Description
This beautifully presented RHD, matching numbers Ice Blue Austin Healey 3000 MKIII was built on the 2nd-3rd September 1964, despatched on the 15th September, and sold new in New York. The car was ordered from the factory with overdrive, wire wheels, miles-per-hour speedometer and laminated windscreen. DEY 647C was in the US until 2016 having spent many years with the President of a Global Oil Drilling Company in Texas who had the Healey rebuilt with no expense spared during the late 1990’s. This is no doubt a stunning example, but what is even more impressive is the way in which it drives and performs. This 3000 MKIII is incredibly quick, its ultra-responsive, and appears to have much more power the average 3000 we see. With its raspy exhaust note and responsive, light feel, this is the best Healy I have driven.
Invoices are on file detailing a substantial restoration during the 1990's with work carried out by a Texas classic car specialist. First of all, in 1994 the car was stripped down and the body lifted off the chassis. The chassis was acid dipped, and the body restored with various new panels. The Healey was then professionally re-painted, including the chassis and underside in Ice Blue and built back up with various new and renewed brightwork. The interior was fully re-trimmed in Dark Blue, the car was fitted with a new hood and the car detailed to an extremely high standard.
The original engine unit was stripped down and treated to new main and big end bearings, pistons, cam bearings, cam gear, crankshaft sprocket, timing chain tensioner, damper and oil seal. The cylinder head was converted to run and unleaded, and the engine treated to all the necessary machining work such as the re-grinding and polishing the crankshaft and new gaskets. The gearbox was stripped down and rebuilt, and a comprehensive file of extensive invoices detail a full mechanical overhaul with various new parts supplied by Hemphill's Healey Haven Ltd in Baltimore. By 1998 the four-year restoration was completed, and limited mileage was covered before the Healey arrived in the UK in 2016.
In September 2016 DEY 647C was sold to the last owner who was looking for an exceptional example that would prove to be reliable due to this being his first venture into classic car ownership. On initial purchase the Healey was booked in for a conversion to RHD and then later booked into Healey specialists JME for a thorough check over and any recommended work. JME carried out work to include a rear suspension polybush kit, rear shackle bushes, tie bar poly bush kit, steel braided brake hose kit, rear axle flexi hose, slave cylinder, clutch release fork gaiter, overdrive switch, new carburettor float lids, exhaust mountings, fuel gauge, new tyres and replacement service items. The last owner spent £12, 000 on the car and has enjoyed covering over 2000 miles in the car.
DEY 647C is a beautiful example with a lovely deep Ice Blue shine on a superb, straight bodyshell that has an outstanding underbody finish. Whilst the Healey was fully rebuilt in the late 1990's, we believe it has only covered in the region of 5000 miles since, and certainly the car presents as a restored car that has not had excessive use since. The brightwork is excellent including the chrome wires, the Blue leather trim has delightfully aged and the car has a gorgeous Dark Blue mohair hood. The engine bay is very well presented with beautifully painted bulkhead and inner wings, the boot compartment is also smart. On the road this 3000 MKIII is sensational delivering impressive performance and power. The engine runs perfectly with excellent oil pressure, the four speed gearbox is slick up and down the gearbox and the overdrive comes in and out smoothly. With its recently re-bushed suspension the road hold feels first class, and the car handles beautifully. On the road this is great fun, it's a strong useable example capable of long distance touring, regular use and will provide its next owner with so much driving pleasure and enjoyment - its original rebuilt engine is something special, it will not disappoint.
