Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8 Phase 2

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The final and the best development of the Big Healey range, the 3000 MkIII arrived in 1964, some 11 years after the first Healey 100 had been unveiled to a rapturous reception from press and public alike.

By now a thoroughly sorted sportscar with all the early niggles attended to, it was a better car in all respects than its charismatic predecessors. Known internally as the BJ8, the MkIII had even more power (150bhp) and a much more civilized interior compared to earlier models. Standard equipment now included a brake servo, bigger front brake discs, strengthened splined hubs and twin trailing arm rear suspension for the post-May 1964 Phase 2 which improved handling and gave the car much-needed extra ground clearance. Production finally ceased in late 1967 by which time some 17,712 MkIIIs had been produced, 90% of them being sold to the booming American market.

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this fabulous overdrive-equipped Healey is one of those export cars that was built in May 1966 before setting sail for New York later that month. It spent the next 29 years in America, eventually returning to these shores in the Spring of 1995 and being registered here as GVR 38D. It was then treated to a total nut-and-bolt restoration that took nine years to complete, being finally returned to the road in July 2004.

As you can see, the work has been carried out to the highest standard and the car looks superb in its British Racing Green over Old English White paintwork with a gorgeous beige leather interior and a black mohair hood. Converted to right-hand drive, the car has been finished to standard UK specification with the exception of bigger 6” ‘Cobra style’ wire wheels which fill the arches beautifully, a six-branch exhaust manifold, electronic distributor and Moto-Lita steering wheel.

Since the restoration was completed it has been sparingly used in fine weather only, attending many shows where we are told that it has scooped several awards. Our vendor acquired the car in 2013 and has enjoyed it immensely, covering almost 5,000 miles in his six-year tenure and having it looked after by Big Healey specialist, John Chatham Cars of Bristol, no expense being spared to keep it in peak mechanical condition. Indeed the vendor tells us that John Chatham himself has declared it to be one of the nicest road-going Healeys he has driven. While not in use the car has also been stored by JCC in their atmospherically controlled Chatham Vaults storage facility.

Supplied with an MOT until February 2020 with no advisories recorded, it also comes with 10 old MOTs, sundry invoices, two albums of restoration photos, V5C, Florida Certificate of Title, Heritage Certificate and handbook. As good underneath as it is up top, it is sure to give a huge amount of pleasure to its fortunate new owner.