1964 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III

The "Big Healeys" have long been viewed as the ultimate British sports cars of the 1960s; the 3000 being the ultimate, marketed, development of the line started with the 1952 Healey 100 launched at the London Motor Show. The lines and handling of the Healey made it a sleek and successful rally car all around the world. It's 6-cylinder 2996cc engine gives plenty of torque and the cars are more than capable of long distance touring.

The 3000 Mk III on offer here has enjoyed single ownership for the last 23 years. It was sourced in California by well-known Healey experts, Scott-Nelson, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire and re-patriated from Sacramento in the mid 1980's. It was converted to right-hand drive and extensively restored by them before passing into the current ownership in 1989. The car presents well and started and drove without a problem during the cataloguing and photography process. It has been subtly improved by the vendor to give a more enjoyable driving experience. These modifications have included the fitting of a stainless steel exhaust system; full heat shielding of the run of that exhaust down the side of the cabin (often a criticism of the marque) and a brand new steering box was fitted in late 2011. There is an electric fan with the car, which is not fitted but purchased with a view to touring in Spain and other Mediterranean countries.

Complete with full weather equipment and both tonneau covers, this Healey shows what could well be a genuine 89,959 miles recorded on it's odometer. Being in the classic and period correct colours of British Racing Green with black seats, piped in white, the car has been a regular attendee at the Goodwood Revival Weekend, managing the drive to and from it's home in the North East with no problems what so ever. The car is now fully mellowed into i'ts restoration and might, arguably, benefit from a little under bonnet "refreshment" but it is perfectly useable and acceptable as it is.

Having shared garage space with an MGA until recently, the Healey is being rather reluctantly offered for sale only because of the imminent arrival of another desirable Austin Healey product. With MOT and Tax Disc running until June this year, this is genuinely a lot which you could drive home on Monday!