Restored with polished, all-aluminum bodywork

1962 Austin-Healey 3000 MkII BT7

2,912cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
2 SU HD8 Carburetors
131bhp at 4,750rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes

*Wonderful Big-Healey for the classic driver
*Outfitted with an all-aluminum, mirror finished body
*Beautifully trimmed inside and out.
*A true classic car icon


Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

THE AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000

With the introduction of the 'Big Healey' 3000 model, the legendary British manufacturer of sports cars successfully retained the essence of its classic curvaceous long hood/short deck sports roadster, but had grown the car to accommodate 2+2 seating, and loaded it with amenities directed towards the booming North American market.
In 1960, the second production year for the six-cylinder 3000 Healeys, the marque saw great success on the competitive international rally scene, with Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom winning the Liege-Rome-Liege, Coupes des Dames in Geneva and the Tulip Rally. With partial alloy bodies, these cars were light enough to perform admirably with extra power of the three-liter engine.

Designed as a sports car, the Austin-Healey 3000 evolved into the fully civilized 3000 Mk III. Fitted with roll-up side windows and an easily operable soft top, the 2+2 tourer was quite enjoyable and safe for daily driving. Powered by the potent 2,912cc twin-carb six-cylinder engine, mated to a four-speed manual overdrive transmission, and equipped with disc brakes in the front, the 3000 also provided performance worthy of its sporting heritage.

Top speed was over 115mph and the 0-60mph time below 10 seconds. Despite the antiquity of the basic design, the Austin-Healey 3000 remained as popular as ever, though increasingly stringent safety and emissions legislation meant that its days were numbered by the late 1960s.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This unique Healey is a one-of-a-kind creation. When commencing the restoration of this BT7 back in 2007, the decision was made to take things a step further and reskin the car in polished aluminum. While the 3000 incorporated a number of alloy panels—and the Works cars featured heavy use of alloy bodywork—this car has had all of the panels replaced with aluminum. The restoration took two years, but the results are something to behold.

Sourcing the fenders (front and rear) , hoot, truck lid, and doors from Cape International, the 22-guage aluminum was then mirror polished and fitted to the car by a specialists shop in Southampton, New York. Beyond just polish and fitment, the hood was modified to include eye-riveted louvers, vents were flared into the wings á la the Works cars, and an external fuel filler cap was fitted. Meanwhile, any brightwork was either replaced or rechromed to match the mirror finish of the body.

In the cabin, the interior was fully retrimmed in Paradise Valley tan Spinneybeck Itlalian leather with matching carpets. Under it all, BQuiet sound and heat insulation was installed to make for a more comfortable experience. While working on the interior, the gauges were also serviced, and the windscreen was replaced. In front of the driver a new Mahogany Tourist Trophy steering wheel and gear-shift knob greeted their hands.

Under the hood, the big six was blue printed and rebuilt with Le Mans solid lifter cams, dual SU HD8 carbs, and Pertronix electronic ignition. This was affixed to a fresh clutch and pressure plate pushing up against a resurfaced flywheel. Gasoline flows from an epoxy coated gas tank and with the fuel pump and sending unit replaced during the restoration. To manage handling, the shock absorbers were replaced. Braking was ensured to be swift with a rebuilt master and slave cylinder, renewed calipers and pistons, and fresh rear wheel pistons. The exhaust system was replaced with a Falcon stainless steel unit while all five 72-spoke chromed wheels with knock off hubs were also replaced.

With the restoration completed a dozen years ago, the car has been carefully maintained since with a $3300 service in August of this year being the most recent work and fewer than 100 miles driven since then. With a reported 300-pound reduction in weight care of the aluminum bodywork and careful tuning of the mechanics, the owner reports this car to be one very quick machine! Accompanied by a thick stack of receipts detailing the tens of thousands of dollars countless hours spent, one only need look at the machine to realize how special it is.

A great sports car that can be used for spirited drives on twisty roads, or longer weekends away from home, the BT7 has room for two with luggage and a picnic basket, and would surely make for an excellent foray into the British sports car experience.