1961 Austin Healey 3000 Mk1 BN7 2-Seater

• Wimbledon Motor Co. supplied on 17/01/1961
• BN7 Two-seat Roadster, one of the more rare and desirable Big Healeys
• Total chassis up restoration with minimal use since
• Mechanically enhanced, including balanced engine, triple Webers, uprated cooling and rebuilt centre-change gearbox with overdrive
• Superb panel fit and attention to detail throughout
• Rebuilt to be used and enjoyed as Donald Healey intended
• Your earliest inspection is encouraged and welcomed

The Austin Healey 3000 became one of the best-known British classic cars of the 1950's and 1960's following spectacular success in international rallying and circuit racing. A development of the Austin Healey 100-6, itself born of the four-cylinder 100, the 3000 was launched in March 1959 and was a significant improvement on the earlier cars featuring front disc brakes, wire wheels as standard and a more powerful (124bhp) 2,912cc BMC C-Series engine, enabling a top speed of approximately 120mph. There was also a choice of 2-seater (BN7) or 2+2 (BT7) body styles and this choice continued with the arrival of the Mk2 in March 1961.

This stunning example dates from early 1961 and is one of only 17 right-hand drive, two-seat BN7s produced before the arrival of the MK2 in March. It is superbly finished in Gunmetal Grey over St. James Red, a fabulous colour combination that we all assumed was quite a recent creation, but which turns out to have been a factory option in period.

According to its BMIHT Certificate, the Healey was delivered new to Wimbledon Motor Works on January 17th 1961 but, unfortunately, the early history of the car is unknown until, in 1981, the 'Big Healey' was exported to the Netherlands. Thankfully it remained in right-hand drive and for the following 25 years, the car was owned by a Mr Cazemir until his passing, at which time the Healey was purchased by a Dutch restoration company. A full nut and bolt restoration was commenced by them with a stunning body refurbishment and full mechanical overhaul including some desirable tweaks within the engine compartment, involving triple Webers, forged pistons, high-lift camshaft, uprated water pump, enhanced cooling, rebuilt centre-change gearbox and overdrive, and I am sure, much more!

It was at this point that our vendor purchased the car which, for some reason, still required finishing. As a Dutchman living in the UK, he had the contacts to not only source the car in the first place but knew where to send the Healey for the finishing touches and so to Bill Rawles emporium it went. Here the car was finally prepared to the remarkable standard which it displays today. Series 3 brakes and a servo were fitted, as were performance inlet and exhaust manifolds. The interior was totally retrimmed, a new hood and tonneau cover were sourced, all the external brightwork was re-chromed or replaced, and the whole effect was enhanced by a set of new chrome wire wheels and a period-style wood-rimmed steering wheel. Now resplendent in its head-turning colour scheme with the performance to match, this Healey stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Having never been on the open market in the UK until now, this is an opportunity not to be missed and your early inspection is invited.