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Westley Member
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I have a problem. I bought 2 Jensen Healey's. I don't know which one to save and which one to cannabalize. They are both fairly complete. One has a 5 speed (this I know will end up in the car that is going to be on the road). I have seen the relative values of these cars all over the board. What would be considered more valuable? The earlier cars or the later cars. The earlier is 17347 (bought off of this site) and the other is JH5 19530. The earlier one is a solid 2 on a scale of 1-5 and the later one is a 1. Both need paint and engine work. I have not read enough to figure this out, but I would like to hear some feedback. Thanks for your time, Westley |
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Glen Member 
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I would consider the following factors: 1)condition of the floorboards are the main concerns with which body you select. These often have extensive rust under those carpets. Check for holes with the carpet and padding out. 2) condition of the hood. They can be exchanged, but might never quite fit properly as the cars were hand made. 3) Condition of the body. The front fenders can be swapped fairly easily, but the rears take some welding to trade. 4) If you want to exchange the transmission, you have to trade the driveline as well. 5) I would think the 19530 car with the 5 speed would be the most valuable from a collector's point of view. #19667 Last edited on 03-25-2005 07:35 am by Glen |
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Mark Rosenbaum Member 
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I concur with Glen's remarks. If you can't save both cars, I suggest that you defer the decision on which one to restore until you have the opportunity to carefully and thoroughly examine both chassis. Additionally, I suggest you also check the following: 1. The transverse brackets to which the seats mount are thin metal and can rust out even when the floor pans are still in good shape. 2. Dirt tends to collect between the chassis and (a) the bottom rear of the front fenders, and (b) the bottom front of the rear fenders. Pay close attention to the sills and the chassis sheet metal in these areas. 3. Check for cracks on the flat vertical and horizontal sheet metal near the rear of the transmission tunnel. 4. Check for cracks in the area where the engine damper attaches to the firewall. 5. Check for damage under the battery. |
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SportsRodder Member
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Another important place to check for rust is under the fuel tank as water seeps through the filler neck well and then saturates the pad under the fuel tank causing it and the floor to rust. |
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Westley Member
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Okay, I have done it again. I just bought a running car, but it has been painted (red over the original white). This one has been hit right rear. I looked at another one that was in dry storage the last 20+ years. Looks good, but was parked for engine problems. What have I done to myself. So far I have 3 cars 1) 19530 JH5, too far gone for me to deal with, 2) 17347 a nice white one that I found on this site, fair condition, but needs a complete engine overhaul and misc body work, 3) 13245 ok example that runs and has good oil pressure when hot and at idle, but the body has some issues. I have 3 cars, 2 of them 5 speeds. 1 good engine and 2 more or less parts engines. I think that if I could just find a nice body, that I did not have to put huge $$$ into I would be much better off. I can do anything mechanical or electrical, but paint and body are still a mystery to me. I think that I only need to buy 2 or 3 more to end up with what I am looking for. Parts anyone? At least now I can drive something. Westley |
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