Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8 Phase 2

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The Austin Healey 3000 MkIII was the last iteration of the hugely successful six-cylinder BMC bruiser: 150bhp, 165lb ft of torque, 0-60mph in 9.8 seconds, and a top speed of over 120mph. No wonder the Americans liked them, and, subsequently, no wonder 90% of production went over there. This is one that came back.

This one came off the production line in November 1965 and was first registered in Dallas, Texas, in February the following year. Over the following 37 years the car had only two owners. The third owner was a Californian Healey enthusiast who, amongst other work, had the car repainted in it current British Racing Green (the Heritage Certificate with the car records that it was originally blue, with blue trim and hood).

During its time in California the car’s speedometer stuck at 13,222 miles and was replaced as soon as the owner could source and fit a new original stock item. There is correspondence and a photograph of the broken speedo which helps to explain the low mileage claimed for this car – a combined sum of 44,242 currently showing on the speedo plus the original 13,222 and a small amount covered whilst the speedo was faulty. Under 60,000 shall we say?

The car was entered in a number of Healey events in California, with some success, and has a number of awards to its credit. Our vendor – only the fourth owner – bought the car in San Diego in 2015 and shipped it back the following year.

Registered as OGU 578D, it passed its first UK MOT with no advisories in December 2016 and followed up with another clean pass in May 2018. The car has latterly been part of a private collection and has been used lightly: since its first MOT it has done only 40 miles in total.

The current owner has spent over £7,500 on this big Healey, including having it converted to right-hand-drive, and the photographs do not do justice to the car; the interior is particularly smart and the whole machine needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.

OGU 578D is in really lovely shape and comes with some desirable original features including wire wheels, heater, adjustable steering column overdrive and laminated windscreen. It is an extremely attractive package.

Truly classic styling, rugged construction and impressive performance make this Austin-Healey as appealing now as it was over 50 years ago. It is still a very useable car and one that will still provide a lot of entertainment for its next enthusiast owner.