2016 Healy Enigma V8

‘EN16 MAR’ – and yes, the private registration will be staying with the car – was the first V8-engined Enigma ever sold.

The previous owner bought it new, paying £37,000 for the privilege back in 2016, which would have bought him a very nice genuine Healey.

However, a classic Healey wouldn’t go half as well as an Enigma, nor handle as sweetly. Stopping would be a more protracted affair too, and the build quality wouldn’t come close.

With its main mechanical components coming from a Mk 3 Mazda MX5, the real star of the show is surely the four-litre, 300bhp V8 engine and four-speed automatic gearbox donated by a Lexus LS400.

Given how common the donor cars are this is the point we’d usually point out how plentiful parts will be – but then given that the MX-5 and LS400 are also two of the most reliable cars ever built, you’re unlikely to need them.

A downchange is never more than toe-flex away either, and if one gear is one too few then flex your whole ankle and it’ll kickdown two. Floor the pedal completely and you’ll summon Beelzebub and his orchestra of demons.

The auto ‘box also means effortless inter-continental touring, not that this one has ever travelled that far; with an odometer reading of fewer than 3,000 miles, it’s got decades of life left in it yet.

But practicality be damned: Just look at it! Finished in Aston Martin Casino Royale Grey with a black quilted leather interior, the seller bought it from us back in November 2021 to add to his collection. He likens it to “a mini-Aston Martin but without the running costs!” and has covered an average of just 300 miles a year since.

Sadly, ill-health forces this reluctant sale – and before the more cynical among you accuse us of hyperbole and cliché, it’s the last of his cars to be sold and he has hung on to it for as long as possible.

Finished in Aston Martin Casino Royale Grey, the Enigma makes quite the impression, doesn’t it – and while the colour helps, it’s the fit ‘n’ finish that really impresses.

Because we’re all used to seeing kit cars that look like, well, kit cars. This one was professionally assembled from the Healy Designs kit, which is one of the best we’ve come across; we’ve sold more than a few of these over the past few years and every single one has impressed us.

Admire the tight and consistent shutlines. The ripple-free flanks, and the absence of dents, dinks, and cracks, and, of course, given the bodywork is made from GRP, rust isn’t something you will ever need to worry about.

Apart from the few times it’s been wheeled out – dry days and high days only – this one’s been kept carefully tucked away in the seller’s garage. Wheeled out and pampered every now and then too, if the shine is anything to go by.

The lamp lenses, badges, and glazing are all as good now as they’ve ever been and even the twin exhaust tailpipes are perfectly aligned.

As is the fabric roof, which seals tightly when it is up and tucks away neatly when it is down. Fitted new when the car was built – it wasn’t taken from a donor – there are no rips, tears, or even marks to the fabric.

It’s also got a glass rear screen and demister element, something that helps make the Enigma a true all-season sportscar for the brave of heart.

The hood frame is in good order too, and furls and unfurls with uncommon ease thanks to the Mazda MX-5’s one-latch design. A wind deflector is fitted for ruffle-free driving when the roof is folded down.

The 18-inch PDW alloy wheels are free of scuffs, scrapes and other kerbing damage. They’ve got good centre caps too, and rust-free bolts, and the tyres are matching 215/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza. All have good tread, although you should think about replacing them as they were made in 2013 and 2015.

Nonetheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for flaws, we spotted a very few stonechips to the front end, a few swirls on the bonnet, a small area of paint loss on the trailing edge of the driver’s door, and a boot lid that’s a little hard to shut: Mind you, given the mileage, that might just be the boot seal hasn’t settled in properly yet.

The interior is a modern design with the odd nod to the car’s classic inspiration. Recognisably MX-5, which is no bad thing, it’s ergonomic, reliable, and durable.

As we mentioned, Healy Designs tweaked the cabin to give a bit more headroom and interior space, and the founder suggests that even drivers as tall as 6’ 4” will be able to drive an Enigma in comfort.

The heated seats are a quilted black leather with contrasting white stitching. Comfortable and supportive, their manual controls mean you’ll never have to track down a fifteen-year-old with a laptop to get them working again.

They’re in a fine condition too, being still plump and free of even light creasing and cracking. In fact, if we were to tell you that they were a couple of years old instead of a decade, we think you’d believe us.

The door cards are finished in the same white-on-black quilted design, and they too are in a very good condition with no noticeable wear. The windows rise and fall at the touch of a button, and the doors even accommodate a cupholder apiece.

Getting the Lexus V8 engine to talk to the Mazda’s electrical system presented a challenge that could only be resolved with the installation of the natty digital instruments you see here. Referred to internally as “the Space Shuttle design”, they sit in a carbonfibre dashboard, with the same material having been used round the gearlever and for an auxiliary instrument binnacle on top of the dashboard.

A double-din Philips headunit offers Bluetooth connectivity and a DVD player, and front parking sensors and a reversing camera are fitted.

There’s air-conditioning too, plus plenty of internal storage space in addition to a good-sized and well-trimmed boot; the Enigma would make a fine long-distance touring car.

Cosmetic blemishes are few: There is a small bubble to the gearlever surround, and the passenger headrest is discoloured.

Everything we tested worked as it should, but then that’s hardly a surprise given the donor vehicles used and the quality of the curation.

Now, you might be worried about the state of the donor components; after all, it would be easy to hide tired mechanicals under fresh paint.

Fret not though, because:

· The rolling chassis was supplied new by Healy Designs. The firm also supplied the GRP body to Automotive Creations Limited (ACL) for final assembly. Manufactured status declared as new.

· The front and rear axle assembly, upper and lower wishbones and all other moving parts were refurbished, including new rubber bushes. Manufactured status declared as new.

· The transmission, propshaft, PTP support shaft, limited-slip differential, and halfshafts were refurbished and installed with new rubber mounts. Manufactured status declared as new.

· The steering assembly, which includes power-steering, was installed with new rubber and copper pipework, clips, extension tubes for the ball joints, and knuckle joints. Manufactured status declared as new.

· The front and rear suspension was upgraded and includes coilovers featuring Bilstein dampers, uprated ventilated front and rear discs and calipers, and new copper brake pipes and clips. Manufactured status declared as new.

· Finally, the Lexus 3969cc V8, engine number 1UZ0559703 and four-speed automatic gearbox was declared as ‘factory rebuilt’.

World-class reliability is clearly hardwired in its DNA.

Our test drive revealed a car that drives exactly as you’d expect; it’ll potter quietly, but all hell breaks loose when you’re in the mood for fun. The seller confirms it’s lived up to its reputation for reliability and hasn’t needed anything other than routine servicing during his ownership (a new sump pan was fitted under warranty in 2020) and, as you can see from the bills, that didn’t break the bank.

The engine bay is probably the weakest part of the package. Not in its mechanical condition, we hasten to add, but in the way it looks, and we can see the new owner will probably want to tidy it up by repainting some of the components, de-rusting some of the brackets, and refreshing some of the fasteners and minor fittings.

The underside is well protected though, and very solid. The underseal has peeled away in a few places, so it would be prudent to get that sorted out sooner rather than later, but no MoT tester has ever had cause to mention rust or structural corrosion.

But then the Enigma’s MoT history is stellar: Its current certificate is valid until March 2027 and was issued with no advisories, which is impressive in its own right.

And then you learn that the only two advisories it has ever had are for having a nail in a tyre and undertrays fitted, you’ll appreciate just how well maintained this one is.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes the old MoT certificates, a V5 Registration Certificate in the seller’s name, receipts for servicing, and an album of the build including declarations regarding the components used.

With a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000, the Enigma offers classic looks alongside uber-modern performance and handling and rock-solid reliability.

Which makes it a bit of a unicorn.

You could be forgiven for wondering whether that combination means it’s a bit dull-but-worthy, can we reassure you that nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, we’d suggest approaching it with a degree of caution initially; with around 200bhp per tonne, it would be easy to stray into licence-losing territory in the blink of an eye.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.