[Healeys] [O/T] Beverly Hills Car Club

Mon Aug 8 13:28:56 MDT 2022

I don’t know about the other model registries, but the BJ8 Registry has always tried to document what could be known about the continuous ownership history of a car.  It was easier to do that in the days before “privacy” became such an obsession and existing sources for lists of cars and owners dried up.  I was able to obtain such lists from Healey clubs around the world 20 years ago, but most no longer even publish them.  Also obtained historical DMV lists from various sources in various states.  Cars sold through dealers lose a lot of that knowledge because dealers are reluctant to reveal from whom they bought and to whom they sold.  

I can’t imagine that any Healey owner would object to being contacted by a former or later owner of their car for more info about their time with it, but unless it is documented someplace, how will they ever know about or find you?

I also encourage anyone considering buying a BJ8 to check with me before putting their money down.  There are a ton of cars out there now, including those restored by big-name, high dollar restorers, that no longer wear the same identity they had when they left the factory.  If that is important to a buyer, then they should know whatever is known about the car before putting their money down.  Like the guy who bought a BJ8 with a VIN plate that said one thing, and a number on the shock tower that said another.  He took it back to the restorer, who (without request or authorization)  ground the original number off the shock tower!

Caveat emptor!

Steve Byers

HBJ8L/36666

BJ8 Registry

AHCA Delegate at Large

Havelock, NC

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bob Spidell
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2022 11:07 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] [O/T] Beverly Hills Car Club

"... BHCC did exactly what I feared they would do:  quit advertising the VINs ..."

Doesn't speak well for the company. It also means buyers of used cars would do well to get the VIN for a car before laying down the cash. I don't know if LE reports the VIN of stolen cars to the DMV, but it seems like an easy way to cut down on car theft. But, from what I hear, 'desirable' cars--Camrys, Priuses, etc.--are headed to a chop shop before the owner even knows it's gone. Exotics are on a boat to Russia.

CA used to provide the ownership records of cars for a small fee ($5 IIRC). My dad always kicked himself in the butt for not springing $5 for the provenance of his '65 Mustang, which was bought new by Alice Faye--old time singer/movie star; sold to 'Mrs. Phil Harris' (he did have the sales receipt)--before the DMV quit providing the service. These days, you can get at least some of a car's history from CarFax or similar.

On 8/8/2022 4:30 AM, BJ8Healeys via Healeys wrote:

Austin-Healeys are not mentioned in the story, but there is one particular one involved.

In 2006, a previous owner of HBJ8L/40136 sent me an inquiry into whether I had any record of the car.  I did not.  He said it had been stolen from him in 1970 and never recovered and he was searching for it.   I put the car into the BJ8 Registry with the note about its history and the contact info for the victim.  In 2012, I saw it come up for sale on BHCC and notified him.  

I requested that in his efforts to recover the car from BHCC that he not mention the BJ8 Registry or my name.  BHCC had been very accommodating to me with info about BJ8s they were offering up to that point, and I did not want them to quit advertising the VINs of the BJ8s they had for sale.  

He was successful in recovering the car, and BHCC did exactly what I feared they would do:  quit advertising the VINs.

Steve Byers

HBJ8L/36666

BJ8 Registry

AHCA Delegate at Large

Havelock, NC   USA

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Ray Juncal via Healeys
Sent: Sunday, August 7, 2022 8:12 PM
To: Bob Spidell; Richard Collins
Cc: Healeys
Subject: Re: [Healeys] [O/T] Beverly Hills Car Club

Funny thing, there was just an article in the front section of the Sunday L. A. Times news paper today. It was kinder than the Jalopnick piece but said be careful. 

I did a survey there for an Australian buyer a few years ago. They were very accommodating and put the car on a lift and I got a thorough look. The test ride was brief as the brakes were marginal and the engine was very rough. I did get through all the gears and a listen to the rear end. It was not a drive it home car. The car was destined for a complete restoration so matching numbers and frame and body condition were more important.. I didn't know the price he was quoted but I thought the buyer would get more for his money through one of the clubs. After the survey the buyer made the deal and BHCC arranged the shipping. I think he knew what he was getting and got what he expected.

NOTE: "Never buy a pig in a poke." You or a trusted advisor should take a hard look at a car before you make the deal. BHCC is just like the want adds or a used car lot sometimes good sometimes not. It's up to you to make sure what you are getting or no bitching later.

That's my.....

Inline image

http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=c16e98ca-641a-4324-8c9e-073cb3f400dc

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