Vehicle Description
Up for consideration at Saratoga Auto Museum Auction 2019 is what I
consider one of the nicest 1967 Austin Healey BJ8's in the
country.
The Austin-Healey was born from the Healey Hundred, first shown at
the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show. British Motor Industry legend Sir
Leonard Lord, soon convinced Healey that Austin should build the
car and thus gave birth to the Austin-Healey 100. The
Austin-Healey's design and appeal as a true British Sports Car,
resulted in strong sales across the globe in the late 1950's and
early 60's. Over time the design and drive train matured to the
6-cylinder Austin-Healey 3000, which featured a more comfortable
interior, improved braking, and suspension. 1967 would marque the
last production model year of the Austin-Healey 3000, the last of
the great "Big Healeys" and is considered by many to be the
pinnacle of the Austin-Healey brand.
This 1967 Austin Healey 3000 was first delivered in Europe as a
"Personal Export Delivery", most likely the first owner, a US
Soldier stationed in Europe. Personal Export Delivery is indicated
on the Certificate of Heritage. Sometime between January 1967 and
September 1969, the car was shipped back to the United States and
the soldier/owner in Ohio, first registered the car in the US in
1969. We purchased the car from that owner and have a copy of the
first 1969 Ohio title. This Healey was factory built as a black car
with red interior. We decided to change the color to Golden Beige
Metallic during restoration which is a true color for the 67 model
year Healeys. The red vinyl was also change to a more Maroon
Connolly leather. The mechanicals are all numbers matching and they
are indicated on the Certificate of Heritage.
The owner in Ohio drove the car regularly for a period of years,
and then decided in the early 1980's to perform mechanical rebuild
of the Engine and Transmission. Like many restorations, the idea
seemed good. While the mechanicals were out of the car, the owner
then decided to freshen up the interior. Most of the interior was
then pulled out. While the interior was out, it was then decided to
give the car a quick paint job. Well, you know how that goes.....
this project stalled and the car sat in the dry garage for a period
of about 25 years. Photo's verify a very comprehensive restoration
performed on this Austin Healey.
This 1967 Austin Healey 3000 was purchased from the previous owner
in Ohio in late 2015 and started a comprehensive nut and bolt
rotisserie, body off restoration by Knut Holzer, British
Restoration Corporation. Knut and his shop of experienced restorers
have restored upwards of 450 Austin Healeys and Jaguars over a
period of 30 years. In my opinion, this is the Premier Restoration
Shop in the Country for Healeys. All of the original body panels
were in good condition and used in the restoration. The engine and
transmission were rebuilt by a Machine shop in Pennsylvania that
specializes in British Cars. Engine was balanced and line bored.
Engine was built 20 over, with Performance cam. Engine was built to
be about 170 hp. HD8 cabs were rebuilt and polished. 2" Stainless
Steel Sport exhaust system (Europe), great sound. The stock starter
and oil filter housing both have been rebuilt and are on the car.
Original stock radiator was sent out and fitted with an additional
core for cooling. We also installed a thermostatic electric fan
installed before the radiator (hardly visible). The stock 4 speed
transmission with electric overdrive have been completely rebuilt
and operate flawlessly. Differential have been fully restored with
stock ring and pinion, bearings and seals. New front coils. Rebuilt
rear leaf springs. All brake and clutch hydraulics are new or
restored. Steering column has been rebuilt. Heater box restored,
pedal box restored. New horns, complete new wiring harness, all new
lights and housings. Lucas yellow 576 fog lights (need to be
wired), Lucas 24 hrs Lemans head lamps. Gauges rebuilt/restored by
Nisonger, New York. All new triple plated chrome (Europe). All new
glass, even the vent windows. New old stock Triplex Windshield.
Restored Convertible top frame. 5 New Dayton 72 spoke Wheels and
adapters. Tires are Vredestein 185 Sport Sprints. Tires and wheels
have been balanced by Hendricks speed shop ($800 balance). Carpet
Wool is light Maroon Wilton Wool. The full interior is light Maroon
Connolly leather. Seat belts are Maroon and period correct lap
belts. The Convertible top, Boot cover and full Toneau cover and
all Mohair and were manufactured in Europe. The paint is Glasurit,
German base/clear paint. All body panels, inside of the tub and
boot as well as the underside of the car has all been sprayed in
base and then clear coat. The paint on this car is flawless. The
fit of the body panels is remarkable. The body panels were fitted
probably 8 times throughout the restoration to ensure a great fit
and perfect gaps. There was no expense spared in this restoration
work. The total restoration efforts for this car exceed $100K. This
is a complete body off, Rotisserie restoration. Certificate of
Heritage will accompany the car to verify engine, chassis and Vin
to be numbers matching. There is also an extensive photo album to
document the level of restoration represented.
This Austin Healey 3000 was Shown/Judged at the 2017 British
Invasion Concours Show in Stowe Vermont. The car finished 1st place
in the "Concours Premier Group" and overall "Best in Show
Concours". The car has only been drives about 230 miles since the
restoration, and stored in a climate controlled garage. This car
should be considered a High #1 car.
