Highlights
- Subject to a 700-hour fully documented restoration with over £16,000 invested
- Chassis and body stripped, repaired and refinished
- Fully reupholstered interior
- In excess of £10,000 spent since purchase on total gearbox rebuild, new Hardy Engineering overdrive unit, complete new front end suspension and brake assemblies
- Recently serviced with new points, spark plugs, and oil
- Striking Florida Green with Old English White side flashes
The Appeal
The BN7 and BT7 were the first of the 3000 'Big Healeys', introducing the 3.0-litre BMC C-Series straight-six as a replacement for the 2.6-litre unit used in the outgoing 100-6. To compensate for the additional performance, they also gained front disc brakes. Fewer than 14,000 MkIs were built.
Here we have a simply stunning restored example of the BT7 - the four-seater variant - which was originally bound for the United States of America.
Imported from Florida, it has since undergone an extensive restoration, with over £16,000 and 700 man hours invested in its restoration. Since the vendor acquired it in 2022, further improvements/enhancements have been carried out to a value in excess of £10,000. Suffice it to say, this is one very well-sorted car.
The vendor summarises
"A really great and practical example of this true British classic, a genuine head turner with nothing to spend for reliable and exciting motoring for the next owner."
Here we have a simply stunning restored example of the BT7 - the four-seater variant - which was originally bound for the United States of America.
Imported from Florida, it has since undergone an extensive restoration, with over £16,000 and 700 man hours invested in its restoration. Since the vendor acquired it in 2022, further improvements/enhancements have been carried out to a value in excess of £10,000. Suffice it to say, this is one very well-sorted car.
The vendor summarises
"A really great and practical example of this true British classic, a genuine head turner with nothing to spend for reliable and exciting motoring for the next owner."
History and Paperwork
- US spec LHD car, since converted to RHD
- Imported from the USA (Florida) in 2013
- Purchased by the previous owner in 2016
- Over the following 5 years, the previous owner spent over £16,000 and 700 man-hours (fully documented) completely dismantling and progressively rebuilding the car
- £10,000 spent on further improvements during current ownership
- 87,780 miles indicated
- Exempt from road tax and MOT
The Condition
- The paintwork looks in very good overall condition with only a few very minor blemishes
- The brightwork, being mostly new, presents exceedingly well
- The windscreen frame may require re-plating at some stage but is not seriously corroded
- The interior has been completely reupholstered by the previous owner
- Full chassis and body strip, replacing minor body panels where necessary, although most of the originals remain
- Chassis and underside were powder-coated in a body-matching colour (photo available)
- Upper bodywork was stripped to bare metal, repaired as necessary, primed, and repainted in two-pack Florida Green with Old English White side flashes
- New windscreen, badges, trim, halogen headlights, powder-coated wires with new spinners, and period-correct new tyres were added
- Due to low mileage and dry storage under current ownership, the vendor informs us that the interior remains in excellent order
- All switchgear is fully functioning with spotlights linked to the full beam
- All instruments are functioning, although the speedometer can sometimes be a little temperamental
The Mechanics
- 3.0-litre petrol straight-six
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- We're informed that the engine starts well and runs smoothly on tick over once up to temperature with steady oil pressure
- Full engine strip and reassembly performed with many new parts during the restoration
- Transmission, fuel tank and lines, wiring loom, replacement radiator, and cooling system were also addressed
- During current ownership, the car has had a total gearbox rebuild and new overdrive unit (Hardy Engineering), complete front end suspension and brake assemblies (receipts and photo record of all this work)
- In 2023, the twin SU carburettors were stripped, cleaned, and rebalanced professionally, resulting in much improved performance and emissions
- More recently, the points and plugs have been replaced, and a general oil service was conducted
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