This 1964 Austin Healey 3000 sounds like a barn finds of sorts, as despite its long-term hiatus from the road, it’s doesn’t sound like the car was completely forgotten about. The seller notes it was parked in 1994 and has been in the same spot ever since, but that they have already gotten it to running since listing it for sale. The listing also mentions that it comes with many new parts and other work already done, but it’s unclear as to whether that work happened before 1994 or more recently. You can find the Austin Healey here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $35,000 or best offer.
The 3.0L “Big Healeys” were tremendously popular sports cars in the United States when new. There’s always a few of them at various car shows where imported makes are welcome, and for good reason: they look like a proper sports car, and sound even better. I remember seeing one in person for the first time and being amazed at how low-slung they were. This example appears to have decent chrome, along with the standard-issue knock-off wheels. I can’t put an age on the tires, but they don’t exactly look new. No major body damage is evident. The top photo shows a tired but complete soft top; does it keep the cabin dry?
Based on this photo, if the top has failed, it didn’t happen while the Healey was still seeing regular use. It looks too complete and dry inside to have been letting dampness swamp the cabin. The seller doesn’t provide much in the way of information about the status of things inside the car, but the seats look bette than I was expecting, and the same goes for the door panels. As is fairly typical of cars of this vintage, the wood dash fascia has succumbed to the ravages of time, weather, or both. The good news is the dash pad doesn’t appear to be cracked and the carpets match the seats, so hopefully this means it’s original.
The seller notes it has 82,000 miles. While it does start and run, they have not made an attempt to drive it. The market for Big Healeys has been strong for years, and the seller seems to suggest there’s money to be made on a car like this. Truth be told, if rust is a non-factor, they may be right – a car like this, that primarily needs mechanical sorting to come back to life, may not be an endless money pit. But should you spend $35,000 before you even turn your first bolt on the project? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
No way 35K until you can see underneath. Even then, lots of work and money ahead but it appears to be a good basis for restoration.
This car has been sitting for over 25 years and alot of things dry out and seize up over those years. Even though it looks like a fairly nice car from pictures, it will need to be gone through from front to back before I took it out on the road.
Don’t get me wrong, this car is worth saving all day long, but I would put the price closer to 22-25K for it knowing what work needs to be done.
Mike B
59 AH 3000
This is an early example of the BJ8 series with the straight through chassis and external features of the BJ7.
Peter
Australia
One word. Overpriced!
Correct…. Half!
Well OK yes overpriced for the project it is, more picture would be helpful very early glass lamp BJ-8 basically a continuation BJ-7 to BJ-8 notice the none locking door handles, I would like to know if its a push button start example ?? It has had some stuff done to it as it missing plastic beading under the lamps in front, the finishers behind the door top moldings are missing so I agree its easily 10K above value at this stage in the game !! T
I think low 20 is max on this car. At 100.00 per hour ( if lucky) that is only 100 hours to restore. A little over 2 weeks worth of work. Not enough, plus any parts. The car would add up quickly. Could be up in the 50000. range real quick. It would have to be a special car before I take a chance. I have restored several and it depends how far you want to take it.
A huge number of these cars were restored to a state that the British never even aspired to twenty years ago, probably more than the original 551 of them in metallic golden beige. The demand for 3000s is shrinking every day. The market will correct before a restoration started today is complete.
Thats that’s a nice looking Healy, but I guarantee, the top leaks, along with the crankcase. It is a British sports car, after all. Art
13500, no more as it needs a full resto and anyone knows what that costs and that’s without the two years it’ll take an individual to do it.
One of the reasons I will never be a wealthy speculator is that I don’t speculate well. Back in the late ’70’s I could have bought a really nice 3000 for $1,500. I passed. I could have bought a ’63 Vette for $3500. I passed. I did keep my ’68 Spitfire though, which rusted away…
“Rust never sleeps” 1/16” box frame in 1964 English steel…a Healey restore is based on the frame (in my opinion) so to set an honest restorable value the frame has to be inspected carefully….IF the frame is ok then one can go forward and offer/pay what they think its worth…35,000.00? Nope
My neighbor has a 67 3000 in a tin garage since the 70’s
Original owner and Nothing was wrong with it when parked
I saw it about 12 years ago
Beautiful black/ maroon original car and I’m sure it has very low mileage though I can’t remember
I offered him 20k 2 years ago and he didn’t really reply (strange, alcoholic guy with money-both parents recently passed away)
Louisiana car forever so probably only surface rust
Value of this car?