Page 25 - The Origin of the Species

THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES 25
Maserati Ghibli
Oesterle paid $16,000 for a 1967 Maserati Ghibli that needed everything and
then some, thinking it would be a fun restoration project. He gave the car to Hillinger
to restore, and Hillinger estimated the restoration would cost “under $200,000” and
would be done in two years. Five years later, Oesterle had been billed over $1 million for
the yet-to-be-anywhere-near-completed restoration. He gave up, retrieved the pieces and
sold the whole thing for $150,000 as an unfinished restoration project.
Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2
Oesterle’s previously restored BN2 had suffered minor damage to a door in a
collision. He sent the car to Healey Werks for repair. Hillinger recommended a complete
repaint as well as some minor mechanical repairs, which Oesterle authorized. Before
he knew it, the car had been fully restored and Healey Werks presented its invoice for
almost $300,000.
MGA Twin Cam
Oesterle’s MGA Twin Cam coupe was in significant disrepair, and he didn’t know
if it was worth restoring. He gave it to Healey Werks to strip the paint and assess the
situation. Without reporting back, Healey Werks started on a full restoration of the
MGA. Oesterle balked, ordered the work to stop, and picked up the pieces to take home.
They came with an invoice for just under $75,000.
Austin-Healey 100M and Healey Silverstone
Hillinger emailed Oesterle about how he had the opportunity to purchase two cars
SPL 224B (AHS 3804)
pictured at Healey Werks in
Lawton, Iowa in the 1990s.
(Author’s Collection)