[Healeys] Recent 100M on BAT

[Bob Spidell]

Excellent report, thank you.

I was one of the commenters on BaT--I joined BaT to comment--but, since 
I have a BN2/100M I'm not familiar with BN1 differences and could only 
point out obvious differences with my car (which was completely original 
as far as I can tell, except for extensive body work). One thing that 
was somewhat disturbing to me is that the Registry certified this car, 
while noting some major anomalies (the carbs, for instance, looked to be 
new and didn't have the hand scribing like my car).

The other thing that interested me is, how do you value this car? Yes, 
it's a very nice car, probably a good driver but, IMO, its value 
/should/ be less than a comparably restored, original BN1 or BN2. And, 
what did the previous owner know, or should have known about this car? 
How do you present it for sale; as a BN1 with 'M bits?' It would need 
the proverbial asterisk alongside the page title.

Bob



On 12/14/2023 8:15 AM, S and T Miller wrote:
> If you were following it recently,  you might find my observations 
> interesting.  So I went down to Michael's motor cars to help him 
> determine if the 100m indeed has a BN1 chassis. Here is what I found.
>
> It has the BN1 inner fenders with the rolled pressings. It has the BN1 
> front brake hose frame mount the is less pronounced welded BN1 
> bracket, as the later cars have a bolted on bracket. The front shock 
> towers have no evidence of being replaced and show the factory welds. 
> The gearbox mount shows non-original/factory welds as if it were 
> replaced to accommodate the BN2 mount.
>
> What I found most interesting is that where a BN1 has two OD relays 
> mounted under the dash, it took shining a light it different 
> directions to just make out the slight evidence of filled holes (4 of 
> then for the two relays). And I was able to reach inside the vent just 
> below that area with my fingers and feel the welds and welding wire 
> that was used to fill those 4 holes. I can tell you someone took great 
> care to try and make those holes seem as they never existed.  Along 
> with that, where a BN2 would have the single OD relay attached to the 
> firewall with machine screws screwed into welded captive nuts on the 
> firewall,  you can see plain sheet screws were used to mount it in 
> what would be a BN2 relay position.
>
> I also feel the engine tag is a repo because of the lighter stamping. 
> Originals tend to have the numbers/ letters stamped with a deeper end 
> result.  I took my repo engine tag along to compare, and they appeared 
> identical in the stampings. The body/ bath tag and VIN plate appear 
> original. Now that doesn't mean that the engine isn't the correct M 
> engine, because there could be many reasons why the engine tag was 
> replaced. Anyone who drove a stock 100 compared to a 100M can attest 
> to the difference in power, and Mike stated that it indeed has that M 
> power.
>
> The boot lid shows no evidence of the stay bracket being swapped off 
> another lid, and if you look closely you can see that the boot shows 
> some previous age/life. I'd believe it to be original. I could not 
> make out any evidence of the bonnet number being sliced in from a M 
> bonnet, but I will say that the underside of the bonnet seemed 
> suspiciously clean and prestine. I couldn't detect any age like the 
> boot, but that would be for someone else to decide.
>
> Mike had asked me if the cold air box was original,  and I simply 
> don't have that experience to know. I have anyways heard if it looks 
> old, it's original.  It does indeed look to have some age, so?
>
> I feel at some point in this car's life someone went to some effort to 
> try and conceal that these 100M parts were reinstalled on a BN1 
> chassis. Another interesting note is that there was an attempt to fill 
> the holes where a BN1 chassis plate is fitted on the frame rail. 
> Perhaps the person didn't realize that the holes continued over to the 
> BN2's, and thought they were erasing evidence of a BN1 chassis?
>
> With all that said, Mike is simply trying to represent the car 
> correctly. The car is a very nice car! Paint is very nice, car is 
> straight, and gaps look good. Interior is very nice, and looks to be a 
> very good car all around. I didn't drive the car, but Mike has years 
> of experience under his belt, so I'd trust his opinions on that. With 
> the quality of the restoration,  it is surprising that the front frame 
> to shroud brackets were not welded to the frame. Chrome looks good, 
> and I'd think winning some trophies at a popular vote car would not be 
> an issue.
>
>
> The Millers
>
> "Always drive them, but remember each drive in an antique car is a 
> test drive."
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