1963 Austin Healey 3000 MarkII BJ7

The Austin Healey 3000 has become one of the best-known British classic cars of the 1950s and 1960s 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, ensuring a top speed of approximately 120mph. There was also a choice of 2 seater (BN7) or 2+2 (BT7) body styles. The new 3000 was an instant success on the road, on the track and on the rally stage and has enjoyed a large club following ever since.

The Mark II (BN7) was introduced in March 1961 with a higher performance camshaft and, initially, a trio of SU HS4 carburettors which turned out to be difficult to balance and were replaced with twin HS6s with the arrival of the BJ7 in January '62. Known as the 'Mark IIA', the BJ7 differed by having wind-up windows and a wrap-around windscreen and could be identified externally by a vertical barred front grill. A total of just over 6,000 BJ7s were built.

Amongst Big Healey aficionados, the Mk IIA is the one to have in terms of purity. The earlier 100/4s and 6s, whilst gorgeous to look at were a bit "agricultural" and are now becoming very expensive whilst the very late 3000s were being adorned with more and more creature comforts with a consequential increase in weight. As long as the BJ7 was properly set up with attention to 'camber' and 'castor' and all the other factors in suspension geometry, they handled superbly and were a dream to drive. With the top down, the burble from the exhaust note was a delight in a fifties, six-cylinder, down a country lane in a black and white movie, sort of way and on the overrun had more "snap, crackle and pop" than a box of Rice Crispies.

This delightful Austin Healey 3000 Mk.II (BJ7) dates from 1963 and is finished in Colorado Red over Old English White with Silver wires and a black interior. Since 1977, it's has had just two keepers with one of them enjoying this quintessential classic for 38 years! The current indicated mileage is 27,629 which is not warranted, but the 1977 MOT Certificate clearly says 18,015 miles, so it may well be accurate.

Last year (invoice date 3/08/2015) this pretty Healey benefited from an overhaul and full service to the value of £4,258.54 carried out by a local specialist and that included £600 for four new Blockley 205/70VR15 tyres which were popped on at the same time. According to the file, work on the car in the past included a new exhaust, petrol tank, and rear springs.

Having seen and heard the car we were very impressed. It sounds healthy, makes all the right 'Healey' noises and idles as it should. The hood and rear screen look good, the engine bay complete with chrome rocker box cover is particularly tidy, the dash is excellent, as is the rest of the interior apart from a loose seam on a small area of carpet. We are told it drives well for its 53 years.

This very smart 3000 comes complete with a full tonneau, original workshop manual and handbook, sizeable history file including the old buff logbook, Heritage Certificate, current V5 and an MOT valid until 16th August 2017 issued with no advisories.

A true enthusiast's car in super condition from long-term ownership with a good history file that is now looking for a new custodian to experience that special Healey magic.