Vehicle Description
When Donald Healey built the very first "Healey Hundred" prototype
in 1952, he was taking a significant risk. The fate of the Donald
Healey Motor Company was riding on Donald's ability to impress
Leonard Lord, the head of the newly formed British Motor
Corporation, enough to allow the use of Austin's A90 running gear
for production. Healey's relationship with the American firm Nash
was not as fruitful as anyone had hoped, and supplies of Riley
engines for his Tickford and Abbott models were soon to dry up. But
Donald Healey was a gifted self-promoter as well as a talented
engineer. Healey's gamble paid off, and Leonard Lord fell in love
with the prototype show car, seeing it as the ideal opportunity
break into the American market and also to make amends for the
failed Austin A90 Atlantic. Jensen built the bodies for the new
Austin-Healey 100, shipping them to Austin's famed Longbridge plant
for final assembly and fitment of their tuned A90 drivetrains. The
Austin Healey became a tremendous success, thanks in large part to
Donald Healey's clever marketing in the sports car crazy North
American market, and use in Sports Car Club of America competition.
For the 1956 model year, the four-cylinder 100 was replaced with
the six-cylinder 100-6. For the new car, a tuned version of BMC's
2.6-liter C-Series inline-six was used, which it shared with the
Austin Westminster. With the addition of the torquey and powerful
six, the new "Big Healey" became a viable alternative to the exotic
and expensive Jaguar XK. In 1959, the Big Healey was upgraded again
with a 2.9-liter version of the inline six, given freshened styling
and a new name - 3000. The Austin Healey 3000 would continue to be
massively popular in the American market, with as many as 90% of
the cars built exported in some years. The Healey 3000 was
available in two basic roadster configurations: The two-seat BN7 or
the more popular 2+2 BT7. At the end of May 1961 the MkII model was
announced, which shared the same basic body as the MkI, but now
featured a trio of S.U. HS4 carbs and vastly improved
servo-assisted brakes. The MkII was the last pure roadster version
of the 3000 before the softer BJ7, and BJ8 models appeared. With
its triple carb engine and pretty proportions, the 3000 MkII is one
of the best of the breed and a favorite among drivers and
collectors alike. This 1962 Austin Healey 3000 MkII is a desirable
triple-carb example that was the subject of a complete, frame-up
restoration completed in 2006. According to the accompanying
Heritage Certificate, this car is a North American export model,
first delivered in early 1962 to a dealer in San Francisco. Options
included a heater, wire wheels, overdrive, an adjustable steering
column, and Roadspeed tires. The car was part of an East Coast
collection for many years, where it had been serviced and
maintained by Healey specialists Aventura Motors of Southampton,
New York. Presented in excellent condition, this 3000 is finished
in a lovely combination of black over cream body sides. The paint
quality is very good, with deep gloss on straight body panels, with
just one or two minor paint imperfections apparent on closer
inspection. The chrome is in similarly good condition all around,
with a mix of restored and original pieces. Bumpers have excellent
high-quality plating, while the grille and lamp bezels show some
very minor pitting but are otherwise quite attractive. The car is
nicely accessorized with a pair of Lucas Flamethrower fog lights,
tripod headlamps, and chrome knock-off wire wheels fitted with
Vredestein Sprint Classic radials. The interior is trimmed in
correct-style leatherette upholstery that accurately replicates the
texture and finish of the original. Black seats piped in white
complement the exterior, and the overall fit and finish are
excellent. The BT7 retains the classic roadster dash with its
simple upholstered fascia and silver-faced instruments. This car
keeps the original banjo steering wheel and shift knob for an
authentic feel, with the only modern concession being a set of
three-point seat belts with period-style chrome latches. The top
frame has been restored and is fitted with a correct, taut-fitting
black vinyl top. A pair of side screens is included, which stow
neatly in the boot when not in use. Austin's gutsy 2,912 c.c.
inline-six is in its finest form in the 3000 MkII. The engine feels
particularly sweet, with its triple carbs, 136 horsepower, and
ample torque. The engine in this car has been very well detailed,
finished in correct Healey Green and maintained in excellent
condition. The engine bay features period correct fabric wiring
loom, proper Tudor screen washer bottle, and correct style clamps
and fittings. Underbody detailing is also very impressive, showing
the level of care that went into the complete restoration and the
care it has enjoyed since then. This Austin Healey 3000 Mk II is a
fabulous all-around sports car that combines the robust and raw
appeal of the 100-6 with a more comfortable cabin and additional
power. This car's high-quality restoration and attractive
presentation make it a very appealing choice for events and club
rallies. It presents in excellent order and is sure to bring lots
of enjoyment to its next keeper.