Buy it!!!
It's got a 948cc engine, 4-speed gearbox with no syncro on 1st gear, and
a 4.85:1 rear, which means that at 65 mph in top gear you're engine is
running around 5000 rpm. The good news is that all of this can be
upgraded with rebuit parts from England for under $2000.
There are very few of the 948's left. Yours is a VERY early one. The
majority of Herald production was in the '60s. The engine was upped to
1147cc in '61, then to 1296cc around '67, and the rear was dropped to a
more reasonable 4.11, also in '61. I had my '62 convertible up to 90-odd
mph, (but I was young and foolish then...) without blowing the engine.
The basic engine casting was used in Spitfires up till the end (1980),
so it's a simple matter to bolt in an engine up to 1498 cc., though I'm
still running my 1147. Same with the diff, at leat through the Spit Mk
3. Your gearbox is a little weird, though. As I understand it, the bell
housing is not removable? They are on the later boxes, including my '62.
Front and rear suspensions were used on Spitfires, too, though there are
some Herald-only components, such as the rear spring.
There is some pretty good support for Spits here in the US. For Herald-
only parts (body, interior, etc.) you're going to have to get them from
England. I would personally advise doing so anyway, as prices there are
usually cheaper, even at $1.65 to the British pound. For some sample
prices, check out
http://rimmer.aspectgroup.co.uk:80/
and
http://www.kipping.co.uk/
In short, the car is restorable.
> It looks like it would be a fun 4 seater car to cruise in!
It is!!! Give the man his $1000. Buy the car!!!
Bill Kelly
P.S. I'm sure by now you've been contacted by one Andy Mace, asking
about serial numbers and the like.
P.P.S. Heralds have been popping out of the woodwork lately, even in the
US. TRF, take note!
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