In some circles, the big Healeys – like the 3000 – were sometimes referred to as “poor man’s Jaguars” as they weren’t as expensive to own. The Mark II BJ7 as a 2+2 sports car was in production from 1961 to 1963, but many of the latter would be titled in the U.S. as 1964 models. This example was in the same family for five decades and has had a bunch of work already done, but it’s still an unfinished project. Located in Grain Valley, Missouri, this Healey is available here on craigslist for $17,950. Another vintage English tip was brought to us by Barn Finder T.J.!
Austin Motor Co., which was founded in 1905, merged with Morris Motors in 1952, to form British Motor Corp. (BMC). At the same time, Austin worked out an arrangement with automotive engineer Donald Healey to create a new brand, the Austin-Healey, and a variety of sports cars. The A-H 300 came along in 1959 and was built in 1967. That included the Mark II BJ7 which was available as a 2+2 cabriolet. Those cars were powered by a 3-liter inline-6 with multiple carburetors for more power (150 hp). Out of 11,500 3000s produced, more than half, or 6,100 copies were the 2+2.
The seller’s car wears Colorado Red paint with a black interior. The canvas for the convertible top is no longer there, although the tonneau cover is new. The engine and 4-speed manual transmission are said to be original to the Healey. And lots of other things are said to date back to 1964, as well, such as the wire wheels and knockoffs. The list is rather lengthy and detailed, so there’s no need to repeat it here. The car has managed to collect 86,000 miles over the years.
We’re told this machine was a daily driver from 1972 to 1982 and then placed into storage. It stayed there until 2012 when it was pulled out and some restoration work was started, at least such that it was drivable for a time. This work included but was not limited to the electrical system, gas tank, brakes, exhaust, and other assorted parts. While other work is likely needed, attention is needed on the cosmetic side of the automobile, particularly the interior.
If this car runs someone needs to grab this one fast! Haven’t seen one of these that looked decent with that low of a price in years.
I’d like to see the undercarriage/frame, but the asking price is certainly not the moon. Obviously, it needs work, and some of it will be expensive, depending on restoration level.
The Craigslist description is annoying difficult to read, so I didn’t scrutinise it for included parts/extras.
Looks like bare sheet metal behind the pedals and in place of the passenger floor board. You’d definitely need to see the frame and outriggers before even paying this relatively small amount. Unless you just love welding.
All you can hope for here is the boxed frame the floorboards sit on wasn’t rusted out and some kind of sealer put on it.
In Australia at least, most of the 3000s with wind-up windows (if not all) are Mk3s in fact I have never seen a Mk2 like this one.
Good candidate for restoration subject to the comments from others here.
Yep — I had an AH 3000 Mk III. The Mk II had side curtains – and the Mk III had the added luxury of roll-up windows.
The 1963 was still a Mk-II. It was a transition year (know as BJ-7’s) and still had the old non-wood dash with silver gauges, but was the first year of the “convertible” (fold down top and roll-up windows) vs. the roadster (removable top and side screens). In 1964, they became Mk-III’s (BJ-8’s).
Looks like someone put some galvanized sheet metal on the front floors on both sides. Those dont look like the original floors of a southern car. Also the dash pad also has been replaced and does not match the rest of the dash.