Description
It is 1952 when Leonard Lord walks the trading floor of the Earls Court Motor Show before opening time. He stops at Donald Healey’s booth, who is presenting the ‘Donald Healey 100’ at the show. Lord is impressed and before the doors open to the public, Lord buys Healey’s rights. Together they present the Austin-Healey 100 that afternoon. And the rest is history, they say.
The adventure begins with the 100, fully designated as 100-4 BN-1. Admittedly, a little sexy name but the car makes up for everything. The design comes from Gerry Coker and is still regarded as one of the most successfully designed bodies available. After a few four-cylinder versions, the first six-cylinder came on the market in 1956, 2. 6 litres in size and originating from Austin Westminster. After two years the time has come, the Big Healey makes its appearance, the heavy boy. A 2. 9-litre BMC C-series six-cylinder that has a large number of enthusiasts. In 1962 the 3000 Mk3 BJ8 comes on the market, with a slightly modified dashboard and a different centre console. A modified camshaft and carburettor resulted in an increase in power, so the Big Healey is now 150 hp strong.
This beautiful, green 3000 Mk3 comes from 1966 and is in an amazing condition. Not surprising, the car was completely and very professionally restored. Photos of the restoration show that the restoration went considerably further than ‘just providing it with a new coat of paint’. You can guess the end result: a beautiful Big Healey in a beautiful color scheme and in a popular version.
The body is free of damage and the car has a beautiful shine. The color is nice and ‘full’ and gives the car the typical English look. Chrome work is beautiful, the bumpers, lighting parts, details and also the spoke wheels are in optimal condition. The car is said to be ‘comfortable on its wheels’ and the spotlights on the front bumper make the appearance extra sporty. Neatly maintained, neatly cared for, everything about this car shows that it has been cherished down to the last detail.
The interior was completely reupholstered at the time with a great sense of originality and with the use of beautiful materials. Beautiful and supple black leather that was renewed during the restoration, carpets that have suffered the same fate and a beautiful, largely wooden dashboard finishes it off. Beautiful rocker switches, perfectly functioning controls and beautiful Smith instruments give a very clear impression of the condition of the inside of this Mk3. Did we already mention that the black soft top is in optimal condition? Hereby! If the car is parked, there is also a black tonneau cover with the car to cover it neatly.
The Healey is not one that has only stood in a corner to be beautiful, the car has also been driven. And you will notice that when you set off with this car. The nice and bright six-cylinder hangs well on the gas and the Healey shifts excellently. The brakes are responsive and perfectly prepared for their task.
The technology of this 3000 is completely up to date and very well cared for. The engine compartment is very neat, with carburetors, cables, the block itself all looking excellent. The car is rock hard and rust is strange to the body and bottom. The combination of the relatively low car weight and the high power combined with the large swept volume make it a pleasure to be out and about with the Austin Healey. If we are going to drive this Austin Healey 3000 Mk3, it is already clear after a few kilometers why the enthusiasts of the brand love to look at this type. The engine is more than sufficiently powerful, the transmission shifts precisely and not too heavy, the brakes are well suited to their task and the chassis provides a lot of confidence in the handling. In short, even after almost 60 years it is still a pleasure to get into an Austin Healey of this type.
This Austin-Healey 3000 Mk3 BJ8 is one we like very much: a beautiful color scheme, the right engine and beautiful details such as the black leather and the wire wheels. The car comes with an original instruction booklet, restoration photos and the necessary documentation.
A driver’s car in top condition!
