Good day, Listers,
Kinda late on this thread as I have been really busy during the holidays,
etc. but noticed lots of interest on this thread subject so, hopefully, you
aren't all bored on it yet: So, my story: I have owned - or have been
owned by - my 65 BJ8 since 1972. She never nags, never sulks and is always
ready for a good time!! I first saw a mid-fifties model Healey parked
outside the town "soda shop" after school one day in, say 1963 or so. Loved
its lines, but didn't know what it was - soon found out it was owned by one
of the "in crowd" rich kids. Never realized it was a Healey until many
years later. However, never really forgot the car. Then a few years later
while on a date with a really nice young lady in college we talked about
"what kind of car I would really like to have". We were sitting in my '54
Ford sedan..... She said she would like to have an Austin-Healey, saying it
was really the neatest (or somesuch) car. Not knowing what a Healey
was....I didn't have a comeback, but said I wanted an XKE. Made the mistake
of NOT marrying her.... After graduating and earning money several years
later in 1972 I decided to go after the XKE. I was stationed in Sacramento,
CA and looked in the want ads, etc. Didn't find an XKE, but saw an ad for a
Healey. It was a 'bad boy' conversion with a 350 Corvette engine. I didn't
like the way it drove and as I already had a SS Camaro with the 350, I
didn't buy it but the next day or so saw an ad for a '65. Had to go look at
it - it was "all there" but sitting in the rear of a residential lot
surrounded by overgrown weeds. The owner had parked her because he had lost
his license for too many speeding tickets..... I decided I had to have the
car. She was battleship gray and had a couple of dents in the left rear
fender, but something just told me I had to have her. Gave the guy $1800
and drove her home. Wife drove the Camaro - she took it as devorce spoils,
too.
"The Healey" as we call her has been painted twice since then. The last
time in 1979 when I did an "owner restorartion", but the lacquer has held up
well. Have only had a little dogleg rust and replaced the panel then. Car
is in great shape and I love her dearly. Used to drive her daily but now
she is my "escape ride" on nice days, etc. Have never really missed the
XKE, but did own an XK-150 for a while, too. Wish you all a great new year!
Stever
|