Vehicle Description
1960 Austin Healey 3000 - Beautifully Restored - Same owner for 26
Years - 2900cc 6 Cylinder - 4 Speed Manual With Overdrive (Please
note: If you happen to be viewing this 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark
I on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's
possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this
vehicle due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the
more than 140 photographs, as well as a short
walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website:
GarageKeptMotors.) They ended up with the MG, they ended up with
the Triumph. But, truth be told, they coveted the Big Healey.
George Baxter, an Austin-Healey concours judge quoted in The
Handsome Healey, Hemmings Sports and Exotic, November 2014 George
Baxter went on to wax eloquent on the model's appeal: The Big
Healey does have a presence that many people respond to, which is
quite evident when we're out and about. It brings smiles and
comments from many onlookers, and invites conversation. Oh, and to
look down that long, beautiful bonnet and to hear that deep throaty
growl emanating from the twin tipped exhaust�€"it is arguably one
of the best notes in the car world. While Mr. Baxter may have been
a bit biased, there's no arguing that when it comes to classic
British sporting automobiles, the 3000 Mark I Big Healeys are among
the most highly prized. Low slung, long-hooded, wire-wheeled, and
narrow tired, these were cars as at home on the twisty English
backroads, as they were at Hollywood movie premiers.
Wind-in-your-hair driving is just so... British. Cared for by the
same owner for 26 years, the Austin-Healey 3000 Mark I offered here
is a stellar example of a lovingly maintained and recently restored
car. The comprehensive 2009 restoration work included a new Jule
Enterprises frame, a transmission rebuild, and balancing and
blueprinting the engine. The Healey now displays in collector-grade
condition. The exterior finish on the car's iconic silver paint,
characteristic horizontal-slat chrome front grille, original
engine, and wire wheels (with center knock-off spinners) all
reflect the care given the car over 88,000 miles and 60 years
(fewer than 1,500 miles per year on average). The same is true for
the brightwork, emblems, headlights and auxiliary driving lights
and lenses. Front-bumper-mounted emblems of a historical nature are
an added plus. The dark blue fabric top is without flaws, as is the
undercarriage, which is, in fact, spotless. In similar fashion, the
engine bay is concours-ready showcasing what can only be called a
work of automotive art. Inside, the light patina of use on the navy
blue leather seats evokes thoughts of past drives on twisty roads
through autumn landscapes. Interior deep blue carpeting (including
on the spare-tire cover) and leather door trim is all nicely kept.
The full complement of Smiths gauges (with added period auxiliary
Smiths voltmeter, amperage gauge, and VDO vacuum-pressure gauge),
Smiths heater, overdrive switch, iconic steering wheel,
floor-tunnel-mounted four-speed shifter, and dashboard expanse
retain their classic originality. An assortment of spares including
the fixed side windows, as well the original owner's manual and
substantial documentation accompany the car. We expect and invite
in-person inspection of this beautiful Big Healey. We ask only that
you call or email us for an appointment in advance so that we can
devote our full attention to you during your visit. Meanwhile, the
more than 140 high-definition photographs of the car and the short
walk-around-and-startup video on the GarageKeptMotors site
faithfully represent the car's condition, but feel free to call or
email with any questions. One final bit from Mr. Baxter captures
the intangible, but significant joy of owning this fine automobile:
The Healey gives (us) the opportunity to be transported to a
simpler place and time and allows us to forget the daily stresses
of our modern world. Y