The people who buy these (auctioned) cars are NOT Healey enthusiasts in the
way you and I are. They do NOT care that a car does not meet concourse
standards.
Likewise, these people have money to burn. Discretionary money is
proportional to the total amount of money one has. What is cost prohibitive
to us is nothing to the people who bid at these auctions. ( I read an
example--once--in a car mag that brings the proportional principle home:
Thirty thousand dolars damage to a one-million car is reparable damage;
thirty thousand dollars damage to a Healey is an insurance "Total")
The value of the auction cars is dubious because of all the artificialities
inherent in a rich-man's auction venue.
As far as amateur versus professional restoration, trust me; there is no
guarentee that a "professional" restoration is any better than an amateur
restoration. That is why I am re-restoring my car after a highly regarded
professional Healey really dorked it up the first time.
There. In an attempt to redirect this thread I have just added to it.
Good job, Johnny-boy.
JR.
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