For the past 41 years, this seller has kept this 1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 stashed away. As a matter of fact, it looks like they have several other interesting finds stored away with it! While this one looks like a project, these big Healeys are quite sought after and this one looks to be solid, making this seem like a very worthwhile project to tackle. You can find it here on eBay in Dayton, Ohio with a current bid of $12,000 and no reserve! Special thanks to Ikey H for this tip.
The 3000 went through a number of changes during its eight-year run, which created some confusing nomenclature. The earliest examples are known as Mark I BN7 for two-seaters and BT7 for 2+2s and were both roadsters. In 1961, engine improvements and a new grille lead to the Mark II. A year later, a convertible top was added to the lineup, called the BJ7 Mark II. Then in 1964, the roadsters were dropped from the lineup, the engine was upgraded yet again to offer more power and the name was updated to BJ8 Mark III. Well, if that wasn’t confusing enough for you, in May of ’64, the BJ8 Mark III Phase II was introduced, which came with more ground clearance. I’m sure they could have come up with a more confusing naming system had they tried. On the upside, this is one of the final examples built making it a Mark III Phase II, which means you will have the more powerful engine and more creature comforts than an earlier example.
Speaking of the engine, the seller claims that they had it running just last year. These 2.9 liter inline-6 engines are known to be fairly robust, so getting it running shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. With the various updates that were made to the C-Series engine by the time the MK III PH II was introduced, horsepower was up to 150 and torque was rated at 165-foot lbs. With a total weight just over 2,600 pounds, this is enough power to be fun, but not so much as to make it a handful to drive.
These final cars are also the most luxurious of the 3000s, with a well-appointed interior (at least by Big Healey standards). This one is clearly in need of restoration work, but it’s complete. Looking it over, you can tell it’s very much a BMC product, but that means it will also be much more affordable to restore than say a Jaguar E-Type. The seats and other soft components actually look like they could be reused, but it definitely needs new carpets. The wooden dash is looking sad as well, but you might be able to refinish it. Although new replacement panels are cheap enough that might be more time and cost-effective to just replace them.
The seller claims that this car is quite rust free and it does appear to lack the rust issues we often see with these cars. If it really has been parked in their garage for the past 41 years, it really shouldn’t have rust issues, but you’ll still want to give it a closer look. Given what these cars are going for these days, how high do you think bidding will go for this project?
If that’s a rust free car then they need to do something about the metal eating termites in the garage before it falls down…..
I think what they meant was the rust is free when you buy.
Never heard of metal eating termites, love it!!!!!
This foil paper Carpenters used to use under aluminium side. Termites will eat it. The old roof sideing –that looked like brick sideing–termites will eat it. I know. I worked on a house and couldn,t believe it. This car looks like the rust ate a hole in front of the rear wheel,but I guess the rust done left. I didn,t see any rust. I,ll bet under it. It looks bad.
Had a BN7 for a year back in early 70s. Worked on it all the time to keep it going just a 10 yr old car then.
Tough to know how rusty a when half the panels are aluminum. One problem with these are the frames rot from the inside. I remember at one event on Cape Cod many years ago a guy running his car in an autocross course and all of a sudden the car folded in half as the frame broke in 2.
I bought a 1967 in 1974 or so, non running from the original owner. I had it until 1998. It was also in Ohio. This one will have plenty of rust. mine was BRG. The white with blue interior was rare.
It’s the same old story; this car is probably worth restoring with massive injections of time money and labor. Of all the 50 or 60 cars I’ve owned, the 1967 AH 300 was my wife’s favorite. Thank goodness it’s 1200 miles away.
Maybe they have goats. Goats eat steel bean cans. Maybe one of them fell in love with the taste of aluminum and started munching on the right rear fender.
2 goats out behind a film studio eating a cannister of an old movie. One: That was good, how’d you like it? Other: OK but I liked the book better. :-) Terry J
Had a Mk 2 back circa 1971, loved it. The Mk 3 had roll up windows, a vast improvement over the removable side curtains with the scratched up sliding plexiglas windows that pretty much eliminated the trunk space when stowed. Oh, yes they still had a positive ground electrical system with Lucas brand components. The old joke, funny only to Limey car enthusiasts: Why do the British drink warm beer? Answer: Because they have Lucas refrigerators. Ha ha. :-) Terry J
The prospective buyer better be careful as market pricing for these is sinking faster than normal. A pristine 3000 can be found for $30K and drivers for a lot less. They used to be $60K or better a few yeatrs ago. The older drivers are passing on, so the cars value is passing on also. I have worked on British iron for 50+ years, all makes, now retired, and tired.
When Barrett Jackson saw this price reduction with 1957 Tbirds they called it “aging out” .
Appears to me that the red car parked nearby this one is also a 3000?
Your comments sort of pan the earlier models. FWIW, the earlier models are much more of a true sports car. The 4 cylinder cars are more valuable than these later cars, IMHO. Yes, if you like walnut burl dash, roll up windows, consoles, deeply contoured and padded seats, more buttons and lights, a real convertible top, then these later models are your cuppa tea. If you want more of the pure Healey driving experience, the 100-4s, 100-6s and roadsters up to about ’60 are the ticket. My 2 cents.