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Austin-Healey 3000 MkI

Austin-Healey 3000 MkI Austin-Healey 3000 MkI Austin-Healey 3000 MkI Austin-Healey 3000 MkI Austin-Healey 3000 MkI
Lot number 44
Hammer value N/S (est. £22,000 - £25,000)
Description Austin-Healey 3000 MkI
Registration RFO 509
Year 1960
Colour White/Red
Engine size 3,000 cc
Chassis No. H-BN 7/6497
Engine No. 29F/U/H2255

Big, butch and beautiful, the Austin-Healey 3000 is to many the quintessential classic British sportscar. Launched in March 1959, it quickly earned a reputation as a formidable rally machine, thundering to spectacular success on many international events of the 1960s. A development of the already successful 100/6, it used a simple but torsionally strong ladder frame chassis with Austin A90 independent coil spring/wishbone front suspension and a live leaf sprung rear axle located by Panhard rod.

It was fitted with the more powerful 2,912cc BMC C-Series engine which produced 124bhp and 167lb/ft of torque. Mated to a four-speed gearbox with optional overdrive, this endowed the car with a top speed of almost 120mph and a 0-60 time of just 11.4 seconds. Other improvements included front disc brakes and a choice of either two-seater (BN7) or 2+2 (BT7) body styles. The 3000 MkI remained in production until the arrival of the MkII in 1961.

First registered as KFA 894 in January 1960, this is a very rare BN7 two-seater MkI of which a mere 157 examples were produced in RHD for the home market. It has an old green logbook from 1971 with just one owner recorded which also shows that the engine was replaced in 1972 with a BJ7 unit which has been uprated to MkIII spec with 2-inch SU carbs. It has also gained an overdrive gearbox with a central change but retains the once standard but now rarely seen steel wheels – stronger and easier to maintain than the flashy wires which everyone seems to opt for these days!

In 1982 it was acquired by a consultant surgeon who embarked on a restoration which was completed by respected restorers Beaufort Restorations in the mid-1980s with new panels where necessary (see bills on file). At this point it became 9499 PJ as a result of a cherished transfer and later RFO 509 before being sold to Ireland in 1999 and registered in County Dublin as ZV 6395.

Enjoyed by two owners in the Republic it was repatriated in 2009 and reissued RFO 509 by the DVLA. It has been used sparingly but regularly in recent years and appears to have covered about 6,000 miles since 1987 according to the old MOT certificates. Currently taxed and with an MOT until the end of September, it comes with a black hood, tonneau cover, good sidescreens and a luggage rack. Altogether a rare Healey with the pleasing patina of an older restoration and a useful performance hike from the slightly later engine.
 

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