Lot Ended
Description
1960 Austin-Healey 3000 MkI BT7
Imported
from Texas in 1989 and just three owners since, the second for 27 years;
overdrive; electronic ignition; stainless steel exhaust
Launched to
rave reviews in 1959, the 'Big Healey' has gone on to become perhaps the most
sought after of all the hairy-chested British sportscars of the 1960s.
Particularly popular on the American market, the Austin-Healey 3000 (MkI)
introduced a number of improvements to the already successful 100-6. The change
of model name heralded the more powerful 2,912cc BMC C-Series engine whose
124bhp propelled the car to a top speed of nearly 120mph.
Other
improvements included front disc brakes, wire wheels as standard, and a choice
of either 2-seater (BN7) or 2+2 (BT7) body styles. Options included a detachable
hardtop roof and overdrive transmission. The 3000 MkI remained in production
until the arrival of the MkII in 1961.
As the
Heritage Certificate confirms, this Austin-Healey 3000 BT7 2+2 was built in
January 1960 as a LHD model for the North American market. Finished in Healey
Blue with a blue interior and a blue hood, it had overdrive, wire wheels, a
heater and an adjustable steering column.
A US
Certificate of Title shows that the car was resident in the dry state of Texas
before being brought back to the UK in August 1989 by Alan Bunn Classic Cars of
Stevenage. He advertised the car for £12,950, describing it as being in ‘superb
condition throughout’, and the following month it was snapped up by a Mr R
Hunter of Hertfordshire.
Invoices show that the
car received a multitude of new parts in 1990 (mainly trim items such as door
handles; boot hinges; wing beadings; dash knobs; headlamps; seat foams; carpets;
stainless steel exhaust etc), being repainted in the current ice blue-over-white
by Quality Coat of Luton at around the same time, as shown in photos on file.
Mr Hunter kept the car until 1995, covering
some 7,000 miles before selling it to historic rally driver John Bayliss of
Gloucestershire who was to keep it for the next 27 years. Various invoices
attest to routine upkeep during this period but apart from new shock absorbers
all round and various brake parts and service items, it never seems to have
needed much. Hardly surprising as it only covered around 12,500 miles during his
long ownership.
Our vendor, a friend of Mr
Bayliss and formerly his rally navigator, acquired the car earlier this year and
has gone right through it to get it into tip-top running order. This included:
fresh oil and filter; new water pump; recored radiator with new Kevlar top and
bottom hoses; new fan belt; electronic ignition; new HT leads; high performance
coil; reconditioned dynamo; new battery plus various other items. The brakes and
suspension have also been checked and greased and the compressions have all been
checked and found to be satisfactory.
As you
can see in the photos, the car looks presentable and, thanks to many years
spent in sunny Texas, appears solid bodily. We are told that it drives as
well as it looks, the vendor reporting that the only known fault he is aware of
is a tendency to jump out of first gear.
Driven some 30 miles to the sale on one of the hottest days of the
year, it has been starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it
around on site, with good 50psi oil pressure.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT