[Healeys] The BaT BN7

[editorgary at aol.com]

This is definitely an interesting car. The serial number makes it one of the
very first BN7s ever built, in very early 1959. But the amount of work done on
it, both in rebuilding the frame and body after the hit, and in radically
upgrading the engine, put it one level below a "Nasty Boy" in the modification
pecking order. Non-standard exterior trim (no bumpers, rally auxiliary
headlamps, non-standard paint colors and color combination, non-standard
interior trim and colors, and engine mods beyond anything ever  done in
period, as well as admitted crash history, mean that there are no real
comparable standards with which to value the car on the basis of potential
sales value. So, the new buyer will be well-cautioned to be aware of the
extent of lack of originality as well as making very sure of the quality of
the car in all respects. The fact that the previous owner has had the car for
much of its recent life means that there should be both a very detailed
modification and service record, as well as information on what specific
modifications were done and how they were done. That's not a judgement on the
car's attractiveness or potential for giving a new owner a lot of driving fun.
It's just a "be very, very careful" kind of a caution for a car that's being
priced at a value that would also buy a very original, older restoration or
original condition car.

G.





Gary Anderson
Editor-in-Chief, The Star Magazine
Mercedes-Benz Club of America