took it off the road in 1977 for restoration
Photographed list of work and parts available for full details
A large number of receipts and correspondence held, including two articles written by the father on its restoration for the Association of Healey Owners gazettes
Approximately £24,000 spent in 'today's money' based on notebook records of expenditure, using an online inflation calculator
V5 registration document held
Unique opportunity to purchase

The Condition

Vehicle is currently dismantled (as per photos)
All aluminium panels present, stripped of paint
Chassis is solid with some small repairs done at the time of dismantling
Chassis will require surface treatment (rust removal, painting, sealing, etc.)
Ash frame has been restored
Interior woodwork has been restored
New instruments purchased or restored
New hood material and carpet purchased
New ply for door cards manufactured (new linings required)
Car was completely dismantled, ash frame professionally repaired by TT Coachworks
Aluminium body panels stripped and straightened where required
Restored and new parts have been dry stored indoors, many wrapped in newspaper and contained within cardboard boxes
All chrome work re-chromed
Interior woodwork restored
Instruments (speedometer, tachometer, etc.) and trafficators restored
New carpet purchased
New number plates and mounting plates
New hood material purchased
Steering wheel restored
New suspension springs, tyres, and inner tubes

The Mechanics

2443cc Riley 4-cylinder engine
4-speed manual transmission
Engine and gearbox have been rebuilt
Axles require restoration (some new parts present, such as wheel cylinders)
Engine and gearbox rebuilt, many new parts purchased or existing ones restored
New brake components (wheel cylinders, etc.)
Dry lead acid batteries
Engine radiator restored
Fuel pump and new side lamps included

BEFORE YOU BUY

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