Finding a clean and rust-free classic British sports car is always a pleasant experience. However, finding one that is not only original and unmolested but comes with a fully documented history is a real bonus. That is the story behind this 1967 Austin-Healey 3000. It also found its way to the US by a reasonably unusual route, making it even more interesting. The owner of this beautifully preserved sports car has chosen to part with it. If it sparks your interest, you will find the Healey located in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. Hand the owner $60,000, and you could be driving away in this beauty. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Ikey H, who has had his radar well-tuned to spot this classic for us.
The Healey is finished in Ivory White with a Black convertible top. The seller admits that the paint isn’t original. The vehicle was treated to a repaint in the 1980s following a minor fender bender. As with everything else surrounding this classic, all of this is fully documented. The Healey hasn’t had a lot of use in the intervening years, so the paint and the top are in first-class order. The original owner also chose to have the vehicle undercoated before delivery, which has helped it remain rust-free. Speaking of its delivery, the 3000 came to the US after the original owner purchased it from a dealership in Saigon. The gentleman in question was an Army Colonel, and he ordered the car as a Christmas gift for his wife. It has been well cared for, and included with the vehicle is all of the original documentation from the Vietnamese dealership. Apart from the repaint, the Healey is entirely original. The buyer ordered it with wire wheels, a luggage rack, and wing mirrors. All of these items are still present, and all seem to be in good condition. The remaining trim is in good order, and I can’t spot any issues with the glass.
The interior has received a new carpet set and new covers for the seat bases, but the rest of it is original. The backs of the seats show a few minor flaws, but I think that a competent upholsterer should be able to return the leather to its best. The dash appears to be perfect, and the remaining interior trim is in good order for a classic of this vintage. The original owner chose to add a few nice touches to the interior when he ordered the car. It features an AM radio, a cigar lighter, a heater, and an adjustable wheel.
Under the hood of the Healey, we find a 2,912cc 6-cylinder engine, which should produce 150hp. These ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission with the optional overdrive. British sports cars from this era are not renowned for their outright performance, but this one should happily romp through the ¼ mile in 16.3 seconds. The owner says that the Healey runs and drives beautifully and that it has a genuine 38,000 miles showing on its odometer. This is no idle boast because, as is the case with so much of this vehicle, it is fully documented. The sale includes all of the original paperwork from the dealership, service records, the original customs paperwork, and a current British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate.
We see a few examples of the Austin-Healey 3000 here at Barn Finds, but this has to rate as one of the cleanest and most original that I have seen for a while. At $60,000, this is not a cheap car. However, its originality and the comprehensive documentation included in the sale should justify this price. It is possible to find examples for well under $40,000, but they are generally a case of getting what you pay for. This is a classic that has only been on the market for a matter of a few days. I believe that its condition will see it attract a serious buyer fairly quickly. I’d love to think that the buyer might be amongst the people who are currently reading this article.
While I never a big fan of the smaller Healey’s I always wanted to own a big Healey. Maybe others can chime in but the color is letting this car down. One of the few cars I would consider changing the color to sacrifice originally. I would also have to convert to the Weber side draft set up to round out the pleasure of a swift drive through the countryside. Top down feeling the torque of the big six accompanied by wonderful induction noises.
Olde English White is a beautiful color in person. But I would be willing to sacrifice originality (maybe) for a different interior colour such as either red (with either white or black piping) or perhaps blue. But an all original, never restored, final year BJ-8 is a heck of a car. And the HD8 carbs are plenty. I wouldn’t put webers on it… but I would change out the starter, convert it to +ground, replace the generator with an alternator (conversion kit) and put on a spin-on oil filter.
The other option would be to leave it original and spend quite a bit to make it concourse. But me? I believe in driving them.
Looks to be a very good value at the asking although I agree with alphasud about the color and the Webers. My second favorite Brit sports car of the era behind only the E Type.
Agree on the color but the Weber gives you nothing the twin SUs can’t. Easy to tune and usually stay tuned. Original paint/color makes a big difference on the big Healey not only for a resale value but you have to take them apart to put a proper paint job on them.
This beauty is worth every penny. IMHO, the color is just fine.
A wooden dash on a healey? I’ve had four and they were all painted metal, body colour. Maybe the US specification was different. Can someone advise me?
Early 3000 models were a painted dash but around 1964 or 65 BMC thought the wood dash would increase the model’s appeal.
100-6 and early 3000 models had a dash covered in interior-color Ambla (vinyl) material. I believe the small roll at the top was leather over padding. Only the four-cylinder “Hundreds” had painted dashbaords.
As a result, my 3000 had a red dash. The planking came into use sometime during later 3000 Mk. II production I believe, and was used on all Mark IIIs.
In 1968 (I was 21 years old) I purchased a new AH Sprite (roughly around $1,700.00). The dealer had a new 1967 3000 on the showroom floor at the time. The window sticker was $3,000.00. …and I remember thinking “if I only had another $1,300.00 I could buy what I really wanted”!!!!
Love this, and I like the classic Old English White on these cars. Seen a lot of them and they look really handsome on the street in this color.
Daniel… Got a similar story. Went to the local dealer in San Antonio to see what they had. MG Midget for $1,800, MGB for $2,800, and a 289 Cobra for $4,200. Any guesses which car I wish I’d bought instead of the Midget?
Bobhess……I remember the first time I saw a Shelby Cobra. It was on Greenpoint Ave. in Woodside, Queens NY. It was a 289 in a strange brown color. I didn’t know at the time what it was….but I knew it was something special when I saw the “powered by Ford” emblem on the side fender. As it turns out, I became a Ford guy as I grew older and now have two Shelbys…..2008 Shelby GTC (only 210 were produced) and a 2016 Shelby GT350 which is every thing they say this car is……..truly amazing. Now that Ford has discontinued the 350, I can this car going no where but up in value.
In 1964 I bought a 1960 Healey 3000 Mk1 BN7 with about 25,000 miles. The owner had relocated from AZ to OH, so it was rust free etc. He was an SCCA member and has done a bit of upgrading e.g. Moto-Lita wood steering wheel and an upgraded exhaust (boy what a sweet sound). He had participated in a flying mile exercise while still in AZ and he handed me a timing sheet showing 124 mph! I drove it for over 2 years and it attracted a beautiful young lady who is still my wife!
Got my wife in a ’55 100-4. Still got her and she’s still a car girl.