1965 Austin Healey 3000 MkIIIA BJ8

Details

Austin Healey is one of the world’s most iconic sports car brands. The marque was established in 1952 as a joint venture between the Austin division of the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and Donald Healey. During the twenty year partnership Austin Healey designed and built some of the most popular and arguably the best value for money sports cars in period.

The first of these was the Austin Healey 100 which was mechanically based on the Austin A90. In total more than 10,000 of the original 100 Series cars, designated as BN1, were built from 1953 to 1955. The second series or BN2 cars featured a four speed transmission with other improvements and just over 4,600 of these cars were built in 1955 and 1956. Additionally, a limited number of aluminum bodied cars, designated as 100S, were built primarily for racing.In 1956 the car underwent a major redesign and the new model the 100/6 (produced as 2+2 BN4 and a 2 seater BN6) was introduced. These cars continued to sell strongly and circa 14,500 cars were built from 1956 – 1959.

Its successor was the Austin Healey 3000 which is the best known and most popular of all of the ‘Big Healeys’. This model was reasonably similar to its predecessor the 100/6 with its major change being an increase in engine capacity from 2.6 litres to 3.0 litres. The Austin Healey 3000 was produced in three series being the MkI, MkII and MkIII and circa 43,000 cars were built from 1959 through to 1967.

We are delighted to offer one of the most desirable of the models, a 1965 Austin Healey MkIIIA BJ8. What makes this car even more unique is the fact it has been restored in the style of a works rally car. During the restoration the car has been modified in a sensitive manner.  The car presents beautifully and in many ways it drives like a new car and the tasteful modifications ensure it could be used as an everyday driver! Additionally, its current owner has added a number of body features (akin to a “Rally Pack”) to give the car a more aggressive stance. Many people have commented that it looks more like an AC Cobra than an Austin Healey!

The car has a well documented and interesting history. This factory right hand drive car was delivered new to the UK. The original registration document accompanies the car and this shows its original owner was a Mr Sidney William Smith from Buckhurst Hill north of London. The car was delivered new to Mr Smith on July 14 1965 with the following options – wire wheels, non-overdrive, 3.5 diff and radio. In September 1966 the car passed to a Mr Victor Cooper from Morden in Surrey and then in May 1968 dealer Central Garage in Rudgwick Sussex acquired the car. It was then sold to a Mr Lawrence Lotito from Horsham in Sussex. On the 14 February 1969 the car was acquired by a Mr Arthur Weaver from Alabama in the USA who purchased the car in the UK whilst on a tour of duty with the US Navy.  In 1970 Mr Leslie shipped the car home to the USA and he maintained ownership of the car for some forty years before selling it to its current owner in April 2008. The new owner immediately imported the car into Australia where he undertook a comprehensive nut and bolt restoration on the car.
Whilst in the UK the car was registered as MHK 822 C and whilst in the USA it was registered as ETD 266 (VA).

There are receipts that total over $150,000 for this car that cover the following:

– Stripped to bare shell for total restoration

– All original panels prepared & fitted to car with correct gaps & fit

– Rally style guard vents

– Rally style boot lid

– Rally style scuttle vent

– Rally style headlights with period correct headlight buckets & trim rings

– Rally style grille & air vents

– Rally style alloy dash in wrinkle finish black

– Rally style flared guards

– Oil cooler vents

– Riveted & recessed rear number plate

– Carburettor removable intake panel

– Factory hardtop- Alloy radiator

– Electric fan

– X Tim Pyne race short engine reconditioned by Healey Factory

– Original short engine block as spare

– Triple 45 DCOE 13 Webers

– Works Rally intake manifolds

– Extractors

– Alloy rocker cover

– Alloy quick release filler cap

– Koni front shocker conversion (Healey Factory)

– Bilstein rear shocker conversion kit (Putzke pfahrspass)

– Adjustable front shocker towers

– Toyota Supra twin turbo W58 5 speed gearbox

– Smitty’s 5 speed conversion kit

– Smitty’s spin on oil filter assembly

– Hi Voltage alternator

– Pertronix Electronic ignition

– Air conditioning integrated into dash

– Minilite wheels

– New knock on wheel spinners

– Trim by Garry Blackman retaining original seats with new centre arm rest & rear luggage tray, boot trim as original- Instruments overhauled- Mota lita woodrim steering wheel

– Raydot side mirror

– Original factory soft top (not on car)

– Tonneau & bow

This is a ‘one of a kind’ Austin Healey that is offered for sale at significantly less than the total cost of the investment in the car.

Today the car presents fabulously and it is maintained in excellent condition. The car does get regularly driven, hence, there are a few minor stone chips on the front of the car. These are most prominent under the front grill.

PRICE – $120,000 AUD

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