[Tomcomm]

In 1957 I bought a ’54 Healey 100 for $1600 and immediately replaced its engine/trany with the Olds engine/trany from the Plymouth. It was probably the world’s first big block Healey 100, 10 years before the Shelby 427ci Cobra!

In 1957 I also bought a ’56 265ci V8 Chevy 2 door hard top to replace the Olds Plymouth, since my 19 year old girlfriend Barbara didn’t like it. I pulled its 265ci /w power-glide, and replaced it with a 327ci/w turbo-hydro 3 speed. Big improvement, still got it.

In 1964 I installed a ’59 418ci Olds in the Healey, with modest body alterations, to resemble the 427ci Shelby Cobra. I then drove the “OldsHealey” to work until I retired it in about 1967. I parked it along side the garage in a covered lean-to.

In 1970 I bought a 400ci GTO off the dealer's showroom floor for $4500. It was to replace the '56 327ci Chevy/Turbo my 26 year old wife Judy was driving to work. I started to drive it to work instead of driving the '54 OldsHealey.

In 1980 Judy got a new BMW 320i Sports Coupe for $4500 to replace the GTO which had over 250k on it. I now use it as my local town-jalopy. In 2014 we got Judy a show quality ’86 BMW 635ci to replace her BMW 320i but was afraid to drive it in town. She got a 2004 Infinity SUV, drove it for 11 years and hated it. She now has a leased 2018 BMW X3 SUV. Got a $2000 allowance and left it in the BMW dealer’s parking lot!

We still have all six cars operational, ranch-housed in a detached dual 2 car garage plus a lean-to for my smaller Olds Healey and BMW 320i. In addition, we have a John Deer tractor, a Kawasaki all-terrain Mule and a gas powered golf cart all under the garage roof over hang. On occasion I will take the OldsHealey out on a deserted county road and run a timed 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds best……..There!