1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Project

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This is supposedly an Austin Healey 3000, Mark I, supposedly. At this point, it probably doesn’t matter. The actual year isn’t known either though it’s likely a 1960 model. The seller tells us, “This car is in very bad condition. There is very little to work with“. No kiddin’ glad we got that out of the way. Actually, referring to it as a car is a bit of a stretch but I guess it’s better than stating, “this pile is in very bad condition”. Anyway, let’s give it the once over; Powell, Ohio is where it claims residency and it’s available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $3,500. Fortunately, there is a make-an-offer option too.

1960 A-H 3000 Mark I – Courtesy of Wikipedia

In case you have forgotten what an a Austin-Healey 3000 Mark I looks like, here you go . These were impressive performers with their 130 HP, 3.0 liter, in-line six-cylinder engines. Zero to sixty acceleration time was under eleven seconds – sound for the era.

We feature Austin-Healey 3000s on Barn Finds all of the time but I usually don’t have to be told what I’m looking at. Known as the BIG Healey, the A-H 3000s were offered between 1959 and 1967. The Mark I’s were produced in ’59, ’60 and I believe the first part of ’61 with the Mark II following on. In ’64, the Mark III continued the tradition, and like its predecessors, was available in both 2+2 and two-seater configurations. Total Mark I output exceeded 13K copies.

The seller indicates that this example is a Mark I so that’s the reason for my suggestion that this is a ’60 model. What’s not a suggestion, is its condition – it resembles scrap. Per the seller’s admission, there are some steering and suspension components that may be viable, and the frame is thought to be restorable, but that’s it. And maybe the frame is the key to what’s left, assuming that you can find an A-H 3000 owner who has a decent car but a deteriorated frame. Also, there’s no mention made of the differential but perhaps that has value too. Further added is, “Also, I can put you in touch with someone who can provide proper documentation to register the vehicle“. Register what? There’s nothing here to register. Clearly, this poor Healey looks like picked over roadkill, it was likely poached for parts long ago and this is all that’s left.

Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but it’s hard to envision a way forward for this wayward Austin-Healey. I’m not the most imaginative person out there so maybe I’m missing something, so tell me your thoughts; future viability here or fuggedaboutit?

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    $200 and seller delivers it.

    Like 9
  2. Craig Baloga Craig Baloga

    IMHO, way too far gone to attempt a even “feeble” or mediocre restoration.

    A parts car/donor car……and that is being kind.

    Like 1
  3. mark smith

    If I had a good body that needed a new frame I wouldn’t want that one.

    Like 4
    • MGSteve

      Except . . . the frames on these cars are known to rot out . . . rather badly. There is at least one company that is producing an improved version of the frame. We all know the real meaning of the word ASSUME. In this case, I will be brave and ASSUME that this “project” will need a new frame, and that’s for starters.

      Like 0
  4. D. Nieuwenhuis

    It’s a 100/6 as it has front drums.

    Like 5
  5. Slomoogee

    Unfortunately this is what the hobby has become. Pulling rusted metal out of fields and sheds, then asking 3500. Thank you Mecum Haggarty and others who have infected what used to be fun.

    Like 21
  6. mike

    Even if this was back in England they would scrap this mess.

    Like 3
  7. Shuttle Guy Shuttle GuyMember

    What a waste of ad space.

    Like 1
  8. gaspumpchas

    Start off with a better one. Nothing more expensive than a cheap (!!!) project.
    Plus its Brit-tish. Good luck.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 0
  9. Tim Jarvis

    Front drum brakes and two seater body; the remains of 100/6 bn6 maybe? A sad end.

    Like 1
  10. Tim J

    It looks like the remains of a 4 cylinder Healey 100, if it’s a bn2 then it’s a shame as it was the rarer of the earlier cars

    Like 1
    • Patrick Quinn

      Looking at the gearbox mountings, it’s a BN1.

      Like 0
      • Greg L

        Looking at the battery cable going into the trunk was a little confusing, but the interior shot behind the seats looks like the right cut out for the 100 6 volt batteries.

        Like 0
  11. Lance

    So tell me again what am I getting for $3500 ?

    Like 1
  12. Bill Lawrence

    First, there was never an Austin Healey designated as a Mark 1. What would be the point if you don’t know there will be a mark 2?

    Second, it is not a 3000. The drum brake backing plate identifies it as a 100-6. And therefore a 57-59.

    A few viable parts, otherwise more valuable as scrap.

    Like 2
  13. Bill Lawrence

    On second look the battery opening in the rear bulkhead indicates it is a two seater (BN6). Maybe a little more potential…

    Like 0
  14. dogwater

    funny

    Like 1
  15. Tim J

    It’s definitely an early 4 cylinder car, offset spare wheel aperture, xx front cross brace, solid bulkhead braces to the front suspension, 6 cylinder cars had circular cut outs, and the battery box lid had a straight bottom edge.

    Like 1
    • MGSteve

      Dang. The fact that it is one of the 4 cyl cars should, in theory, change the tone of comments . . . mine included. Any Healey person knows that the 4 cyl cars are the most desirable. Ohhhhh, I always drool in my beverage when I see that windshield folded down flat–creating one of the most beautiful profiles of a car ever. Allowing this to happen to such a car is criminal.

      Like 1
    • bobhess bobhessMember

      Good eye Tim. Might change my mind on scrapping it but not the price. Amazing what owning two 100s does to your attitude toward things.

      Like 1
  16. Bill

    Just look at all the fun were having guessing what it is. It is (or was) an Austin Healey. Or maybe a Hillman Mink.

    Like 0
  17. George Pyles

    No big healey should ever be scraped! Building one now thats not this bad but close. If one wants one he will do it either on his own or with help.they aren’t making these any longer, when they are gone thats a loss.

    Like 0
  18. Patrick Quinn

    It is an Austin-Healey 100 BN1 dating from 1953 to 1955. You can tell it’s a 100 from where the spare tyre is positioned and that is a BN1 can easily been see from the gearbox mountings.

    Like 0
  19. DA

    I should start pulling rusted hulks out of fields and woods…

    Like 0
  20. Jim ODonnellAuthor

    I used the seller’s listing description to classify this car, sounds like it was wrong. I appreciate all of your sleuthing skills in identifying this hulk.

    Thx!

    JO

    Like 1
  21. Big C

    The seller knows the buyers for fine sports cars are rather loose with their wallets.

    Like 0
  22. John Traylor

    I’d make an offer of 35 cents

    Like 0
  23. Patrick Quinn

    The Austin-Healey 100 BN1 and BN2 along with the BN6s and BN7s were fitted with twin six-volt batteries when new. The spare wheel/tyre aperture in the BN1 and BN2 is offset on the passenger side of the LHD cars and behind the driver on RHD cars. On the BN6s and BN7s of all models the spare wheel/tyre aperture is central to the car. Plus only the 100 four-cylinder cars had the little cubby hole on the left hand side of the boot where the battery cutout switch is located. This car, or remains is a BN1. You can also tell by the pancake style gearbox mountings.

    Like 0
  24. numbnuts

    You people are all out of your minds for $3500.00?????
    Worth its weight in scrap (not much weight) minus 50% for transport- time and fuel). I’ll give you $250.00 and I will need directions to the closest scrap metal yard. Sorry everybody, just having a hard time with the hobby as an affordable fun times with family and friends with the cost of the cars today. Let me get off my soapbox and watch my hobby fade into memories.

    Like 2

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