1964 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII (Phase II) BJ8

• Built during December 1964 in left-hand drive for the North American Market 
• Initially finished in black with red trim, the factory options included wire wheels, heater, overdrive and an adjustable steering column
• Subject to a Concours-standard, body-off restoration in 2002
• New carpets, convertible top, wire wheels, wiring harness, carburettors, re-plated chrome, fuel tank, windshield and much more
• The BMI Heritage Certificate issued in 2006 confirms that the car is still married to its original body, chassis, engine and gearbox
• Now finished in Classic Silver with a bright red interior
• Concours success followed immediately with the 2002 Concours d’Elegance Award of Distinction in Cincinnati
• Purchased by our vendor in the States in 2015 and returned to the UK
• A quality restoration that has stood the test of time and still has that wow factor

The Austin-Healey 3000 is the very epitome of the classic British sports car and one of the few cars that can be said to have attained classic status whilst still in production. Quite an achievement then, but not an altogether unexpected one considering the Austin-Healey heritage coupled with its achievements in motorsport.

The Austin Healey 3000 Mk III was launched in October 1963 and remained in production until the end of 1967 when production of all Austin Healeys ceased. 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 a 150bhp engine, propelling the car to 60 mph in under ten seconds and enabling a top speed of just over 120mph. Improvements to the engine included a revised camshaft, valve springs and twin SU HD8 2 carburettors together with a redesigned exhaust system and servo-assisted brakes. In May 1964, the Phase II was quietly introduced and featured a redesigned rear chassis improving the big Healey's notorious poor ground clearance.

Offered here is a Concours-standard ‘Big Healey’ that was originally built in left-hand drive for the North American Market. Initially finished in black with red trim, the factory options included wire wheels, heater, Overdrive and an adjustable steering column and, unusually, up until the major restoration in 2002, it had enjoyed single-family ownership all its life. The history file contains a fully documented account of the restoration and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate issued in 2006 confirms that the car is still married to its original body, chassis, engine and gearbox. The body-off restoration was comprehensive and included new carpets, canvas convertible top, wire wheels, wiring harness, carburettors, re-plated chrome, fuel tank, windshield and much more. Now finished in Silver with a red interior, it still presents today as it did in 2002 when the Judges awarded it 'The Concours D’Elegance Award of Distinction' in Cincinnati.

The Healey was purchased at a high-end auction in America in 2015 by our vendor who had travelled to buy another car but was so taken by the gleaming silver Healey, he simply had to have it.

Quality restorations tend to age well, often with that ‘just painted’ look and this beautifully presented car continues to generate a ‘wow’ wherever it goes. At this guide, a restoration could not be performed to this level … a must have!