Lot details
Registration No: EUE287C
Chassis No: HBJ8/31747
Mot Expiry: June 2007

Viewed by many as the definitive post-war British sports car, the Austin-Healey 3000 was launched in 1959 as a larger engined replacement for the otherwise similar 100/6 whose lineage dated back to the 1952 London Motor Show. Powered by a 2912cc engine developing 124 bhp, with front disc brakes and optional overdrive and available as (much rarer) 2-seater or a 2+2, the 3000 became a dominant force in rallying during the 1960s despite its apparent unsuitability with limited ground clearance and sometimes twitchy handling. Constantly developed by BMC, a MK II version was launched in 1961 and what is considered by many to be the ultimate Healey, the 3000 MK III was a 1963 London Motor Show debutante. Now producing nearly 150 bhp, with servo assisted brakes, more luxurious interior and available only with 2+2 seating the Healey 3000 continued to find a ready market at home and abroad despite the appearance of other, more refined roadsters from British and foreign manufacturers. Discontinued in early 1968 on the formation of British Leyland due to an inability to comply with upcoming safety legislation, Donald Healey had in fact produced 3 prototypes using a twin-cam version of the Rolls-Royce engine used in the Vanden Plas Princess 4-litre R in a lengthened 3000 chassis but BL decided (perhaps unwisely) to persist with the unloved and short lived MGC.
The 1965 British Racing Green right hand drive example offered today has an interesting history as it was repurchased by its second owner in 1984 after owning the car from 1968-71. Showing 4393 miles on its odometer (although we are not told if this is believed genuine or not), it is described by the vendor as being ‘very good’ in all aspects and comes complete with MOT until June 2007 and free road tax until the same date. Said to be complete with ‘all receipts and invoices’ together with an extra set of wide wheels/tyres and triple Webers this attractive Healey is ready to drive away from today’s sale.