1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 with Louvered Aluminum Bonnet

   

1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 with Louvered Aluminum Bonnet

From Owner:

With timeless styling and brawny performance, the Austin Healey 3000 is the quintessential British sports car. It was born on the racetracks of Europe and perfected with each iteration. The Mark IIIs improvements gave it the distinction of being the most sophisticated and luxurious of the big Healeys. It surpassed its predecessors with standard features such as power-assisted brakes, complete protection from the weather, and a more refined driving spirit.

Even in stock trim this two-door convertibles 150hp treated its driver to a top speed in excess of 120mph! Restored in 1996 and kept in flawless condition since, this car is ready for top-down adventuring. The Black Horse Garage, renowned for meticulous work on exotics and British sports cars, performed all services. From the bare-metal respray to the walnut burl woodwork, each detail is fully documented. The panel gaps are even and straight, the leather interior is pristine, the re-chromed wire wheels run true, and the overdrive gearbox shifts smoothly.

A special louvered aluminum bonnet further sets this car apart from run-of-the-mill 3000s.

From Wikipedia:

The Austin-Healey 3000 is a British sports car built from 1959 to 1967, and is the best known of the 'big' Healey models. The car's bodywork was made by Jensen Motors, and the vehicles were assembled at the BMC Abingdon works.

The 3000 was a successful car which won its class in many European rallies in its heyday - and is still used in competition by enthusiasts today.

History

Mk I

The original Austin Healey 3000 had a 2912 cc (nearly 3 litres) I6 engine, with twin SU carburetors and Girling front disc brakes. It was only referred to as the Mark I after the Mark II was released, previously only being known as the 3000. Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, a laminated windscreen, a heater, an adjustable steering column, a detachable hard top and two tone paint were all available as options.

The original 3000 was built from March 1959 - March1961 and has model designation BT7 MkI (4 seat version) and BN7 MkI (2 seater).

13,650 were made (2,825 BN7 MkI, and 10,825 BT7 MkI).

A BT7 3000 with hardtop and overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 11.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.6 miles per imperial gallon (13.1 L/100 km; 18.0 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1326 including taxes.

MkII

Introduced in March 1961, the 3000 Mk II came with three SU HS4 carburettors and an improved camshaft, designated the BT7 MkII (4 seat version) and BN7 MkII (2 Seat version). However, upon the introduction of the BJ7 (2+2 seats) model in January 1962, the number of carburettors was reduced to two, (SU type HS6) due to the problems experienced with balancing three carburettors. As a result of the introduction of the BJ7, the BN7 MkII was discontinued in March 1962, and the BT7 MkII followed in June 1962. Externally, the main changes introduced with the BJ7 were a vertical barred front grille, wind up windows rather than side curtains, an improved hood, and a wrap-around windscreen. Optional extras were similar to the MkI, although the option of a factory hardtop was not available from the BJ7's introduction. From August 1961 a brake servo was also available as an optional extra, which greatly improved braking performance. The BJ7 was discontinued in October 1963 with the introduction of the 3000 MkIII.

A 3000 MkII BT7 with hardtop and overdrive tested by the British The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 112.9 mph (181.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.5 miles per imperial gallon (12.0 L/100 km; 19.6 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1362 including taxes.

11,564 were made (355 BN7 MkII, 5,096 BT7 MkII, and 6,113 BJ7).

MkIII

The 3000 Mk III was launched in October 1963, and remained in production until the end of 1967 when production of Austin-Healeys finally ceased. (One further car was built in March 1968.) Classified as the BJ8, the new model was the most powerful and luxurious of the big Healeys, with a walnut-veneer dash, wind up windows, and 150 hp (112 kW) engine. Improvements to the engine included a new camshaft and valve springs, and twin SU 2" HD8 carburettors, together with a new design of exhaust system. Servo-assisted brakes were now fitted as standard. Only 2+2 seat versions were made. Option extras were similar to those offered for the MkII, the main change being that the standard interior trim was now Ambla vinyl, with leather seats being added to the list of options.

In May 1964 the Phase II version of the MkIII was released, which had a modified rear chassis to allow rear ground clearance to be increased, and subsequently, in March 1965 the car also gained separate indicators.

17,712 were made.

Competition

Austin Healey 3000's have a long competition history, and raced at most major racing circuits around the world, including Sebring (USA), Le Mans (France), and Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst (Australia). The BMC competitions department successfully rallied the 3000 from its introduction, but the development of the works cars was effectively ended in 1965, mainly due to the success of the Mini Cooper 'S'.

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