Footnotes

"Competition? The 3000 spoils for it. It's the only British sports car ever to have won the Liège-Rome-Liège Rally, which is probably the most destructive test of them all. It's also the only British sports car ever to have won it twice!" – Austin Motor Co Ltd.

Launched at the New York Motor Show in March 1959, the Austin-Healey 3000 retained the muscular good looks of its 100/6 predecessor while providing a useful increase in performance thanks to a larger-capacity version of the long-established C-Series engine. Over-bored to 2,912cc, the latter produced 124bhp, good enough for a top speed of 114mph with the optional hardtop in place. Otherwise, the car was much as before, though Girling front disc brakes were a welcome improvement. Introduced in 1961, the MkII in Convertible form brought improved practicality courtesy of a fixed foldaway top and winding windows. From now until the end of production the only 3000 model available would be the 2+2, the less popular two-seat version having been dropped.

The 3000 MkIII with 148bhp engine appeared early in 1964, to be followed later in the year by the Phase II version with revised rear suspension. Top speed was now 121mph and the 0-60mph time dipped below 10 seconds. Despite the antiquity of the basic design, the Big Healey remained as popular as ever, though increasingly stringent safety and emissions legislation meant that its days were numbered. Today the Big Healey family enjoys an enthusiastic following and is catered for by a worldwide industry of spare parts and service providers.

This left-hand drive MkIII 'Phase I' was imported from the USA in March 2015 and acquired from a German dealer by the present owner in November of that year. Related import documentation and a bill of sale are on file together with a State of California Certificate of Title issued in 1970. Following its importation the Healey was treated to a comprehensive 'body off' restoration, commencing in October 2016 and finishing in December 2017, and comes with numerous restoration photographs on a USB stick. Sold only because the current owner is thinning out his collection, this beautiful Big Healey is ready for the next fortunate owner to enjoy.