Fantasy Junction

Description

1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mk. I BN7 2-Seater
s/n HBN7L/10160, engine no. 29D/RU-H/16596
Healey Blue with White Covers and Dark Blue Interior

The Austin-Healey 3000 cemented the company's reputation as a producer of serious, macho sports cars and epitomizes the idea of the \"Big Healey\". While the Mark III variant, with its four seat configuration, and wood dash, was sophisticated, the earlier cars, with their pared down metal dashes shared with early cars, have a purer sports car ethos. March of 1961, the Austin Healey3000 Mark II brought several changes to the already excellent 3000 Mark. I. Interestingly, the Mark II exits in two forms, easily differentiated by whether the car has wind up windows or side curtains. That change also brought a wraparound windscreen which brought a more usable and practical sports car experience. The steering box, transmission, and suspension were improved as well. All Mark IIs featured a new front grille with vertical bars as well. Optional items on the car were much like those available on the MKI cars although the option of a factory hardtop was not made available until the introduction of the BJ7 cars in 1962. An optional brake servo was also available to improve braking performance from August of 1961. The BJ7 (2+2) remained in production until the introduction of the 3000 Mark III in October 1963. The BJ7 cars offer a desirable blend between the performance and styling of the early \"big Healeys\" and the further practicality, livability and added performance of the later cars.

This particular car is a matching numbers BN7 2-seater that was restored to award-winning standards. Originally completed on 1 June 1960, the car was dispatched on 9 June as a personal export. It was originally finished in Healey blue with blue interior and top. It was thoroughly restored to high standards and completed in 2010, with engine, transmission, and suspension rebuilt at Highland Automotive by Peter Genovese, a well-regarded Healey mechanic. The bodywork was done at the body shop owned by the car’s owner, BTO Auto Works in Poughkeepsie, New York. In September 2010, the car won the Austin-Healey Concours d’Elegance category at British Invasion XX in Stowe, Vermont. In 2011, the car scored 968 points to win Concours Gold at the Healey Conclave in Colorado Springs, and many of the deductions have been corrected since. The car also completed the Colorado Grand in 2013 as well as the Copperstate 1000 in 2014. Since the restoration, the car has been properly maintained, with regular checkovers, new rear shock absorbers, regular fluid changes, and miscellaneous other items. The car has covered 4000 miles since the restoration.

The car is in excellent cosmetic condition, and the quality of the restoration is evident. The paintwork was performed to high standards over straight panels, which display very good panel fit and gaps. The paint remains fresh in appearance with a few small chips to the front of the car from road use. The chrome is excellent throughout with only the occasional minor swirls in evidence. The glass and lights are also excellent and the car is equipped with correct Lucas headlamps, as well as a pair of Lucas flamethrower fog lamps in excellent condition, although the glass lenses are mismatched.

The interior was restored to equally high standards, with excellent upholstery and carpets, both of which show excellent workmanship and essentially no wear since completion. The dashboard, instruments, and switches were also included in the restoration, and there is a universally fresh appearance to the interior, rather than having a few loose ends that might be found in a lesser restoration. The trunk was also included in the restoration, with new dark blue upholstery and restored spare with leather hold down strap.

The engine compartment was thoroughly and correctly restored and is quite clean, with only some minor soiling from road use since the restoration. Overall, the engine compartment is well-detailed and could be made show ready with minimal effort.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a high caliber Big Healey that is both event proven and a concours winner. As a 1960, it is from the last year of production eligible for prestigious events such as the Colorado Grand, and equipped with rare and desirable hardtop, the car’s suitability for event use is further enhanced. The car is matching numbers and comes with full weather equipment including soft top, tonneau, and side curtains. The car also has original period brochures, advertisements, and magazine articles, as well as photos from the restoration, tool roll with tools, jack, concours judging sheets, recent service invoices, Driver’s Handbook, and Heritage Certificate.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608