Description
Austin Healey 3000 Mk1 BT7
This is a rare opportunity to buy an unrestored, very low mileage, fantastic driving 1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mk 1 BT7, that has been owned by one family since 1961 and is now available on the open market for the first time. A numbers-matching car with meticulous mechanical upkeep, original buff logbook and invoices for over £25000 on maintenance and period upgrades over the last 15 years. Supplied new with overdrive and Works hardtop. Much work carried out by the Healey specialists, Orchard Restorations, who noted in road tests how it‘drives exceptionally well’.
There are many invoices for work and upgrades in the history file, too numerous to list, with some of the more important/ interesting ones listed below.
Rebuilt engine including fast road cam, lead-free cylinder head, lightweight fan, 2016 Orchard Restorations.
Rebuilt gearbox with change of ratios to ‘Sebring’ spec, rebuilt overdrive many new parts- accumulator piston, cone clutch, bearings etc, reconditioned radiator, heavy duty clutch kit fitted, 2013 Orchard Restorations.
Electronic ignition
Silicone water hoses
Mitsuba water pump
Aeroquip brake hoses, 4 pot front callipers, new servo, master cylinder brake/ clutch, new discs
Carburettors rebuilt by Southern Carburettors
Panhard rod [rear anti-roll] and upgraded roll bar.
Replacement period correct seat belts fitted by Quickfit Safety Belt Service.
New rear springs with uprated rear shock absorbers. Retro-trip distance meter fitted and calibrated, Cobra seats trimmed red with red piping. [2012]
6 branch manifold with big bore exhaust, alloy rocker cover.
Rebuilt and strengthened front suspension [as per works cars].
Alternator kit and negative earth.
There are many more invoices detailing regular servicing and upkeep etc. The car has an interesting history;
The first registered owner in the original buff logbook is the Donald Healey Motor Co. Ltd, on 21st January 1960. It was purchased soon after from the Donald Healey Works by Colonel J. L. Mason of the 3rd American Airforce based at South Ruislip. It was supplied in left hand drive for export to his United States home when his UK service was over. It was looked after and serviced by our engineer grandfather, Herbert William Parr [Jim], at his garage W. F. Parr and Sons in Harrow Weald. When Mason was unexpectedly posted to Germany in April 1961, he cancelled the planned export back to the USA and instead sold it to H. W. Parr [all noted in the buff logbook]. At this point it was sent back to the works to be converted to right hand drive, and Jim also requested they fit the MK 2 grill to update its appearance. The Healey was used regularly in the early to mid 1960’s, the mileage remaining low as it was part of an extensive collection of vehicles. He progressed onto driving one of the first Porsche 911 turbos as his daily driver, and the Healey was put into semi-retirement. The original registration HH93NX was subsequently replaced with the current registration ESV779 in 1984, when the mileage had reached 20099. From this period until 2006, it again saw extremely light use, backed up by MOT records 1984, 1992-2002. ESV was passed to Jim’s son in this time, and then to his son-in-law, in 2004. At that point it was judged that a thorough recommissioning was needed, and this was achieved over the following years including numerous sympathetic upgrades to produce a very well sorted car, set up for reliable classic touring. By 2006 mileage was at 22210 and this steadily grew each year to 45177 miles by 2018, backed up by MOT’s.
The original steel wheels, hubcaps and seats are all included in the sale. The rare works hardtop is in good original condition and is an excellent addition to the folding soft top [great condition] and tonneau cover. We have various interesting photos of ESV over our years of ownership.
Oil and filter as well as ignition leads and distributor cap were replaced recently at 46426 miles.
ESV779 has been a part of the family for 65 years and it is now time to let her go.
In summary an uprated but unrestored Healey, that drives extremely well for its type and age.
