The last time I test drove an Austin Healey was back in the early 1970's. It was a used Healey with a six cylinder engine. It had a rust hole the size of a quarter behind the rear window. Having said that, it was fun to drive. Great manual transmission but needed a heavy push on the clutch to shift the gears. Great exhaust and engine sound.
Yes very prone to rust so a thorough inspection underneath and above is needed. So I turned it down due rust and bought a 1958 Triumph TR3A instead. The latter lasted a couple of years before rust set in.
