1965 AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MK3 BJ8

Background

A PREMIUM WILL BE CHARGED ON THIS AUCTION OF 5% OF THE HAMMER PRICE (PLUS VAT IN THE UK AND EUROPE). MIN £500 + VAT - MAX £5,000 (+ VAT)

Donald Healey’s stunning two-seater sports car owed its mechanical prowess to nothing more than an amalgamation of bits from the Austin parts bin, but my, what a car.

Alongside those alluring looks, the key to its success was the Austin A90’s 2660cc four-pot engine, which output a decidedly perky 90bhp – enough to fire the little scamp to a top speed of 102mph.

Factor in an incredibly affordable price tag and while we certainly loved it over here, the USA went bonkers for it. In total a staggering 14,612 100 and 100M models were sold.

Named of course for its top speed, which broke the mythical 100mph barrier, the Austin Healey 100 had it all: handling, power, looks and, most importantly in the Post-War world, that quintessentially British aura.

As it evolved the Healey got bigger, but it also got decidedly more brawny and powerful – hence the moniker ‘Big’. In MkII form its 2912cc powerplant output a hairy-chested 132bhp, but the subsequent MkIII (as here, with the example below) upped the ante even further, with a walloping 148bhp now available.

The earlier variants may be a touch nimbler, but later Healeys exude a delightful Great British machismo. Climb aboard, fire it up, kiss each bicep once, and get ready to devour the English countryside in style.

The Vehicle

Originally a US car, this MkIII returned to these shores in 2016. “It was converted to right-hand drive at that time at a cost of £5,419, with 72-spoke chrome wheels, a mohair hood and an all-new interior fitted. The bright work was re-chromed, the engine fettled, a new fuel tank fitted, and the underside also sealed,” explains the vendor.

He himself bought the car in 2020. “It remains in its original colour combination of Ivory White with Red interior trim, although the original hood was black. The Austin-Healey also retains its original engine and gearbox, so it’s a matching numbers car.”

Of its time in the US, there are a few documents in the history file; it is known that it was sold new in Kansas, and in June 2006 a Georgia buyer purchased it with circa 60K miles on the clock, subsequently covering 5,231 miles in the next 10 years.

“I love looking at the Austin-Healey, it’s such a beautiful car and it gets a lot of attention. I’ve used it for the odd sunny day run, and have been to a few shows in it, as well as a journey to the Isle of Wight and back – covering just over 2000 miles in two years. It drives very smoothly and has a lovely roar.”

He’s further fettled the car with small tweaks and improvements during his ownership. “It had new tyres three years ago. I’ve also put electronic ignition on it, and a new battery and fuel pump, so it starts really well and is very reliable. The interior has a USB connection fitted in the glove box. The original design had the rear indicators and brake lights working in unison, but I had these rewired so that they work independently of each other – it’s a bit safer, but can be easily returned to original specification.”

So why is he selling? “The grandchildren are very unhappy,” he says. “But my wife and I will be touring Europe this summer and we just fancied something a bit more modern to do it in, so I have just bought a Porsche 911 4S from The Market. I will however, go back to having an older classic at some point in the future.”

Final thought? “It’s just a very honest car, with great panels on it. Always garaged and undersealed well, it has no rust on it.”

On the Outside

If you love a good old-fashioned British roadster then you’re spoiled for choice: Jaguar E-Type, MGA, Triumph TR (of any flavour), or how about a ‘big’ Healey? For us, the latter has such a pugnacious character: elegant, muscular, and poised to devour.

This example, presented in Ivory White is a glorious looking thing. The paint finish remains impressive, accentuating its crisp lines; it’s aided and abetted by stunning Red soft-top, which perfectly matches the interior colour. Bright work was re-chromed in the none too distant past and gleams appropriately, with those evocative 72-spoke chrome wire wheels added back in 2016.

That soft-top remains in excellent condition.

Watch our video below. And then watch it again. Be in no doubt that this is a visually mesmerising classic car.

On the Inside

The Healey’s cabin complements the exterior perfectly. The Red leather remains in great condition; in fact, the only thing required is plenty of use to help it begin to develop a patina.

David has added a lovely Moto-Lita style wooden steering wheel for a bit of added interior ‘woof’. The black carpets remain very good, as do the door cards and all dash and centre column coverings. Chrome-rimmed dials all function as far as we can tell, and the dashboard wood veneers remain excellent.

When new, the car was specced with an adjustable steering column, heater, laminated windscreen, and overdrive. Up top, the soft-top headlining is superb and when you pop the roof down there’s a matching tonneau cover to fit in place.

It’s a lovely, lovely… by the way, did we say lovely? Interior.

Underneath

“It drives wonderfully,” says the vendor. “As I said before, the engine has a great roar to it, and plenty of grunt. The gearbox shifts very well and has overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears, which works smoothly. The brakes are nice and sharp, with discs on the front, so it stops well. Austin-Healeys don’t have a comfortable cushioned ride, but the suspension is in fine health – good wheels and tyres help.”

He has carried out tuning and servicing in his own garage for the last two years, with a modified throttle cable connection to the carburettors fitted for smoother operation.

It’s worth perusing the Photo Gallery below, as it reveals an underside that looks to be in excellent health. Similarly, the engine bay presents well; it’s not concours by any means, but clean and smart, as you would expect of a regularly used and well-looked after classic car. The next owner could utilise a bit of under-bonnet elbow grease for further beautification if they so wish – of course, that’s precious time that could be spent driving it!

History Highlights

The most important document (V5c aside) in this car’s history file is a British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate, which confirms the chassis, engine, and body numbers, as well as original specification, and dates of build (25-29/06/1964) and despatch (08/07/1964). It also details the factory fitted equipment.

You will also find a variety of invoices detailing works carried out on the car from its introduction to the UK, including that all important one for its conversion to right-hand drive (completed by Websters).

Finally, also present is a Georgia Certificate of Title.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been converted to right-hand drive and then maintained to an excellent standard.

What We Think

This is a delightful, regularly used, and well-looked after example of a beefcake Austin-Healey MkIII – the fact that it presents beautifully too, is the topping on the British roadster cake.

The vendor has carried out some mild, and reversible, tweaks to ensure improved usability on modern roads and with matching numbers, lots of aesthetic care and attention, as well as mechanical and electrical fettling, the next owner can be assured that they are bidding for a very decent example.

Given all the above, we think this lovely Healey will sell for somewhere between £40,000 and £50,000. Anywhere within and that’ll be a decent price to pay for the pleasure that this car is sure to offer – heck, even a cheeky bit over would, too.

You can feel spring in the air. It won’t be long now, so why not treat yourself to one of the best and brawniest British roadsters ever to hit the road.

I refer you to 4 minutes and 55 seconds into our Video Review… listen to that lovely exhaust note. Now imagine it tickling your ears on a country lane, in third gear with your foot down – bliss.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at The Market’s Abingdon Headquarters; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Video Review