That's right, someone actually broke into a man's garage in west London on Christmas Eve to steal this perfectly restored Austin-Healey 100. The owner spent 18 months restoring the British classic and is now asking for the public's help in finding it.
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Unfortunately, they'll have to hack it up to make any money. If they try to sell that car whole, they'll be caught in minutes.
NOHOME
SuperDork
1/6/15 1:36 p.m.
The car is already in Eastern Europe somewhere.
Ian F
MegaDork
1/6/15 3:15 p.m.
Hopefully it isn't found burnt to the ground like a stolen Mini a couple of weeks ago.
NOHOME wrote:
The car is already in Eastern Europe somewhere.
I knew I shouldn't have left...
The equivalent of $200,000. is a lot of money for a big Healey, no matter how nice. I'm actually shocked at classic car prices in the U.K. The Brits seem to be paying at least double or more than we do on our side of the pond.
I don't know where the thieves could sell. They have to get it out of the U.K. to start and I'd guess even in eastern Europe it could be traced. Hate to think of it being parted out.
NOHOME
SuperDork
1/7/15 10:56 a.m.
Albanians are pretty much "A la carte" auto thieves and have been for a long time.
This article pertains to Minis and Escorts, but applies to pretty much anything with 4 wheels.
http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/general-classic-car-news/more-classics-being-targeted-by-thieves-across-the-uk
"...Scores of classic Minis have been stolen since September according to the latest figures from police. Owners of early Ford Escorts and Volkswagen campervans are also being warned that their vehicles are being targeted.
In November, C&SC warned that Mini thefts had gone "ballistic" in the Midlands, but the policeman looking into the crimewave says it has now spread nationwide and covers all variants.
...– it's thought that most of the cars are being broken for parts, making project cars particularly vulnerable."
TR8owner wrote:
The equivalent of $200,000. is a lot of money for a big Healey, no matter how nice. I'm actually shocked at classic car prices in the U.K. The Brits seem to be paying at least double or more than we do on our side of the pond.
Probably because there were/are more big Healeys in the US than there ever were in Great Britain.
It has been Taken Liam is on his way to find it
Rupert
HalfDork
1/15/15 6:57 p.m.
TR8owner wrote:
The equivalent of $200,000. is a lot of money for a big Healey, no matter how nice. I'm actually shocked at classic car prices in the U.K.
Actually we're talking about the equivalent of $152,00+/-. But I do agree with your point about British pricing of their own old cars. They hated most of these rides when new because they were awful rides & not at all useful for transportation. And in fact if it weren't for the North American market fawning over anything British for decades, almost none would have ever been built or sold in the first place.
Now that they have lots of cash and plenty of garage space many Brits as well as many North Americans are willing to buy these cars which from day one were and are still awful, as toys.
God Forbid anyone would need to use one to actually get to work, then or now!! I can well remember how much trouble I got into in the '60s when I was late or missed work entirely because my only rides were British cars and motorcycles!
Rupert
HalfDork
1/16/15 11:41 a.m.
TR8owner: Being interested in Brit cars with V-8s, check out this month's issue of Hemings Sports & Exotic Cars. The cover car is a MGB with a Rover motor, Jaguar IRS, Miata seats, etc.
The owner made a very attractive car. It's certainly not my style, but hey, it's his car.
In reply to Rupert:
I saw that. I know a guy locally who has more or less done the same to his MGBGT. Also know another a guy who is dropping a Ford 302 into an MGA. That's a bit over the top, even for me.
Rupert
HalfDork
1/17/15 10:38 a.m.
In reply to TR8owner: Yes, they're a guy in our local club who has a MGB roadster with a 265 in it. He didn't do anything to the rear end, or that I can tell to the front suspension either. It doesn't appear to handle well. Except in a straight line of course.
NOHOME
UltraDork
1/18/15 11:54 a.m.
Rupert wrote:
In reply to TR8owner: Yes, they're a guy in our local club who has a MGB roadster with a 265 in it. He didn't do anything to the rear end, or that I can tell to the front suspension either. It doesn't appear to handle well. Except in a straight line of course.
I should imagine it handles as well as any stock MGB? The V8 does not add any significant weight to the front of the car such that it would be noticeable.
Rupert
HalfDork
1/18/15 1:33 p.m.
In reply to NOHOME: Maybe he has something else going on there. It sure acts more like a Road Runner or a Hemi Cuda on turn-in than any stock MGB I ever saw.