1965 AUSTIN HEALEY BJ8 3000 MKIII

KEY FACTS

• A sound example of the classic British sports car, which is a great driver, and would be a good basis for future restoration.
• Under the hood is the numbers-matching 2.9-litre straight-six fed by dual SU carburettors, rated at up to 148hp when new, driving the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
• The previous owner carried out extensive mechanical recommissioning.
• Currently located in New York, the car has a New Jersey title.
• This car was built in November 1964 and dispatched to the US in December 1964, where it arrived and was first registered in 1965.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• Finished in Colorado Red, which was the original factory colour, this Austin-Healey has black interior upholstery with custom patterned seat inserts and yellow piping.
• The original factory equipment included wire wheels, a heater, adjustable steering column, black tonneau cover for its black soft top, a laminated windscreen, and overdrive for the transmission.
• While the engine number matches what is on the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust factory record certificate, the gearbox is a non-original unit that has been rebuilt.
• It has been fitted with PerTronix electronic ignition, features 2+2 seating, and the dashboard is accented by burr wood trims.
• Comes with thousands in recent recommissioning records, see new parts list at end of our listing
• Accompanying the car are extensive records covering the mechanical recommissioning, as well as the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate that confirms the factory colours and specification.

CONDITION

• While there is no known prior accident damage, it is understood that the left rear fender has been replaced by a fiberglass item at some point in the past. The rear bumper has also been replaced.
• The paintwork looks good from a few metres away, but it is believed to be 25-30 years old, and has had touch-ups and localised repairs over the years, so the flaws are apparent on closer inspection. It would benefit from body and paintwork restoration in due course; whether purely attending to smaller patches or committing to a comprehensive bare-metal process.
• Inside, there is an obvious tear in the lower outer bolster of the driver’s seat, but otherwise the upholstery is in good order, having evidently been re-trimmed in the past.
• There are minor marks and scratches around the cabin as you would expect given its age, and the wood panelling has some surface cracks and lacquer peel as shown.
• Other than an inoperative radio, there are no known electrical faults.

SERVICE HISTORY

• Recent mechanical work on the car has included an overhaul of the transmission and overdrive clutches by Quantum Mechanics in Connecticut. New transmission mounts were installed, along with a refurbished angle drive shaft, and a new speedometer cable.
• Other work involved renewing one of the rear wheel cylinders, the front sway bar and bushings, converting the car to negative earth, and refurbishing the wiring harness.
• The car has also received a new fan and radiator shroud, new radiator hoses and clamps, a replacement thermostat, and a new battery.
• The braking system, cooling system, and engine have been fully serviced, with the latter including fresh oil, adjustment of the valve clearances and timing, new spark plugs, and rebuilding both carburettors.

SUMMARY

This Austin Healey 3000 MkIII is presented in good mechanical order, driving smartly and benefiting from the more powerful engine of the BJ8 model, as well as working overdrive. While it is in need of some cosmetic attention, this could be the ideal winter project, enabling a keen enthusiast or professional restorer to bring this original US-delivered ‘big Healey’ back to its former glory.

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