Extensively uprated to ultimate specification by John Chatham
1960 Austin Healey 3000S Roadster with Hardtop

• Car 4 of 6 so far
• Unique racing specification (circa 270bhp)
• Extensively uprated for road and race use

"John and Jack (Chatham) now believe this is the ultimate specified Austin Healey for road rallies, sprints, hill climbs and full circuit racing however not too aggressive for road use"

The car offered here is a John Chatham Austin-Healey 3000S (car four of six so far) but the only one to be returned and upgraded from 'fast road' to racing specification. Our vendor commissioned the car from John and returned it for the racing upgrades four years ago. Originally the car was Canadian, brought back by John and converted to right-hand drive drive as part of the vendor's original commission. It is a BN7 model and so very similar to John's super-famous Austin-Healey 3000, 'DD 300'. As first delivered it was in 'fast road' specification, with triple SU carburettors, a limited-slip differential, original gearbox, overdrive, etc. The engine was standard but polished and ported to produce circa 200bhp.

After entering the car in the Goodwood Sprint in 2021, the vendor realised that to compete at that 'gentleman racer' level a little more power would be needed. He spoke to John Chatham and his son Jack about making some changes, but on the understanding that the car, while faster and more robust for the track, would also need to remain useable as a road car. This was successfully achieved by replacing the engine (now circa 270 bhp), gearbox (straight-cut gears ); overdrive (competition); and clutch (competition). A full specification sheet outlining all upgrades is on file and worthy of close inspection. The vendor deliberately retained the lovely road-going interior for touring (as upgraded originally by John Chatham). There are photographs of the vendor collecting the car from John and Jack Chatham in February 2022, together with another photograph of the new engine with its triple-Weber carburettors (all period).

Other works carried out by Aston Martin specialist (and racer) Rikki Cann include the addition of a dual-circuit braking system; fitting period shock absorbers (adjustable); and sourcing and fitting period Minilite wheels (see photograph on file).

'652 UYH' has been lightly used at two Goodwood Sprints, posting some of the fastest speeds, and at numerous Shelsley Walsh hill climb driving school days, placing 1st in 2022. According to our vendor, in the right hands it could be a podium car.

In short: this is now a track-capable, fast and hugely fun Austin-Healey 3000, built and then (uniquely) further upgraded by one of the legends in Historic motor sport, John Chatham.