Classic British sports cars enjoy a strong following in the current market, particularly if they feature a known and documented history. This 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BN7, spotted by my offsider, Russell Glantz, ticks that box admirably. It presents well, having recently undergone a comprehensive mechanical revival, making it a turnkey proposition. The only thing this Healey needs is a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Spring House, Pennsylvania. The seller set their price at $41,150 with the option to make an offer.
Austin-Healey introduced the 3000 in July 1959, offering buyers a choice of the two-seat BN7 or the 2+2 BT7. Our feature car is the former, produced in 1960. The seller indicates that it is a three-owner classic, with comprehensive documentation of the car’s history. This history included a repaint, performed a few years ago by a previous owner, utilizing a non-original Blue-Gray paint shade. There is little about the Healey’s appearance justifying criticism. The contrasting White soft-top is new, and while it is wrinkled, I believe that a few hours raised in the sun would address that issue. The paint retains a pleasant shine, and there is no evidence of dings, dents, or rust. This is unsurprising because the seller indicates that this classic has been garage-kept throughout its life. The trim and glass look extremely nice, as do the iconic wire wheels.
The seller supplies no engine images, although it appears this classic is mechanically original. That means that power comes from a 2,912cc BMC C-Series six, inhaling via a pair of what the factory describes as semi-downdraft S.U. HD6 carburetors. That year’s Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 130hp and 175 ft/lbs, fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. We have reached the point where the seller has spent a considerable amount on this classic. The listing suggests they revived it after an undefined hibernation. The process included a specialist transmission rebuild and the replacement of an extensive list of brake and suspension components, gaskets, belts, and other items. The results justified the expense, as documented by invoices and receipts, because potential buyers can consider this a turnkey proposition.
The Healey’s interior is trimmed in Dark Blue with contrasting White seat piping. The dash features an array of gauges and switches typically found in a British sports car, and in-car entertainment is provided by a vintage AM radio. The presentation is extremely tidy for a car of this vintage, consistent with one that has always been treated respectfully. There is no significant wear or other problems, and if treated kindly, it should remain very presentable for many years.
Considering its history and documentation, the seller’s price for this 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BN7 looks competitive when compared to recent successful sales. It is the type of classic that the buyer can enjoy immediately, and it appears that this will remain the case for many years. Surprisingly, it has generated virtually no interest since hitting the market. The Listing View figure of seven is, to be diplomatic, extremely modest. The same number of people have added the Healey to their Watch List, although there may be a reason for this. The seller has listed the Healey at a moment when people are focused on family and friends, leaving little time for classic hunting. I suspect that the interest will intensify shortly as most people’s lives return to normal. Do you agree?
Go to the selling dealer’s website for a couple of engine bay photos, admittedly neither is very revealing. Four seat Healeys do not draw strong prices these days, but this one should find a home.
I agree, the fizz done fizzled on these several years back. For a spell, big Healeys were close to 6 figures, a trend that gradually decreased for many reasons. I equate the mindset not unlike to VW buses. I think once the nostalgia wore off, they simply weren’t that nice. Same here. Personally, I think the big Healey is the coolest car to come to US. Better than a Jag,,,well, almost. I was lucky enough to experience that 1st hand, my brother had a ’58/100-6. It embodied everything a British sports car nut could want. Low clearance, no heat,( except on the drivers side sitting on the exhaust pipes) rough ride, iffy handling and brakes, wire wheels ( and flats) a glorified truck motor, ( that sounds awesome) constant tinkering,,,,it’s beautiful! I just don’t see that kind of interest today.
This is a BT7! Not a BN7!
thanks for pointing this out – I sent seller a note on eBay as well!!
True. And, despite the headline, it is also an Austin-Healey.
Wonderful cars. My father bought a new BT7 in 1960, and put the best part of a half-million miles on it before handing it to me. I ran up maybe 50,000 more before having to pass it to a new owner. In that time, it had normal service and the engine was rebuilt twice.
A wonderful, wonderful car. Letting go of it was my biggest mistake. This one seems fairly priced today, though I’d deduct for non-standard paint and want to check the chassis VERY carefully for rust and other damage. Minimal ground clearance means a lot of scuffs, scrapes and dents on the underside.
The 2 ’55 100 4s we owned in the late ’60s and early ’70s were as much fun as you can get out of cars. Just sitting around and looking at those smooth body lines was as good as driving them. Future wife and crew chief loved them too. Finding a pretty lady who likes sports cars is a rare find.
Can’t afford a nice XKE? Here’s your car, IMHO the next best thing. A classic bonafide certified British sports car complete with all the trimmings you’d expect and all the warts you expect as well. Seeing this, I remember a time when you couldn’t go a day without seeing an MG, Triumph or Austin Healey on the road (or the side of the road), or even a Sunbeam. About the only thing you’ll see on our streets today, that is at most a very distant relative, is a Miata.
All it needs is its COVES finished in IVORY : While it’s painted in a darker color blue than the traditional “Healy Blue”, it would look sharper with a two tone paint job. If I had any extra money left over, a set of CHROME WIRES would be the icing on the cake! (The existing white piping would tie it all together)
Those curves! What a beauty.
That’s what gets to me. Something in those lines. A friend has one in his shop gutted for restoration so firewall forward is dismantled and just body and its in faded red primer. For some reason and it must be the that rear quarter I could put that in my living room under glass for a coffee table to stare at.
it takes a few tries (BT?, BN?, Healey?) to get it correct but I suspect like the price target – these demographics are going by (like myself @ 73 y/o). One of the few Brits I wrenched in the day (mostly Italian) even saw them w/ford bent8). Never would of thought “40 thousand” but like the Tiger, MGB GT and others a thrill for the kid I was. Never made it to the Jag, the 300SL or 507, the Lambo or Maserati levels. Never will…
Brings back memories of of a BN7 my sister and I had from ’64 to ’67. She bought it ’64, drove it to Chicago where it broke down and I ended up being a half owner by paying for the repairs and shipping it back to Oregon.(The car in the picture is a BT7 4 place roadster and not the BN7 2 place) Also, I don’t believe the comment about no heater is correct because one evening with myself and 2 young ladies in the car I had to stop abruptly and the girl sitting on the tunnel jammed here knee into the heater controls and had to get stitches. While I was more into (and in fact owned) American V-8 muscle, I loved that little car,
Hi oldrodder, I didn’t mean that literally, it was equipped with a heater, but the Brits aren’t exactly known for their heaters, my MGB barely defrosted the windscreen. I’m sure their logic there is, you have no business driving this wonderful car below 50 degrees anyway! :)
Good point. Probably the same logic that they applied to windows. If you need more than 1/8″ thick plastic, you should not be driving it.
i had driven a few austin healeys in the mid to late 60s, an enjoyed them all. Even more so than the tr4 1964 I owned, which overheated and cracked the block. More recently, am on my 3rd jaguar, now a 2006 xkr which is exceptional and a wonderful cruiser with no problems and amazing head turning abilities. But he austin Healey, Oh yes, an the 2 MGAs I had were just so much fun! Yet you can buy a 1997 to 2006 xk8 for under $20000 readily. And you should.
Excellent! I had the pleasure of looking after a friend’s 3000 for 5 months and I really enjoyed driving and, sometimes, just starting it and looking at it. To me, and to follow Howard, the XKE is my number one English car (had two of them), followed by the 3000, and then the MGTF. I would be more than happy with either of these, and they were, in my opinion, the height of styling, mechanical ingenuity, snd cool English factor. The only bright side is that a lot of us are timing out and once the 3000 and MGTF lose their “investment” value the prices will fall and they may be affordable to buy, but not restore, for a lot of younger folks. I certainly hope so
Is that the same type car that was in The Birds movie, The woman drove looks like it
Back in the mid 80’s I had arrived at a point where I could afford a toy and the big Healey was a burning desire. Then,Tears for Fears released “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and values skyrocketed overnight because Curt Smith drove one in the video. Curses MTV! So, I ended up with a TR7 drop top.
I loved the big Healys until my boss (at the time) pointed to one that had experienced an engine compartment and under dash fire and told me the owner wouldn’t sport to the cost of a new harness. I spent emtirely too much of my life on my back under that dash.