Bill that was one of the best and thoughtful responses that anyone has given
to Doug's "Dilemma". Cheers!!
Doug I drive a "driver" condition BJ8. It's in excellent mechanical
condition. Looks great from 10 feet.
I also drive a 98 Mustang Cobra. They're both driven all the time over the
warm months. Of the two the
Healey gets the most use though. When I want the kick in the rear, I take
the Cobra. My 95 Ford Excort
Wagon handles the snow.
Just my solution.
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: <Wwycoffbn7@aol.com>
To: <dwflagg@juno.com>
Cc: <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: Dilemma
> Doug,
>
> From the Digest, the great team here has addressed your question well.
> The
> answer seems to have been reached. However, I can't resist
> contributing.
>
> But, I am one of the worst folks to give advice on your important
> question.
> The reason is that in 1985, we were faced with the problem of a baby on
> the
> way, the Healeys were years and years away from being able to run and our
> work horse vehicle had 200k plus miles.
>
> What we did was secure an '85 Mustang GT. We drove it regularly,
> autocrossed it a bit and enjoyed the heck out of it.
>
> The '85 is still with us and has less than 70k miles. Five years back,
> thought presented itself that it should be sold to fund getting the 3000
> in
> shape. One problem there was that even though the car is undamaged,
> wears near
> perfect paint, runs great, the resale value is near zilch. It is a
> conservative body style (I could never appreciate the '86 add-ons), it is
> the last of
> the series to have a carb - a good and bad thing- , has the HI-PO, roller
> cam,
> Freon AC that has never leaked and has no problem chilling that
> greenhouse
> down as cold as one could stand, etc, making it somewhat special to us.
> However, it is not special to most.
>
> So, we keep it in good (i.e. great) shape, enjoy the heck out of it on hot
> days, cold days without snow, rainy days and for long Western trips that
> exploit its true GT heritage. Fifth gear is not quite usable unless you
> over 60.
> On the other hand the 3000 gets out as often as possible; for long
> mountain
> drives, shows, tours, club functions, etc, etc.
>
> There is no shorting the quality and character of many of the Mustang
> folks
> we know either. Although, most of them have become vintage oriented too.
> The passage of time will do that, I guess. The Healey people are a
> special
> lot. A breed apart.
>
> As much as the cars are different, they also show similar roots.
>
> This is why I am one of the worst to consider about the situation.
> Parting
> with either seems unthinkable. If pressed to the ultimate decision
> point,
> the GT would be put up for sale. The A-H society, the feel of the
> roadster,
> the sounds, the history, etc., etc., Cutting loose the 3000 would make
> a
> vacuum in our lives that would not be easily filled.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Bill
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