2016 Healy Enigma Mk 3

Finished in the wonderfully named Bentley St. James Red, this Healy Designs Enigma MK3 is still in the care of its first owner and is still showing fewer than 1,500 miles on the clock. He bought it as a ‘turn-key’ car direct from Healy Designs – and delivery took a little longer than usual because it looked so good the firm used it for publicity photos and as a show car.

It’s fitted with the sporty and reliable Mazda MX-5 two-litre engine, a powerplant that offers a beguiling combination of performance, reliability, and frugality. It also sports the optional electric folding hardtop, which is a brilliant design that offers its lucky new owner the best of all worlds.

Only for sale due to ill health and being offered with a sensible guide price, this is your chance to get behind the wheel of a cracking example of what is possibly the best retro-modern convertible on sale today.

The days when non-mainstream cars suffered appalling build quality and engineering are long gone, and no manufacturer demonstrates this better than Healy Designs.

The shutlines are neat and even, the paint has been applied beautifully, and the overall fit ‘n’ finish is beyond reproach. You can see why it was used as a show car, can’t you?

The light lenses are all clear and unmarked, as is the glazing. The badges are excellent too, and because it’s covered a such a miniscule mileage and has been so well cared for, it could be a year old rather than coming up to seven.

The only change to the standard specification is the installation of LED bulbs at the back to increase the car’s visibility.

Its quality makes for a dull advert but then that’s what you’d hope to read with a car like this, isn’t it?

The good news continues. The ten-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels aren’t only in an unmarked condition, they are fitted with a matching set of Bridgestone Potenza tyres – and having covered only 1,470 miles from new, they’ve got plenty of meat left on ‘em.

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. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The interior, which is black quilted leather with red stitching, is nothing short of magnificent. Sporting and comfortable and flawlessly ergonomic, it’s every bit as good as that of the Mazda MX-5 – only even better thanks to the extra space it provides.

Of course, given its limited use everything is still excellent. This means good leather, great door cards, unmarked carpets and overmats, and the sort of instruments and controls that speaks of a multi-billion-dollar R&D budget.

The choice of donor vehicle means it’s got parking proximity sensors too, plus a double-din headunit that offers a parking guide in addition to Bluetooth and satellite navigation.

There’s a wind deflector in there as well, which helps keep your hair under control at the sort of three-figure speeds the Enigma is capable of. There are no fewer than four cupholders too, which should make the morning Starbucks run somewhat easier.

It’s also air-conditioning, heated seats, and a powerful modern heater. Plus, airbags and a pair of bright red safety belts. Other extras include a smart dashcam and a tyre inflator.

It’s a far cry from the Austin-Healeys of old and, of course, everything works.

As for flaws, there are a few. But only a few. Some of the hard-plastic surfaces do have marks (e.g. #163, #167, and #172) but none are serious or especially obvious.

Martin Williamson of Healy Designs has confirmed the donor car was a 2009 Mazda MX-5 with under 15,000 miles on the clock. This establishes two things: firstly, that the donor car was well chosen; secondly, that you’re buying into a small and exclusive family whose aftercare extends beyond the initial purchase and help is just a call or email away.

As you would expect, it starts promptly, ticks over and revs well, and has a surprisingly sporty exhaust note. It’s got good oil pressure too, and no warning lights are illuminated on the dashboard.

The seller notes that it “handles like it’s on rails” and “it’s never let me down!” but then that’s what you get when your car’s mechanical components came from a low-mileage, well-maintained Japanese sportscar…

The engine bay is, obviously, clean and very well ordered. The underside is as good as everything else.

But then you’d guessed that, hadn’t you?

The owner maintained the Enigma’s record of being exhibited, displaying it at the NEC along with many other local events, even winning Best in Class at the Himley Hall show in 2019.

Despite expiring soon, the Enigma’s MoT certificate was gained, like every one before, with no advisories, so we wouldn’t worry too much about popping another on it.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the Healy comes with two keys.

Drawing considerable interest wherever it goes, the Healy Enigma represents a stunning opportunity to drive a classically-inspired modern car that benefits from the ease of servicing of one of the world’s most revered sportscars.

More capacious and comfortable than the MX-5, it offers a very different driving experience, one that is optimized for long-distance comfort and road-trip practicality This is a classic that demands nothing more of you than your modern daily driver.

With a guide price between £20,000 and £30,000, the lower end offers a savings of around half of what a new car would cost – and this one is also available now, which means you won’t have to wait months for yours to be built…

It’s with us here at our HQ near Abingdon, so why not make an appointment to come and see one of the most interesting convertibles to have passed through our hands this year?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.