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Franken-Healey: 1960 Austin Healey 3000

1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mki Front Corner

This Big Healey is a rather unique find that has been sitting in a garage for the last 40 years or so. As you can tell at first glance, something isn’t right with the fenders, but we will get into that in a minute. This 1960 Austin Healey 3000 is located in Oakland California could end up being a bargain and is currently listed on eBay with a current bid of $1,025.

1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mki Rear Fender

Our biggest concern with this car is the custom work that has been done to it. One of the previous owners was a machinist and customized the car in the ’70s, but never finished it. The front fenders have been flared considerably and don’t look quite right. The rear fenders were also flared, but not as drastically. The modifications looks extensive and it may take a lot of work to reverse them. It may be a good idea to just finish what was started.

1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mki Custom Hood

One of the few custom pieces that we actually like is this custom louvered hood. The work on the hood looks to be good, but it’s starting to get rusty. The boot lid and doors are with the car and are in good shape, but are off the car.

1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mki Front

Another positive feature of this car is its rebuilt BJ8 engine. The BJ8 came in the later 3000 Mk IIIs and was the most powerful of the engines used in the 3000. We don’t know if the engine was upgraded when it was rebuilt, but a standard BJ8 straight six should produce around 150 hp.

1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mki Hardtop

We usually aren’t fans of modifying classic cars, but since this one has already been messed with you might as well finish it as you wish. If the modifications to the body aren’t too rusty or poorly done, we would be tempted to leave them. Even if the car can’t be brought back to life, there are still a lot of good and valuable parts on this car that would make it worth getting.

Comments

  1. Avatar Ron Southan

    The wind wings alone are worth ten dollars.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar clarke

    I think it’d make a great project.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Richard Van Hoose

    Looks like an E-Type rear axle has been installed.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Joe Herald

    That passenger side front fender flare appears to have been done by someone with major sheet metal skills. It looks pretty well made and from many cut and curved pieces. A lot of labor hours went into this fabrication. It doesn’t seem that the drivers one was done likewise.

    Like 0

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