LOT 200
Motorcars from the Oldenburg Family Collection 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II BJ7 Chassis no. H-BJ7L/22747 Engine no. 3659
Sold for US$56,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 200
Motorcars from the Oldenburg Family Collection 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II BJ7
Motorcars from the Oldenburg Family Collection
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II BJ7
Chassis no. H-BJ7L/22747
Engine no. 3659
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II BJ7
Chassis no. H-BJ7L/22747
Engine no. 3659
2,912cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
2 SU Carburetors
132bhp at 4,750rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
Front Disc – Rear Drum Brakes
*Example of the classic "Big Healey"
*Iconic paint scheme for these cars
*A great tour car or Sunday driver – with room for four!
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The "Big Healey" retained the essence of its curvaceous long hood/short deck progenitor, the Austin-Healey 100/4 Roadster of 1953. The enlargement of its C-Series six-cylinder engine to 2,912cc and the adoption of Girling front disc brakes differentiated the new-for-1959 Austin-Healey 3000 from the preceding 100/6. Austin's rugged six now delivered 124bhp at 4,600rpm, which was good enough for a top speed of 114mph with the optional hardtop in place. Otherwise, the 3000 remained much as the 100/6, though the more-powerful disc brakes were a welcome improvement.
Unveiled in March 1961, the MK II version with restyled grille and bonnet intake was the last 3000 available as a two-seater, the 2+2 option having been for years the more popular, while engine improvements in the form of triple SU carburetors and a revised camshaft liberated an extra 8bhp. From November 1961 the 3000 was equipped with a new gearbox, a development which at last moved the gear lever to the center of the transmission tunnel. In January 1962 the twin-carburetor MK II Convertible (or MK IIA) appeared: a 2+2-only model boasting long overdue refinements such as wind-up windows, swiveling quarter-lights and fixed foldaway top. MK II production ceased after 5,095 2+2s and 355 two-seaters had been built through 1963; the succeeding 3000 MK III was introduced that year.
The Oldenburg Family acquired this 'Big Healey' at auction in Florida some 15 years ago, and despite a number of these cars arriving in and leaving the collection in the intervening time, it has been this car that they retained for the longest time. The family report it to have been the best-looking scheme for these cars in their view of the Ice Blue Metallic over Old English White, which is hard to dispute. They also like the practicality of this variant and have found this particular example to have been a reliable, usable and fun British sportscar in their tenure.
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