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Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8

Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8

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Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8
Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8
Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8
Austin-Healey  3000 MKIII BJ8
Lot number 62
Hammer value N/S (est. £40,000 - £42,000)
Description Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8
Registration PNW 104C
Year 1965
Colour Red
Engine size 2,912 cc
Chassis No. HBJ8L27393
Engine No. 29K/RU/H2353

The final and the best development of the Austin Healey 100/3000 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. The MkIII now had even more power (150bhp) and a much more civilized interior compared to earlier models.

Known internally as the BJ8, the standard mechanical equipment now included a brake servo, bigger front brake discs, strengthened splined hubs and twin trailing arms for the rear suspension (in the slightly later MkIII Phase 2) which improved handling and gave the car much-needed extra ground clearance.

The extra power came courtesy of a new camshaft and uprated valve springs, breathing being further enhanced through a new exhaust system and twin 2” SU carburettors. The most obvious changes appeared inside, including a wood veneered dashboard, a centre console/gear surround and better seats. Production finally ceased in 1967, the original Frogeye based Austin-Healey Sprite MkV soldiering on as the sole representative of the marque until that too gave way to its MG-badged cousin in 1972.

This last-of-the-line MkIII Phase 2 was delivered new to the American market in 1965, returning to the UK from the dry state of Texas in 1990. Immediately on arrival it was treated to a thorough restoration by the Northern Healey Centre in Castleford, with bills on file for some £7,500. This included localised repairs to the largely rust-free bodywork, a full repaint in Colorado Red and conversion to right-hand drive.

The engine was fully rebuilt with a reground crank etc, as was the overdrive gearbox and a new clutch fitted. All other mechanical aspects were also thoroughly gone through with new parts fitted as required, including a stainless steel exhaust system, Mota-Lita steering wheel, new carpets and a set of new chrome wire wheels and tyres. The current owner, who acquired the car in 2010, has also retrimmed the seats in black leather and fitted new quarter-light gaskets.

The car has only covered some 4,200 miles since the engine was rebuilt, fully documented by an almost unbroken run of old MOTs back to 1994. Always garaged in the current ownership and never used in the wet, the car remains in very good condition throughout with good paint and excellent panel gaps all round. Regularly serviced with a good file of bills to prove, it is said to drive beautifully with an MOT until May 2015.

With Healey 3000 prices on a seemingly unstoppable upwards trajectory, if you have ever fancied owning one of these exhilarating machines then we would humbly suggest that you act now rather than kick yourself later for dithering!

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