As unrestored cars get harder to find, it’s somewhat inevitable that basketcase examples like this 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 will make their way onto sites like eBay. Clearly an accident and burn victim, there’s little here that’s obviously salvageable, but then again, might an Austin-Healey enthusiast see enough in the way of potential spares that this car will be rescued? Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $5,950.
The amount of damage is somewhat staggering, from an apparent roll over (note the missing windshield frame) to a fire or long-term desert storage that consumed the whole car (all four tires melted off and obvious scorching of the paint). Whether the intent to be humorous is not possible to discern, but we had to laugh when the seller noted that the soft top frame was included.
Austin-Healey 3000s are certainly desirable cars even in basketcase form, but this one might be a bridge too far. The panels, while surprisingly straight in some areas like the rear quarters, aren’t so impossible to find that you’d consider taking this home for “straight” metal. The knockoff wire wheels are worth some money, but these need complete restoration. Are 3000s so desirable that their VINs alone command $5K (or more)?
A front end impact is also obvious, with crumpled fenders and a nose that bows out around the engine bay. Speaking of, the seller notes the manual transmission and dual carbs are included with the sale. While there’s likely a component here and there that can help a Healey restorer, is there an outside chance this entire carcass will see the light of day as a finished car?
That’ll buff out.
Ran when wrecked.
BHCC strikes again!
Looks like somebody parked it up in the BRONX.
Said it before, all the good ones have been accounted for, and this is all that’s left.
Looks like gullwing motors or bhcc
This reminds me of an editorial I read in a Hemmings magazine a couple of years ago. As cars in good original condition and decent drivers get scarcer and more costly these old wrecks are being dragged out and being put on the market. They used to refer to them as “parts cars” now they are presented as “builders.” I think that you would have to be a very talented hobbyist or body shop owner with plenty of free time on his hands to make anything out of this pile.
Price is too low to be BHCC or Gulwing.
Great lawn art for a car museum…mount on a 4×4 cube of stainless steel.
Crash and burn.
As opposed to ca$h and burn.
I thought the AH 3000 series began in 1964 as a 3000 MK 1. However,
the advertiser says this is a year 1963 3000 model?
It was possibly built in late 1963 as a “1964”?
The early 3000 MK I are rare as only about 1,290 were built, before
changing the rear suspension and exhaust and selling them as MK II.
It may explain the desirability of the “VIN” on this car if one was piecing together
what was mostly a MK II
Hey Had Two:
1960-61 – MK 1
1962-63 – MK II (tricarb in 62, 2 carbs in 63 plus roll-up windows)
1964-67 – MK III
Sorry guys, but the MK1 started in 1959. I know as I just sold my 59 MK1 built in June 1959.
The MK III came out mid 63.
Had a 1960 (first year for the 3000))1960 bn7 (two seater) loved it and have great stories for any Healey owner sitting in his/her folding chair at a local car show!
Great stories!!!
Great car!
Thanks Dad!
Have a 60 Bn7 register wise,but it was built in the summer of 59. Must have sat on the lot for a bit.!!
my 1960 3000 BN-7 came across the pond in september 1959.
boy, do I wish!!!!!!!
Ran when parked…
Sorry jimbunte, meant BJ8, Phase I
….In May 1964 the Phase II version of the Mark III was released, which gained ground clearance through a modified rear chassis. In March 1965 the car received separate indicator lights.
Is there anything worth saving besides the VIN tag?
Hahaha, thanks for giving me the laugh I needed for today. What are people thinking?
I love the patina, drop in a SBC and drive the wheels off this thing! Oops, too late.
Well, there’s patina and then there’s PATINA.
Is this one of the recent wild fire damaged cars or was this the result of the front end crash? I hope the owner survived.
He’s still in it.
Maybe pull off the rear 1/4s and the boot cover, otherwise a scrapper.
Such a deal, Take my money and just toss it into the wind it will be better invested that way.
At least you’ll only be out your initial investment that way!
great candidate for restoration?
Strong parts car?
Somebody must have a great sense of humor.
5950?
Pass the Kool-Aid….
Once a car burns like this one did, the metal warps. You’re wasting your time restoring. This is waaaaaaaay too much money to get this back to road worthy.
Barn Find, not Barn Fire…..
It’s been said I am negative 👎
So this a savable !
Beautiful!
Not a piece of sh@t!
I love it so much !
I think it’s a quick fix !
OMG I have to bid to get it!
Okay now I can’t take being PC even if it hurts someone’s feelings so everything I said is a reversal as I am lying 😇😇😇😇😜😎🤠
I have owned all the major variation of these cars, including a couple of the ultra rare two seat models. I think this could be a builder. The critical thing is how much rust and are the major structural panels around the doors bent.
The BIG Austin Healey 3000’s have absolutely no play or adjustments in the body structure. That being said it is also much stronger then you might think. All the panels that are damaged are replaceable including the front sub structure, doors and all the hardware. The big hit will be the aluminum front and rear shrouds between the fenders. Those are very complex and very expensive to replace but they are available and I have seen recently two of them and the workmanship is as close to perfect as you could wish. They went right on to the cars I saw being restored and they fit perfectly. Truly amazing.
In terms of purchasing for parts I think you could easily sell the parts alone for 3 to 4,000 Dollars. DO NOT SELL THE WHEELS. The temper of the spokes and the rims is highly questionable and you can get new ones that would be far less hassle and less of a legal liability.
I know from the look of it the job seems impossible but I can assure you it is a real potential project. I really love Healy’s. If you want to see what one of the best of them is like in a video look up TEARS FOR FEARS video of I WOULD LIKE TO RULE THE WORLD. That car looks exactly like my last one as do many of the scenes as I was often in the Southern California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado areas traveling with it. Great time.
Will the new owner be able to make a profit. If he does the work largely himself, I think he might. The engine is almost certainly fine as is the transmission The critical question is the structure. The surface rust is easily removed chemically and if primed right away you have a great structure to work with.
Easy, NOT A CHANCE, Worth doing, Yea, not easy, not simple, certainly not quick but if all the parts are there more than possible. I hope if finds a good home. The seller I have real problems with as they seem to be high priced junk sellers with a seriously haughty attitude but from time to time they do come up with something good. I think it is more by accident then real effort but who knows.
Any parts on this thing would be compromised by the fire if it was hot enough to melt the tires off.
I passed on one for $200 years ago that someone had stuffed a small block ford in, and butchered the hubs to accept stud mounted wheels. I bought a running spitfire for a few dollars more. The Healey sat in the weeds a couple more years and I think it was eventually scrapped. If only…..
and what are we going to do with this pile?
At least the Pikes Peak cliff tumbler didn’t burn….hope the driver was OK
I want my pop can to be made out of this please. Thank you.
The seller has obviously lost their calendar. It’s not April 1 yet.
Oh please, thanks for the pic, I guess
Fried Austin is not on my menus. Thanks
Mount what is left of the body on the nearest lifted S10 Blazer/Bronco II chassis and don’t forget some giant tires
One could just get Big 4×4 jacked and strap this to the bottom for a Rock skid plate 😭
Ideal unit for midnight auto supply Legal vin and title plus a borrowed car to restore . It’s been done before.
My very first thought was, “BHCC” – they do not disappoint.
To their credit most of us recognize this type of thing as their handiwork – sort of like a serial killer whose M. O. never varies.
Always good for a laugh.
On the conveyor belt up to the crusher. Who here is a belt climber ??
Shouldn’t be legal to sell something that destroyed.
Absurdity requires no comment.
It looks like someone hit the stop button on the car crusher at the three second mark.
Really?!
Would make a good liberty mutual commercial
#sad