Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Austin Healey 3000 MkIII BJB
Chassis Number – HBJBL30256
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Black
Engine Type – 2.9L Inline 6-cylinder (replacement)
Gearbox – 4-speed manual
Current Mileage –64,730 miles (TMU)
Current Owner Purchase Date – 1978
Current Owner Miles Driven – 28,000

Marque and Model History

With its striking presence on the streets of England and welcomed for import to North America, the rally-winning Austin Healey 3000 reached the pinnacle of development with the Mark III. And while more than 90 percent of these stylish and sporting open cars were shipped to the US, they continued to race all over Europe, establishing win after win, long after production had ceased in 1967. Fully appointed with a powerful six-cylinder engine and multiple carburetors, the final iteration of the "Big Healey" (also known as the Phase 2) achieved 150 bhp via a new higher lift camshaft and twin SU HD8 carburetors. Power assisted brakes were also added along with a new dashboard sporting prominent instrumentation. Today, collectors all over the world continue to seek out Big Healeys for their rewarding driving manners and beautifully sculpted bodywork.

History of this Car

This is an early Phase II car with the desirable single lights and long-term ownership spanning different states of residence over 45 years. The current long-term owner enjoyed the car during his ownership and performed much of the work himself including mechanical and cosmetic repairs with parts sourced from marque specialists. The first receipt on file with the car is dated 1979, beginning in California, includes invoices from that same year from Moss Motors for steel rocker panels, and various parts, body shop invoices installing the new rocker panels, a new tonneau cover, door seals and splash apron, to name just a few of the parts purchased for the car 45 years ago. Invoices continued through the mid 1980s when the owner moved to Georgia as the restoration evolved, combining the original car with newly freshened areas and body work as needed.

In 1989, the owner moved to Minnesota and had the engine and transmission rebuilt, then showing 52,387. The Quality Coaches invoice delightfully quotes the Minnesota “winter restoration rate” of $35.00/hr, which resulted in a roughly $4,300 invoice for the engine rebuild including carb rebuilding, u-joints, brakes, and other items. Through 1990 the same company continued services on the car including suspension work, ignition parts, throttle pivot, etc. By 2013 the owner returned to California where services continued including a new battery, radiator, new tires, master cylinder and other parts as part of refreshing to bring the car to driver level use. The most recent service was 2022 with 64,544 miles when the carbs were rebuilt and adjusted, a new brake booster installed and brake fluid flushed, oil and filter service, new fuel filter, hoses replaced as needed and hose clamps replaced.

General Overview

Today, this Austin Healey presents in driver condition with visually satisfying cosmetics and very nice Mark III details. The glossy red paint shows good surfacing and smooth coverage overall. The chrome has very good luster, good overall fit to the body, and very nice reflections. The body integrity and panel fit is generally good. All trim, script, and various details are correct and nicely detailed. The painted wire wheels show some signs of age and the knock off chrome has diminished a bit over time. The wheels are shod with contemporary Nexen SB-802 165/80R15 tires of appropriate size, showing good tread, dated 2013. The stance, colors, and wire wheels deliver an appropriate sporting flavor to this low-slung roadster.

The interior is in good condition overall having been redone at various times. Correct materials and trim are applied to the seats and door panels, likely more recently reupholstered, with accenting piping, correct foam padding, and a matching set of rear seats suitable for smaller occupants. The carpeting shows some areas of use and typical wear and the foot pedals and underside dash appear original and unrestored. Instruments and switches are complete with good clarity on the faces and glass and very nicely polished perimeter chrome bezels. A set of front seatbelts have been installed and the rear top boot, while showing some signs of age, fits snugly as does the matching black tonneau cover. The convertible top is in very good condition with a clear rear window and nicely finished top bows and inner material finish. The trunk area appears to be largely original and houses a painted wire wheel spare, newer battery, and contoured vinyl trunk matting.

The engine compartment is a combination of restored engine features and original engine bay and cowl finishes. The engine compartment displays a generally harmonious factory appearance with good detail applied to all components, hardware, hoses, and lines, all of which show evidence of us but still very presentable. The correct series engine is finished with factory appropriate colors, while various engine castings are also reflective of generally good finish. The undercarriage shows typical aging and road use for a car that has been enjoyed throughout its life. Though unrestored, the finishes and components viewed in the undercarriage appear generally correct per original specifications yet showing signs of use typical for cars this age. Close inspection of the undercarriage reveals rear end damage and light front damage as well as some corrosion evident in the rocker panels.

This Mark III roadster starts, runs, and stops as one might expect. The engine idles smoothly, while the driving qualities are in keeping with the generally good standards achieved as part of the services over long-term ownership. The engine has good oil pressure, makes good power and torque, and is overall a pleasant car for enjoyable use.

Austin Healey 3000 Mk IIIs continue to be sought after for their elegant sporting nature and open-air driving experience they so easily deliver. This driver-ready Mark III is ready for the next owner to enjoy for years to come.

Included with this Car

This Austin Healey is accompanied by a black tonneau cover, a black top boot, a spare set of branded floor mats, knock off hammer, jack, tire tools, various workshop manuals, a Gunson’s Colortune adjustment kit, assorted tools, and a driver’s handbook.

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