Vehicle Description
Donald Healey is one of the more colorful characters in the history
of the British motor industry. He was at various times a successful
garage owner, an accomplished rally driver, decorated WWI RAF
pilot, and all-around gifted self-promoter. Beginning in 1945,
Healey added full-fledged automobile manufacturer to his already
impressive resume. Before the war, Healey served as Technical
Director of Triumph, before moving to Humber where he spent much of
his time working on armored cars. While at Humber, he teamed up
with Ben Bowden and Sammy Sampietro to design a new sports car in
their off-hours. The chassis and bodies were designed by Bowden and
Sampietro, while Healey secured a deal with Riley to supply
2.4-liter, hemi-head four-cylinder engines. With its lightweight
coachwork by Elliott of Reading, the new Healey was the fastest
four-seater of the day, reaching 110 mph at Jebbeke, Belgium in
1947. When supplies of Riley engines dwindled, Donald Healey went
in search of a new partner; one that could far exceed his previous
production numbers. After a brief foray with Nash in America,
Healey took a bold move; building a prototype on a bespoke
box-section chassis, using standard Austin A90 running gear, which
he named the Healey Hundred. Healey showed the car at the London
Motor Show in 1952, hoping to impress the top brass at Austin,
hoping to land the partnership of a lifetime. Leonard Lord, then
head of the newly-formed BMC was impressed, and he saw it as the
perfect opportunity to break into the American market after the
failure of the Austin Atlantic. A deal was struck to build the new
Austin Healey 100 sports car at the famed Longbridge assembly plant
alongside the Austin A90, and one of Britain's most storied
sporting marques was born. The 100 saw incremental improvements in
the first few years, with the addition of the 2639 cc 6-cylinder
from the Austin A90 Westminster marking the first significant
change. The new engine gave a welcome boost in performance, putting
the new 100-6 in within striking distance of Jaguar's exotic,
twin-cam XK series and earning it the nickname "Big Healey." By
1959, the engine was enlarged to 2912 cc, and the model renamed to
3000. The final version of the beautiful Austin Healey 3000 range
was officially known as the MkIII, though it is commonly known by
its chassis prefix "BJ8." These models featured the more
comfortable interior of the MkII with a wraparound windscreen,
wind-up windows, and improved folding roof. Power increased from
130hp to 150hp thanks to larger SU HD8 carburetors and a high-lift
camshaft. Two versions of the BJ8 were made, with Phase I built
from February-May of 1964, and Phase II from May 1964-onward. Phase
II rode on a modified chassis to improve ground clearance, and a
few other minor changes were made. The last Phase II models
received separate indicator lights from March 1965 to the end of
production in 1967. Healey enthusiasts have long cherished the BJ8
series for its additional power and superior refinement while still
maintaining the muscular charm that makes the Austin-Healy 3000
such a legendary British sports car. We are pleased to offer this
outstanding Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 Phase II roadster; a superbly
restored and sensibly updated car from the final year of Big Healey
production. According to the Heritage Certificate, this is a
US-market car, dispatched from the Longbridge works on the 6th of
March, 1967. Originally British Racing Green over black upholstery
and top, this car came equipped with overdrive, wire wheels,
heater, adjustable steering column, Dunlop Roadspeed tires, and a
tonneau cover. Recently, this stunning Healey received a ground-up,
nut-and-bolt restoration by the respected marque specialists BRC of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A few well-considered upgrades were
made along the way to improve performance and drivability while
still retaining the classic, hard-edged Big Healey experience. The
attention to detail is quite impressive, with exquisite red paint
laid down on a beautifully straight and crisp body. The doors open
and shut with ease, pointing to a properly restored body shell.
Like the gorgeous paint, the brightwork is also superb. Accessories
include dual Lucas Flamethrower driving lamps, Lucas H4 headlamps,
72-spoke chrome knock-off wire wheels, and 185 HR15 Michelin XAS
radials. The gorgeous presentation continues when you open the
doors, revealing supple tan leather covering the seats, door cards,
and center console. The same beautiful leather repeats on the dash
top, rear seats and quarter panels, while black carpeting provides
a pleasing visual contrast. The front seats show just the slightest
signs of creasing from light use, yet overall the interior feels
remarkably fresh since the restoration. Correct Smiths dials and
original switchgear sit in a glossy burl wood dash. A classic
Moto-Lita three-spoke steering wheel sharpens up the steering feel
at speed and allows for easier ingress/egress. Finally, a new black
canvas hood keeps out the weather on less than perfect days, with a
matching tonneau and top boot. Under the bonnet sits the original,
numbers-matching inline-six. The bulky factory four-speed/overdrive
assembly was removed in favor of a 5-speed manual box that offers
direct, crisp shift feel and reliable operation. Other updates
include a high-torque starter motor and stainless steel exhaust
system, which enhances the addictive six-cylinder growl. The engine
bay is comprehensively detailed to show-quality standards, with
correct wiring, plumbing, and hardware. Factory-style decals and
labels are present, and the paint quality of the engine and
ancillaries is superb. This is one of the best driving
Austin-Healey 3000s we've had the pleasure to offer, with a tight
and well-sorted feel on the road. The addition of the 5-speed
gearbox makes the experience even more enjoyable, and the car feels
ready to tackle any rally or road tour with ease. This desirable
late-production Healey 3000 Offers welcome and trades considered