1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MKIIA

Lot details
Registration No: DFH979A
Chassis No: HBJ7L22696
Mot Expiry: Feb 2011

Reading this, you probably know of the Austin Healey 3000 and the success of the legendary BMC Works Rally programme. Already a fine road car, relentless development by the backroom boys of the BMC Competitions Department, culminated with a machine crews referred to as the 'Biggest gun on the field'. If you were already a top driver, you needed a car you could win with and in the big banger sports car class, the Works Austin Healey 3000 was just that car. In the right hands, these sensational machines with their opposition crushing low down grunt, could storm Alpine passes in 2nd and 3rd gear, when the rest of the European competition were chugging around in 1st and 2nd.

BMC with the Austin Healey 3000 dominated and won many International Rallies, such as the gruelling Liege Sofia Liege and the Alpine. Driven by heroes like Timo Makinen, Pat Moss and the Morley brothers, the Big Healey's were the always the cars to beat. Inspired preparation and meticulous planning meant they mostly retired from crashes, not mechanical failure. Even the organisational might of Mercedes, Ferrari. Porsche and Alfa Romeo, were usually left in the dusty wake, of the red and white cars from Great Britain.

By the mid sixties development peaked, with the now classic combination of the triple Weber 200bhp, 3 litre, 6 cylinder engine, coupled to a (almost deafeningly noisy) straight cut Tulip ratio gearbox and gear lever operated competition overdrive, which could snap in so fast, the rear wheels would momentarily spin. To many the Big Healey is simply the definitive rally car of all time.

That hiatus of that development is represented by the evocative long distance and virtually rally ready machine for sale here now. Commissioned from specialist Collins Motorsport in 1990, to compete in the 1992 Charringtons Historic and other Stage Rally Championships, it is a genuine FIA and MSA log booked car. Currently it has an up to date contemporary FIVA Passport, which allows access to most of today's Historic, Social and Competitive events, either in the UK or on the Continent.

Always capable of a front running place, it has over the last twenty years, become one of the most well-known and admired machines both at home and overseas. More Mountain Legend than freshly restored rally replica, it's the nearest thing there is to a £200K works machine and has the all important history and equipment to back up such a claim.

At this moment the car is said to be running better than ever, with newly overhauled for 2010 straight cut 'Tulip' gearbox, Competition Overdrive, 4:1 axle and the rare and competition legal Quaiffe Limited Slip Differential.

Like all genuinely competitive historic machinery, as opposed to many of today's 'box fresh' look alike's, this car is in definitely in Competition Condition. It possesses something called 'patina', that rare commodity only attainable through the passage of time and hard work. Most importantly it drives like a sorted machine and feels neutral at road legal speeds. Rough yes, but definitely ready! There would seem little development required and almost everything looks to work as it should. Surprising then, how easy it is to drive, once you have mastered the gear knob operated overdrive and that on-off paddle clutch!

In summary, a car for the bold and enthusiastic driver, not the expert with Carnauba wax. Veteran of approximately 50 rallies and Hillclimb Championships, it really is the real thing and sounds like an Avro Lancaster.

A most welcome entrant and perfect companion for this year's Classic Marathon (June 12-18th) finishing in Biarritz and one of the few really powerful Road Rally cars, still allowed to compete in MSA and FIA Road Rallies, here in the UK.

The specification is as ideal as It is mouth-watering:

Engine
FIA std 2912cc wth lightened flywheel
Triple 45 DCOE Weber carburettors - just set up by Northampton Motorsport on rolling road
300 degree DWR rally cam with vernier adjustment
Rear Crank seal conversion
Forged Cosworth Pistons
Big Valve (unleaded) head
Extractor exhaust manifold (3 yrs old)
Remote oil filter and circuit mandatory oil catch tank
High capacity (recored) radiator with chained cap
60A Alternator
Competition Leads and renewed ignition system
Auxiliary (radiator) electric fan
Aluminium high capacity reinforced sump
Mocal Oil cooler (recently replaced)
Known faults - slight oil leak

Transmission (all newly restored for 2010)
4 speed Tulip ratio straight cut gearbox
Full competition overdrive on 3rd and 4th
Works gear knob overdrive switch
Fully access panelled transmission tunnel
AP Racing Competition Paddle clutch with remote bleed
High deflection propshaft
All purpose 4:1 axle ratio with Quaiffe LSD

Brakes
Dual Circuit with Brake (and fuel) lines inside car
Front discs with servo and pedal box balance bar
Rear Disc brake conversion
Handbrake: Hydraulic - mechanical conversion available
Suspension
30% uprated dampers all round
600lb front and HD uprated rear leaf springs.

Chassis (includes Mk III mods)
Reinforced, plus gusseted suspension mounts to Works spec
Works pattern 80 litre foam filled, fuel tank with spare wheel cut-out
Twin Facet Red Top fuel pumps.
Traction bars & Negative Camber kit
Quick ratio Steering Box with Mota -Lita wheel
Full length Sump Guard with twin tow hooks

Body
Scuttle & front wings aluminium with works vents.
Most other panels lightweight including boot lid.
Weber Carburettor q/r access panel
Works hardtop with top vent flap & wind up windows
Door mounted Exhaust with heat shield and access panel
Halogen headlamps, Front Spots & Reversing lamp
Scuttle emergency engine cut out
Works grill incorporating fresh air system
Le Mans (lockable) filler cap

Cockpit
Interior boot cutout (for 2 spare wheels)
Full rally dash, inc oil temp etc, 12v cigar type sockets.
Plumbed-in and remote Fire Extinguisher systems
Emergency engine stop and extinguisher button on scuttle
Roll cage with Interior light
Rally seats, with headrests & full harnesses
Period Halda
Navigator's footrest and Map light
Fresh air vents
Both Navigators and Drivers horn push

Wheels
15 x 4.5" wires running on brand new Avon ZZ's

Documents
Original FIA papers (not current)
FIVA Passport (current)
Heritage Certificate.
MOT
12 months approximately and Road Tax exempt