Highlights
- High-quality restoration of the bodywork and paint after stripping the body in 2010.
- Very attractive presentation in OLD ENGLISH WHITE with a black interior.
- Same owner since 2010 (15 years) since its arrival in France from California.
- Engine rebuilt in the United States by a professional to enable lead-free fuel use.
- Interior, hood, 72-spoke chrome wheels, headlights, and aluminium fuel tank all new since 2010.
- Regular maintenance carried out by a marque specialist.
The appeal
The MkII 3000 is, for many, the pinnacle of the long evolution of the Big Healey because it preserves the original’s straightforward simplicity along with a few useful comforts. The result is an excellent modern touring car.
This BJ7 2+2 spent its life in the cosy climate of California before arriving in France in 2010. A complete restoration, metal and aluminium stripped bare, began the same year, covering a full bodywork renovation and the application of a high-quality paint that respects OLD ENGLISH WHITE, the vehicle’s original factory colour, as well as new black faux-leather upholstery in keeping with the original. The engine was also rebuilt and the car is fitted with immaculate 72-spoke chrome wheels, a new roof and a stainless steel fuel tank.
The seller acquired the car in 2010 and has clearly kept it in good order. It is an older restoration now, but you wouldn’t tell from the photos. He tells us he only uses it in dry weather and that it has been regularly serviced by a marque specialist. The result, according to him, is a car that “runs like clockwork,” with none of the overheating problems often associated with cars of this era.
If you want a very good MkII, very presentable, that has been properly maintained, then this car seems to be the one for you.
The seller states:
"I chose an Austin Healey for the marque’s reputation and its timeless design that turns heads wherever it goes. The Big Healey range (3,000cc six-cylinder engine) is a model of smoothness and ease compared with other four-cylinder English roadsters and smaller engines. The model shown here is a BJ7, undoubtedly the most desirable of the 3000 range. It is one of the most accomplished and modern versions without tipping into the modernist excesses of the BJ8, which is much more dull than the BJ7."
History and documents
- First registration in 1963
- Imported from California to France in 2010
- Fully restored in 2010, including bare-metal restoration and repainted
- Current owner for more than 15 years
- Comprehensive documentation available
- Photos and video of all restoration work
- Expertise valued at €82,000 by a professional expert in December 2020
- Regular maintenance by a marque specialist
- Registration document
- Various repair invoices as shown in the photos
- Always used in dry weather where possible
- Stored in a heated and insulated garage
L'état
- Bodywork stripped to bare metal in 2010 and repainted by professionals with a remarkable finish.
- Finish in OLD ENGLISH WHITE in line with the vehicle’s original factory colour according to the seller.
- The paint appears in very good condition, with a few light spots noted in the photos.
- Specifically, a crack and paint flaking on the threshold as shown in the photo.
- Healthy chassis and corrosion-free according to the seller
- Perfect panel and door alignment, verifiable in the photos.
- Original black interior refurbished in 2010
- Carpets, door panels, hood, seals, bumpers and headlamps renewed in 2010
- Dashboard described as “new” by the seller
- Original wooden and aluminium steering wheel
- 72-spoke chrome wheels replaced in 2012
- Spare wheel mounted with steel rim in the boot
- Boot fitted with a boot mat described as “new” by the seller.
- Cooper tyres of good quality mounted on all four wheels with good tread remaining.
- Everything is said to be functioning correctly
The quality of the previous restoration in 2010 is evident in the photos. The job involved stripping the car down. The flush door fit and uniform paint finish testify to the work done. There are a few minor spots to note in the photos, but nothing major.
The interior was redone in a black faux-leather to match the original. The door panels, carpets, and hood were renewed in 2010.
The car sits on good-quality Cooper tyres in good condition. The 72-spoke chrome wheels were fitted in 2012 and are in very good condition.
The mechanical
- Inline six-cylinder BMC C-series engine of 2,912 cc
- 4-speed manual gearbox with overdrive
- Engine rebuilt in the United States to be compatible with unleaded fuel (98 RON)
- Aluminium fuel tank fitted in 2011
- The engine runs well with steady idle and clean power when revved, according to the seller
- The seller notes a light oil seepage at rest as with all English cars of that era.
- Reliable cold and hot starting, we’re told
- Heating system in good working order
- Does not overheat, even in extreme temperatures, we’re told
- No additional electric cooling fan required, we’re told
- The seller indicates it’s suitable for long-distance driving
- Regularly serviced by a marque specialist
The six-cylinder inline BMC C-series engine is very reliable, but the trick when buying a 3000 is to ensure it runs correctly and has been properly serviced. If not, overheating and poor running can be hard to correct.
According to the seller, this car does not suffer from any of these issues. The engine is said to have been rebuilt before the car arrived in France. Subsequently, it has largely been in the current owner’s possession, who has clearly followed a rigorous maintenance regime. The car has been regularly serviced by a marque specialist and is said to run "like a clock". Even in very hot weather, the seller says, the car never overheats.
BEFORE BUYING
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