Dave Wyher says that he became interested in the automotive hobby very early on, explaining that cars have always fascinated him.

“When I walked to school, I would pass this Austin Healey Sprite every day,” he says. “It was a 1958 or ’59. It was a very small Bugeye Sprite. Less than 10 feet. And, I would say to myself: ‘Some day I’ll own a cool car like this.’”

And, by the time Dave graduated high school, in 1967, he came across another Healey. His friend’s father had purchased a brand new Austin Healey 3000, and he says that the speed and classic lines of the vehicle attracted him and drew his attention to that particular car.

Once again, Dave told himself that one day he would drive one, even though it seemed far-fetched, considering he drove the standard, run-of-the-mill 1958 Volkswagen at that time.

“The VW was the basic car,” explains Dave.  “It was my daily driver. I bought it for $295.00. It didn’t even have a gas gauge.”

But, after some time passed, and Dave graduated from college, he was able to invest some of his earnings into a special car.  He bought a 1965 Mercedes 230 SL and used the car for his regular transportation.

Unfortunately, he says that he was forced to sell that vehicle when “under duress.” 

Dave adds that after unwillingly selling the Mercedes, he never let go of the desire to replace that car; and, eventually he did scoop up a 1973 Mercedes 450 SL.  But, once again, that car was a daily driver.  Dave hadn’t delved into the “collector vehicle” hobby quite yet.

“Fast forward a lot of years—” continues Dave.  “In 2000 or 2001, most of my kids were out of college, and I really started looking at the car hobby.” 

It was then that Dave says he started looking for a Mercedes 280 SL to own as a collector item.  He states that it was tough finding one, and when he finally found the car he wanted, someone had already purchased it. 

Nevertheless, Dave was still looking to have this dream car. And, at one point, his old friend’s father’s Austin Healey popped back into his mind—the car that, at one point, he had wished that he could own one day.

Now, Dave was at a point where buying a Healey was very possible and could be less of a fantasy and more of a reality for him.  So, the hunt for a ’67 Austin Healey began.

And, soon enough, he stumbled across an ad for a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 that was being sold by classic car seller Harwood Enterprises, in Rochester, N.Y.

Dave hopped onto a plane and ventured into Upstate New York to check out the car, and he says that when he saw the Healey, it was everything for which he had hoped and imagined it would be.

“It was everything they had represented it to be,” he says. “It was in really nice condition.  So… I bought it.”

Now, Dave takes his prized Austin Healey to local car shows and enjoys the camaraderie of fellow classic car owners who appreciate the same thing that he does and who have the same level enthusiasm for the collector hobby.

Dave has attended the Buckingham Township Concours d’Elegance for a handful of years, winning four different times, at different levels. He won Best in Class at the most recent September 2007 event. 

Dave also brings his car to the Delaware Valley Triumph Club’s Brits are Back car show, held in Fort Washington, P.A.  The Healey has also won awards at that show, including First Place.  In addition to attending collector car shows each year, Dave is also a member of the Austin Healey Sports and Touring Club.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin