The last big Healey off the production line according to Austin-Healey themselves
The Appeal
This was the final and most refined evolution of the legendary "Big Healey" - a muscular, charismatic British roadster powered by a lusty three-litre straight-six that has become one of the most sought-after classic sports cars on the market. Values have risen sharply in recent years, and for good reason: few cars of the era combine such effortless presence with genuine driving enjoyment.
Chassis number 43025 is claimed to be the very last Austin-Healey 3000 to leave the production line, and it was first registered to the Donald Healey Motor Company itself in November 1967. It is a matching numbers car, confirmed by its Heritage Certificate, and has had just two former registered keepers - the second of whom owned it for a remarkable 45 years from 1972 to 2017.
Prior to changing hands in 2017, the car was treated to a bare metal restoration and resprayed in Golden Beige Metallic, replacing its earlier red livery. The vendor describes the car as being in very good condition throughout, with a smart black 2+2 interior featuring re-trimmed seats, new carpets and a Moto-Lita steering wheel complementing the walnut dashboard facia. Mechanically, the overdrive unit has been recently rebuilt, and the car is reported to drive well.
This is a particularly hot piece of property, having been covered by the press when it first came to market with Car & Classic in 2017. It's since changed owners a couple of times, and has been with the vendor since 2023. We have little doubt that the next keeper will be very proud to take part in its story. bhUouAuDW0XuvVEhEbd6rrwBTwyuGm2JJwWs0B7d.jpg466.2 KB
The History and Paperwork
Chassis number 43025 is claimed to be the very last Austin-Healey 3000 to leave the production line
First registered in the United Kingdom on 23rd November 1967 to the Donald Healey Motor Company
Two former registered keepers; second owner from 1972 to 2017, previous owner from 2017 to 2023
Current keeper since July 2023
Classified as a Historic Vehicle — MOT and road tax exempt
Matching numbers confirmed by Heritage Certificate
Smart period black 2+2 interior with re-trimmed seats, new seat covers, new carpets and mats
Wooden Moto-Lita classic steering wheel and walnut dashboard facia
All instruments and switches reported to work as they should; only the horn is not currently working
Bare metal respray in Golden Beige Metallic carried out as part of a restoration in 2017
The vendor describes the car as being in very good condition throughout
New chrome wire wheels with spinners and new tyres recently fitted
Black hood that fits well
Front-mounted spotlights and vintage Austin-Healey Club badge bar
External trim and chrome reported to be in good order
Clean and dry boot area with spare wire wheel and tools
Nicely detailed and clean engine bay
Used sparingly and always garaged during current ownership
The paintwork has a deep shine and depth to it, and the brand-new chrome wire wheels and all-around excellent chrome make it look great from all angles.
The hood fits well, though this is not a car that has seen much adverse weather, and other than some minor surface corrosion around the wheel arch edges and the odd small perfection in the paint there is very little to report.
New wire wheels and tyres were fitted in recent years, and there are front-mounted spotlights and a vintage Austin-Healey Club badge to complete the car's period appearance.
Inside is a well-presented, fairly luxurious, and comfortable cockpit with few signs of its true age. Recently, the seats have had new seat covers, and there are new carpets and mats throughout.
Door cards have a few scuffs that the vendor expects will polish out easily enough and all the instruments and switches work as they should, with only the horn reported to not be currently working.
The black sporty interior contrasts well with the colour of the bodywork and the wooden steering wheel finishes the whole classic look off perfectly.
Overdrive unit recently rebuilt and reported to work well
Servo-assisted disc brakes at the front with drums at the rear
Brakes, suspension and mechanicals attended to during the 2017 restoration
The brakes, suspension and mechanics were well taken care of during its thorough restoration, and in recent years, the overdrive unit has been rebuilt.
Very few miles have been done since the car's last oil and filter change 2 years ago, it also had the rear wheel brake cylinders replaced recently as they had began to seized up, likely due to the very limited miles driven. So there’s going to be very little to do to the car in the near future.
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