Estimated Price: £30,000 - £35,000
The Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII was launched in October 1963 and remained in production until the end of 1967 when production of all Austin-Healeys ceased. Classified as the BJ8, the new model was the most powerful and luxurious of the big Healeys with a Walnut veneer dash, wind-up windows and a 150bhp engine, propelling the car to 60mph in under ten seconds and enabling a top speed of just over 120mph. Improvements to the engine included a revised camshaft, valve springs and twin SU HD8 2 carburettors together with a redesigned exhaust system and servo-assisted brakes. In May 1964, the Phase II was quietly introduced and featured a redesigned rear chassis improving the big Healey's notoriously poor ground clearance.
This UK-supplied, right-hand drive BJ8 was ordered new by our vendor in February 1967 at a reported cost of approximately £1,250 and, remarkably, a copy of the original order letter dated 28th February 1967 remains in the car's document file alongside its current V5C which, despite confirming that the Healey was first registered on 19th April 1967 - just short of 59 years ago - shows no former keepers. I don't think we have ever seen that.
The car was collected new from BMC’s distribution depot between Abingdon and Oxford by our vendor and has been driven only by him and close family members. Used initially as a daily driver, the Healey was retired from regular use in 1973, after the vendor was issued with a company car and, when not in use, is stored under cover in a purpose-built garage. The odometer currently displays 3,785 miles, reflecting a total recorded mileage of approximately 103,785 miles, representing modest use over nearly six decades.
A replacement BMC C-Series engine was fitted in the early 1970s at approximately 40,000 miles and, in the mid-to-late 1980s, the car underwent restoration work including replacement of the front and rear wings, sills and associated panels affected by corrosion, together with the fitment of a new hood and windscreen. Parts were sourced from AH Spares of Kenilworth, with the work carried out by Ron Long of Oldbury. At that time, the car was refinished from its original Austin-Healey Blue into a period Ford blue, possibly Winchester Blue, a colour which suits the car well.
The car is supplied with its original instruction book, official workshop manual, original tonneau cover, and the original heavy starter motor, which accompanies a more recently fitted pre-engaged unit. The hood remains in notably good condition, and the vendor advises the car has only been driven in the rain once since restoration.
Mechanically, the car is described as well maintained but honest. Noted points include a sump oil leak, sticking fuel gauge, inoperative glovebox latch, and a disconnected radio aerial. Overdrive operates on third and fourth gears. New trunnions were fitted approximately 15 years ago, and the car has been regularly serviced, most recently by a local garage who have maintained the vehicle for many years. The current MOT is valid until 10th March 2026 and was issued with No Advisories.
An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a single-owner Austin-Healey BJ8 with continuous, long-term history, a car that has been used, enjoyed, respected and preserved rather than traded or over-restored. We encourage your inspection at our Race Retro Collector Car Sale.
- Body TypesOther
- Transmission
- Exterior ColourBlue
- Interior Colour
