1974 Jensen Healey – extensively modified
This JH was subject to extensive professional modification/enhancement in 2009/10. The then owner – a long time single seater racer – spent what must have been very significant sums to transform the performance and handling of the car ,which at that time, was low mileage standard car. However, the car was then left in storage unused until 2020 having covered less than 500 miles in its modified state.
Much of the work would suggest that the intended use was as a competition car, but the owner of the time says he had no clear intention to use it in competition, wished to retain it as road legal, and did not to fit a roll cage,
extinguisher systems or other obvious competition items.
Modifications include:
Bodyshell
Shell stripped & repainted from original white to black with large
bubble arches fitted and rear suspension turreted. Hardtop fitted.
Engine
Upgraded to a Lotus-Sunbeam derived 2.2 litre, dry sumped engine running on Weber Alpha ITB fuel injection. Engine believed to originally have been used in John Buffams works rally Gp4 Lotus Sunbeam.
Fitted with Pace dry sump system, vernier cam pullies but relatively mild spec camshafts resulting in 200bhp on the dyno. The engine uses late spec Esprit type cylinder head. Internal modificastions/ spec not known.
A fabricated , wrapped, exhaust manifold leads to a single pipe exhaust system. A Pipercross filter is fitted and all hoses are silicone or braided as appropriate
Transmission
A 5sp Toyota Supra gearbox (as used in late Eclat) is fitted.
The original rear axle is replaced by a rally spec Ford baby Atlas axle with LSD and alloy finned rear cover providing mounting for Watts Linkage.
The axle is located by 4 tubular trailing arms and long turreted coil over dampers
Suspension
Front suspension has been reworked with fabricated tubular top & bottom wishbones, compression struts & Leda 2.25”coil over dampers. Steering rack and trackrod position reworked to reduce bump steer.
Rear suspension is 6 linked axle with Watts linkage and turreted coil over dampers.
Brakes
Brakes are large vented discs at the front with 6 pot Wilwood alloy calipers & braided hose throughout. Rear is converted from original drums to feature drilled discs & lightweight alloy 2 pot calipers with
Large drilled discs.
Wheels
Image split rim 8x17 front & 10x 17 rears. Bolt pattern both front and rear has been converted to more popular Ford 108mm PCD. Tyres, though appearing as near new, are now 15 yrs old so would require replacement
Interior
Interior is more or less standard and will require refurbishment due to age and lack of use. Seats remain undamaged but leather rather dirty due to storage whilst door cards require refitting and window control mechanisms & locks require attention. A fabricated alloy fuel tank is fitted in the boot shaped to accompany a large dry sump oil tank fed forward to the oil pump with braided hose though the interior.
Decay due to storage
Whilst the car will start and run it has been unused for a long period so will require a degree of recommissioning – eg brake system inspection, fluid changes, lubrication and removal of surface corrosion. Though the body structure and panels are sound there are several areas where corrosion repair will be required. In particular the bottoms of both doors have some deterioration and the sill/floor joint area, on both sides, will need exploration and almost certainly some welded repair. A similar small area of the boot floor will need attention. The black paint work is largely undamaged and would revive with a clean & polish. The interior needs a degree of refurbishment though the basic components remain serviceable.
Documentation
Registered 1974 so eligible for registration in Historic Taxation class offering exemption from Road Tax, MOT Testing & Congestion & ULEZ charges. Comes with documentation file
Located Staffordshire
Any queries/further information please just ring 07703 162409 anytime. Messages on here or PMs are unlikely to be seen
This JH was subject to extensive professional modification/enhancement in 2009/10. The then owner – a long time single seater racer – spent what must have been very significant sums to transform the performance and handling of the car ,which at that time, was low mileage standard car. However, the car was then left in storage unused until 2020 having covered less than 500 miles in its modified state.
Much of the work would suggest that the intended use was as a competition car, but the owner of the time says he had no clear intention to use it in competition, wished to retain it as road legal, and did not to fit a roll cage,
extinguisher systems or other obvious competition items.
Modifications include:
Bodyshell
Shell stripped & repainted from original white to black with large
bubble arches fitted and rear suspension turreted. Hardtop fitted.
Engine
Upgraded to a Lotus-Sunbeam derived 2.2 litre, dry sumped engine running on Weber Alpha ITB fuel injection. Engine believed to originally have been used in John Buffams works rally Gp4 Lotus Sunbeam.
Fitted with Pace dry sump system, vernier cam pullies but relatively mild spec camshafts resulting in 200bhp on the dyno. The engine uses late spec Esprit type cylinder head. Internal modificastions/ spec not known.
A fabricated , wrapped, exhaust manifold leads to a single pipe exhaust system. A Pipercross filter is fitted and all hoses are silicone or braided as appropriate
Transmission
A 5sp Toyota Supra gearbox (as used in late Eclat) is fitted.
The original rear axle is replaced by a rally spec Ford baby Atlas axle with LSD and alloy finned rear cover providing mounting for Watts Linkage.
The axle is located by 4 tubular trailing arms and long turreted coil over dampers
Suspension
Front suspension has been reworked with fabricated tubular top & bottom wishbones, compression struts & Leda 2.25”coil over dampers. Steering rack and trackrod position reworked to reduce bump steer.
Rear suspension is 6 linked axle with Watts linkage and turreted coil over dampers.
Brakes
Brakes are large vented discs at the front with 6 pot Wilwood alloy calipers & braided hose throughout. Rear is converted from original drums to feature drilled discs & lightweight alloy 2 pot calipers with
Large drilled discs.
Wheels
Image split rim 8x17 front & 10x 17 rears. Bolt pattern both front and rear has been converted to more popular Ford 108mm PCD. Tyres, though appearing as near new, are now 15 yrs old so would require replacement
Interior
Interior is more or less standard and will require refurbishment due to age and lack of use. Seats remain undamaged but leather rather dirty due to storage whilst door cards require refitting and window control mechanisms & locks require attention. A fabricated alloy fuel tank is fitted in the boot shaped to accompany a large dry sump oil tank fed forward to the oil pump with braided hose though the interior.
Decay due to storage
Whilst the car will start and run it has been unused for a long period so will require a degree of recommissioning – eg brake system inspection, fluid changes, lubrication and removal of surface corrosion. Though the body structure and panels are sound there are several areas where corrosion repair will be required. In particular the bottoms of both doors have some deterioration and the sill/floor joint area, on both sides, will need exploration and almost certainly some welded repair. A similar small area of the boot floor will need attention. The black paint work is largely undamaged and would revive with a clean & polish. The interior needs a degree of refurbishment though the basic components remain serviceable.
Documentation
Registered 1974 so eligible for registration in Historic Taxation class offering exemption from Road Tax, MOT Testing & Congestion & ULEZ charges. Comes with documentation file
Located Staffordshire
Any queries/further information please just ring 07703 162409 anytime. Messages on here or PMs are unlikely to be seen
