The car was purchased by my dad in 1958. I was 5 years old. By 1965, the 4-cyclinder had worn out, and it was suggested that a small V8 might be a fun way to go, and so it came to pass that a 260 Ford and a 4-speed were installed by Neanderthals who should still be in jail, BUT we didn’t know that at the time.

The car was lots of fun when it wasn't broken, which seemed to be a lot of the time. My dad loved the car, but was no mechanic. About the time he was ready to off it for $200, I sorta kinda started to fix cars, and so, I managed to intervene in the car's slide towards THE GREAT UNKNOWN.

About this time the 260 had worn out, and a reasonably fresh (2 yr Old) 289 was installed. Due to Ford bellhousing bolt pat­tern discrepancies, the 4 speed gave wav to an all-syncro 3 speed, but with the 4: 11, the car was always winding it brains out. It also had a nasty harmonic vibration, which turned out to be due to the fact that Neanderthals didn't know that although a 260 flywheel will bolt to a 289, it shouldn't, cause it isn't balanced for a 289.

Well, to make a long story less long, I finally realized that the only real cure would be to completely dis­mantle the car and pretend it had never had the V8 and start from zero. This turned into a 6 yr on/off project, culminating in my taking my pop out for a ride on March 25, 1991, which was his 66th, birthday. It's basically been a runner ever since, after having sat for 8 years while I worked up the courage to face the enor­mity of the project.

Unlike most V8 Healeys I've seen, the engine does not point downhill. This was no small deal. To get the engine proper (carb Mounting surface level, or close to it) necessitated chopping into the x-member so that the trans could lay down properly, and then boxing all the cuts. Ditto for shift linkage, throwout fork, and starter/bellhousing clearances. I completely rewired the car from scratch, front to back.

The dash is stock, the original turn signals work, there's virtually no visible underhood wiring. Stock steer­ing (rebuilt box) works GREAT. It's essentially a stock Healey with a V8 motor. No fender flares, etc. My dad always liked the "sleeper" effect. Other than dual exhaust & 72 spoke Aston­Martin rims on the back, most folks have not a clue.

It's got way too much mud in the front, from earlier a moral body work, but the '74 Cadillac Apollo yellow lacquer, applied in '74 still looks good. It's no show car, never will be, but loads of fun, and runs like a factory built it.

All during my years of redoing the car, I was always afraid I wouldn't get it done in time to take my dad out. He'd been diabetic his whole life and it was catching up with him. Fortunately, I was able to take him out a few times and put a big smile on his face. He finally passed on not quite 3 years ago. I drove the car to his funeral, and on the way, a large truck flung a rock into the windshield, which now has a crack on the passenger side. I will replace it, but, for some reason am not rushing to so.