Hooniverse Weekend Edition – Three Handsome British Sportscars; Truimph, Jensen Healey, and Lotus

To close out this Hooniverse Interesting Project Car Weekend, I thought I would have a three-way shootout. All three of these cars are running, and in above average condition. So why am I putting these cars in the “Project Car” category? Because they are British, and will need constant attention to keep them running. I also selected these three knights of the round table from different eras, so without any further interruptions I bring you a 1974 Jensen Healey Roadster, a 1980 Truimph TR-7 Roadster, and a 1991 Lotus Elan (which is also a roadster). Who are you going to vote for? Let’s start with the Jensen Healey. This is a 1974 model that looks to be in great shape, but we all know there is trouble lurking under the skin of this beast. According to the listing:

THIS IS A 1974 JENSEN HEALEY, 52000 ORIGINAL MILES, HAS THE LOTUS ENGINE DOHC 16 VALVE. I HAVE EVERY RECORD FOR THIS CAR SINCE NEW, ALL RECEIPTS, AND WORK ORDERS INCLUDING A COPY OF ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER. THIS IS A OLDER RESTORATION STILL IN VERY NICE SHAPE. THERE A COUPLE OF SMALL BLISTERS EASY TOUCH UP. BODY 8 OUT OF TEN. MECHANICALLY THIS CAR IS A 9 OUT OF TEN. INTERIOR IS A 9 OUT OF TEN. FLOOR HAS BEEN PROFESSIONALLY REDONE. THE TOP IS NEW. THIS CAR IS NOT THE ORIGINAL COLOR WAS ORANGE.

The seller states that this car doesn’t have a title, which could pose a problem. The opening bid for this Malaise Era Sports Car is $2,500, with a Buy-it-Now price of $3,500. The Jensen Healey is a rather rare car and there are not that many left. So, is this car calling out your name, or would you rather pass? See the listing here. Onto the Triumph TR-7, which is arguably the ugliest Triumph ever built. This is a 1980 which is the next to last year these cars were built. According to the listing:

RUST FREE 1980 Triumph TR-7 Convertible with the Original 4 Cylinder motor and 5 Spd Transmission Super Clean!!!! This is a Two owner TR-7 that has been very well maintained! This Triumph runs and goes down the road SUPER, Shifts great and EVERYTHING WORKS!!! The Body and Paint have held-up great, Interior is real Clean, Dash has No Cracks, Top is nice! 4 New tires, This Triumph has always been well Maintained!!!! Clear Title

Well with that many exclamation points (!) it’s hard not to get your attention. It may be a clean and fine running Truimph, but it will still be a project car. How many of these TR-7 are left anyway? The bidding has stalled at $3,050, with an unmet reserve, and with only two days left. Have you always wanted a Triumph TR-7? Then this is your car. See the listing here. Our final contestant is a contradiction. This is a 1991 Lotus Elan, powered by a Turbocharged Isuzu Engine, driving the front wheels. These cars were so unloved that very few of them are left. However, if I remember right, the Elan of this vintage was one of the best handling FWD platforms ever, and could rival many of the RWD sportscars of the same vintage. According to the listing:

1991 LOTUS ELAN TURBO CHARGED 4 CYL CONVERTIBLE WITH ONLY 22K MILES! VERY FEW OF THESE IMPORTED INTO THE USA, VERY GOOD RUNNING AND DRIVING CONDITION. This is a great example of a low mileage exotic car for a FANTASTIC deal. This car isn’t perfect by any means. An interior peice or two is missing, and the SRS light is on. It does run and drive fantastic, shifts exactly like it should, and has brand new tires! An Absolute bargain. Car was originally White, but it these look a lot better black! Black on Black with a Black top.

Grammer aside, you have to wonder why the car was repainted in the first place. This is by far the most expensive “Project Car” for the weekend, with a Buy-it-Now price of $8,950. Do you think you have what it takes to bring this Lotus to a Lotus Club Event? See the listing here. [poll id=”92″]