Highlights
- Desirable 'Tri-Carb' model, also fitted with overdrive
- Long-term current ownership: sixteen years
- California import with original owner Title included
- Professionally restored by Sherwood Restorations
- Major engine reconditioning completed five years ago
- Removable hard top
The Appeal
The Austin Healey 3000 Mk2 BT7 'Tri-Carb' is among of the most desirable iterations of the "Big Healey" range, offering enhanced performance through its triple carburettor setup. This is the 2+2 model, ideal for those needing to accommodate rear passengers, while this example also boasts a removable hard top roof to complement the soft top and tonneau.
Like so many British sports cars of the era, our Healey began life in sunny California. The car was brought back to the UK in 1997, the previous owner had it for eleven years, and the vendor has owned it for the past sixteen.
The car underwent a professional restoration by the respected Sherwood Restorations, who also converted it to right-hand drive specification. Having spent its early life in the dry climate of California before being imported to the UK, this Healey has avoided the rust issues that plague many British classics. With just two recent long-term owners in its history and comprehensive mechanical refurbishment, this Austin Healey presents an opportunity to acquire a well-sorted example.
The vendor says:
"The Healey drives and holds the road perfectly. With a professionally fettled rally steering box (Bell Classics), handling is spot on. I have used the car on long journeys, both home and abroad, with full confidence in its performance. A real fun car to drive!"
Like so many British sports cars of the era, our Healey began life in sunny California. The car was brought back to the UK in 1997, the previous owner had it for eleven years, and the vendor has owned it for the past sixteen.
The car underwent a professional restoration by the respected Sherwood Restorations, who also converted it to right-hand drive specification. Having spent its early life in the dry climate of California before being imported to the UK, this Healey has avoided the rust issues that plague many British classics. With just two recent long-term owners in its history and comprehensive mechanical refurbishment, this Austin Healey presents an opportunity to acquire a well-sorted example.
The vendor says:
"The Healey drives and holds the road perfectly. With a professionally fettled rally steering box (Bell Classics), handling is spot on. I have used the car on long journeys, both home and abroad, with full confidence in its performance. A real fun car to drive!"
History and Paperwork
- Export market LHD car destined for the USA
- California import with all documentation including the original owner Title
- UK registered since April 1997
- Two former UK registered keepers according to DVLA data
- Owned by the current owner for sixteen years; eleven years with the previous keeper
- Restored and converted to right-hand drive by Sherwood Restorations
- Heritage Trust certificate included
- 10,480 miles indicated
- MOT certificates (18) from 1997-2022
- Exempt from MOT and road tax
The Condition
- Presents exceedingly well overall for a car of this age
- Well-preserved by the Californian climate
- Removable factory hardtop with new liner
- Complete with folding hood and tonneau
- Removable side windows renovated and in very good condition
- Minor rust spot on chrome bumper noted
- Painted wire wheels
- No apparent welding carried out on chassis, the vendor tells us
- New carpets fitted
- Seats in very good condition
- Original style seatbelts fitted in 2018
- Slight damage to stitching on one seat
- Dashboard lights all LED
- Fog & spot light switch fitted
The Mechanics
- 3,000cc straight-six with three carburettors
- Four-speed manual transmission with overdrive
- Major engine reconditioning completed in 2019
- New reconditioned gearbox fitted 10 years ago, overdrive reportedly functions well
- Starts and runs reliably
- No known faults
- Professionally modified rally steering box by Bell Classics
- Special coolant in the radiator
- All instruments are said to be working correctly
- Oil pressure apparently showing around 60psi from cold
- Electric radiator fan switch fitted on dash for use as override if needed
- 2020 LED bulb upgrade internally and externally
- Electric radiator fan installed
- Four new tyres fitted
- 2023 new exhaust system
- New clutch master cylinder
- New battery
Engine rebuild in 2019 included:
- Block honed and skimmed
- New shells, bearings and rally camshaft
- Crank polished and valves lapped in
- Crank, flywheel and clutch balanced
- Engine compartment resprayed
- Brake servo installed
- All three carburettors rebuilt
- Wiring loom wrapped
- All fixtures and fittings cleaned and replated.
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