5th Dec, 2012 18:00
Newbury Racecourse
1962 Austin-Healey 3000 MKII 2+2
Estimated at £35,000 - £40,000
Lot details
Registration No: XSY 510
Chassis No: HBT719549
Mot Expiry: Nov 2013
Donald Healey's eponymous company built a prototype two-seater sports car for display at the 1952 London Motor Show. It was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and sported a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. It was dubbed the 'Healey Hundred' (a moniker chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach 100mph), and, subject to a suitably encouraging response, Healey planned to build production versions in-house at his factory in Warwick. As things transpired, not only did the Ice Blue prototype impress the public, but also so excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, that he struck a deal to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The newcomer was renamed the Austin-Healey 100. The rest is history.
The 'Big' Healey enjoyed steady development, with the four-cylinder cars giving way to the 100-Six of 1956, which was followed by the first of the 3000s in 1959 and the MKII 3000 in 1961. Identifiable by its new grille and bonnet air intake, the MKII was still available as a two-seater (BN7) or four-seater (BT7), but power was increased to 132bhp, courtesy of three 1.5 inch SUs on separate inlet manifolds.
This very nicely presented right-hand drive, home market Healey 3000 MKII is a rare 1962 BT7 example with triple carburettors but a centre-change gearbox. It was restored by 'Big Healey' guru John Chatham some 10-12 years ago. The engine was refurbished and equipped with a MKIII camshaft within the last three years, since when 'XSY 510' has covered just 3,000 miles. In all other respects the specification is as the car vacated the factory 50.5 years ago bound for Hattons of Burnley, when the many factory-fitted options included: overdrive, heater, laminated windscreen, adjustable steering column, brake servo and Road Speed tyres. It remains in its original colour combination of Colorado Red, Red leather interior and Black hood - the latter is new and accompanied by a tonneau cover of the same colour and a pair of side screens. These days the car rides on a smart set of Silver-painted wire wheels shod with as-new Firestone tyres. John Chatham currently classes the bodywork as "very correct and straight with the right panel gaps" and the paintwork, interior trim, six-cylinder engine and four-speed manual gearbox as "excellent". He is selling the car complete with photos of the restoration, assorted bills, Heritage Certificate and a brand new MOT. The odometer currently displays an unwarranted 42,307 miles.
Registration No: XSY 510
Chassis No: HBT719549
Mot Expiry: Nov 2013
Donald Healey's eponymous company built a prototype two-seater sports car for display at the 1952 London Motor Show. It was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and sported a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. It was dubbed the 'Healey Hundred' (a moniker chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach 100mph), and, subject to a suitably encouraging response, Healey planned to build production versions in-house at his factory in Warwick. As things transpired, not only did the Ice Blue prototype impress the public, but also so excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, that he struck a deal to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The newcomer was renamed the Austin-Healey 100. The rest is history.
The 'Big' Healey enjoyed steady development, with the four-cylinder cars giving way to the 100-Six of 1956, which was followed by the first of the 3000s in 1959 and the MKII 3000 in 1961. Identifiable by its new grille and bonnet air intake, the MKII was still available as a two-seater (BN7) or four-seater (BT7), but power was increased to 132bhp, courtesy of three 1.5 inch SUs on separate inlet manifolds.
This very nicely presented right-hand drive, home market Healey 3000 MKII is a rare 1962 BT7 example with triple carburettors but a centre-change gearbox. It was restored by 'Big Healey' guru John Chatham some 10-12 years ago. The engine was refurbished and equipped with a MKIII camshaft within the last three years, since when 'XSY 510' has covered just 3,000 miles. In all other respects the specification is as the car vacated the factory 50.5 years ago bound for Hattons of Burnley, when the many factory-fitted options included: overdrive, heater, laminated windscreen, adjustable steering column, brake servo and Road Speed tyres. It remains in its original colour combination of Colorado Red, Red leather interior and Black hood - the latter is new and accompanied by a tonneau cover of the same colour and a pair of side screens. These days the car rides on a smart set of Silver-painted wire wheels shod with as-new Firestone tyres. John Chatham currently classes the bodywork as "very correct and straight with the right panel gaps" and the paintwork, interior trim, six-cylinder engine and four-speed manual gearbox as "excellent". He is selling the car complete with photos of the restoration, assorted bills, Heritage Certificate and a brand new MOT. The odometer currently displays an unwarranted 42,307 miles.
Auction: Newbury Racecourse, 5th Dec, 2012
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