This is a 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BT7 Open 2 2 that has such
an unusually high-quality restoration that Sports Car Market
described it as "Better than new without going over the top". This
Healey has a wonderful California provenance with three previous
owners from new and, of course, has matching numbers. Some of the
top British car restorers were involved in its restoration and it
needs nothing today to be enjoyed, whether for rallies, tours or
concours events. Sports Car Market reviewed this car after the
January 2012 Gooding & Co. auction where the present owner acquired
her. Their comments continued: "There are some cars at auction that
are so well restored that discussions of the condition become
pointless. This Austin-Healey is certainly one of them. Its paint,
interior, chrome and engine compartment are impeccable." This
Healey was built from the 11th through the 15th of January of 1960
and was dispatched to Portland, OR on the 4th of February 1960. It
was purchased new in Northern California by a gentleman who enjoyed
her for six years. In March of 1966, she was acquired by her second
owner who was a young engineer working on the American space
program. He drove her regularly until about 1971, having
accumulated about 44,000 miles. By 1971, his growing family
necessitated different automotive needs, so he stored her in a
garage for another 39 years! Her next owner, David Pennington from
Northern California, acquired her in 2005 and set out on a
comprehensive restoration that was completed in 2011.Her present
owner for the past 10 years acquired her at the Gooding & Co
auction and has enjoyed her on two Copperstate 1000 rallies. He has
maintained her to the highest standards, including a full engine
rebuild. The restoration was very thorough and the attention to
detail is spectacular. The paint and body were done by Igor Boun of
Citrus Heights, CA and the results are spectacular. The Black with
Red cove is classic and is complemented with chrome wire wheels.
The exterior is nearly perfect in every regard. The interior is
stunning in her red leather contrasted with black piping. The red
carpeting and the red leather wrapping the dashboard and door
panels looks just right. The combination of the red and black looks
better than we remember seeing it before. The execution of this
restoration truly sets it apart. The venerable 2,912 cc overhead
valve straight six-cylinder engine performs brilliantly producing
124 hp. It is the original numbers matching engine that has been
thoroughly rebuilt since its restoration. The documentation is
available for viewing. The four-speed transmission is enhanced by
its electronic overdrive, an original option from the factory. The
braking is from front discs. Included in the sale are the side
curtains, tonneau cover and car cover. We have this priced to sell.
The Hagerty Value for a No. 1 example is $96,900 and NADA has it at
$141,800. For more details and information, please call, text or
email Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or
[email protected]
This Healey is available for viewing at our Phoenix showroom.
