Description

1962 Austin-Healey 3000 BT7 Mk II

A good solid car restored in the early '90s; well cared for since; from long term ownership; UK registered in 1991; wires; overdrive; hardtop; an eminently usable example on offer through lack of use

Launched to rave reviews in 1959, the 'Big Healey' has become perhaps the most iconic and sought after of all the hairy-chested British sportscars of the 1960s.

Particularly popular on the North American market, the Austin-Healey 3000 (MkI) introduced a number of improvements to the already successful 100-6. The change of model name heralded the more powerful 2,912cc BMC C-Series engine whose 124bhp propelled the car to a top speed of nearly 120mph with the 0-60 dash taking just 11.7 seconds.

Other improvements included front disc brakes, wire wheels as standard and a choice of either 2-seater (BN7) or 2+2 (BT7) body styles. Options included a detachable hardtop roof and overdrive transmission. The 3000 MkI remained in production until the arrival of the MkII with triple carburettors in 1961 by which time 13,650 had been sold, 10,825 of them in BT7 form and the vast majority in LHD to the booming US market.

Including this one, a LHD 2+2 BT7 MkII which left the works on 16^th February 1962 destined for Philadelphia. It was painted in Healey blue with blue trim and a blue hood. It was fitted with wire wheels, an overdrive and a heater – all confirmed by the BMIHT Heritage Certificate on file.

Its most recent American owner lived in Miami, Florida. He sold it to Carisma Cars in Surrey in 1989 who imported it and sold it to its first UK owner for £9,500.

He undertook a major restoration of the car, photos on file showing it comprehensively stripped to bare metal, repainted two-tone blue and white and reassembled. In 2003 it was sold to a new owner from Exeter who acquired it through a classic dealership in Paignton for £20,000.

In 2005 it had its overdrive rebuilt and bills from its initial restoration, and those from a the usual post-restoration fettling in 2005/6 are all included as is the ubiquitous Haynes manual.

It was subsequently purchased by our lady vendor in 2006 and has been much loved and well-cared for since, touring the highways and byways of Devon and Cornwall – as well as a couple of spirited ‘demonstration’ runs up Prescott…

It comes with a good hard top and an impressive radio unit (from its time in the US we believe), although we haven’t attempted to tune to ‘Kiss Country Miami’ so cannot report how functional it is…

A scan through the 17 old MOTs on file, the most recent from 2018 shows that the car has been used less and less of late and its owner has decided it needs more regular action to do it justice. Given where Healey values have gone over the last few years, it looks like a great opportunity to scratch that Healey itch at a very realistic guide price.

For more information  - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com