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Jan 11 2018 by Richard Dredge

Austin-Healey 3000 Buying Guide

A decent big Healey makes for brilliant driving, and
it’s a great investment, too. Yet solid specimens are
rarer than you might think; here’s how to nd a good
one

How much to pay

• Project £25,000-27,500 • Good £45,000-75,000 • Concours £80,000-90,000

Overview

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Practicality ★★★
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Running costs ★★★
Spares ★★★★
DIY friendly ★★★
Investment ★★★
Desirability ★★★★

For many classic enthusiasts, the big Austin-Healey sums up the great British sports car. The
3000 with its torquey 3.0-litre C-series straight-six is the cream of the crop. Even if the
roadster drove like a pig, you’d buy one just for the looks – but, of course, it doesn’t drive like
a pig, although the experience could be described as somewhat ‘vintage’.

The heat soak from the exhaust can make the cabin uncomfortably warm, the primitive hood
of earlier models is a pain to erect and the steering is heavy. Yet that’s what makes the 3000
so charming and so much fun – it’s not an anodyne experience.

A whole raft of big Healeys were built between 1953 and 1968, but for many enthusiasts the
original is far from being the model of choice. For those fans, only the 3000 will do; the Healey
that was hurled down forest tracks by Timo Mäkinen, or driven at breakneck speeds by the
Morley brothers on events such as the Tulip Rally.

While the Healey 100 was a looker, it was the 3000 that could be driven at 120mph for miles
on end (at least in MkIII form), and with its smooth straight-six it had the sort of low-down grunt
that lesser sports cars just couldn’t muster. Over the past few years, big Healeys have risen in
value to the point where they’re now out of reach for the casual enthusiast. Many are in the
hands of collectors, so should you be competing for a slice of the action? We reckon so;
here’s how to do it without getting your fingers burned.

Your AutoClassics Austin-Healey 3000 inspection checklist

Engine
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All of these Healeys were fitted with a 2912cc straight-six. It’s a truck-derived unit that’s as
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unstressed as they come, which is why 200,000 miles between rebuilds is a breeze. That’s
just as well, because it’s not a cheap powerplant to overhaul.

Coolant weeps between the head and block are par for the course, but it’s possible to modify
the waterways to eliminate this. Most owners don’t bother, though; they just keep the coolant
level topped up, as the rate of loss is very low. A compression check will highlight any
problems, too, while it’s also worth checking that the oil and coolant haven’t mixed.

Oil consumption tends to be quite high; up to 250 miles per pint. On the move, oil pressure
should be 45-50psi, dropping to 10-15psi at idle. Overheating isn’t a problem on properly
maintained cars, but the waterways can get silted up. If the engine runs hot this is probably
why, although incorrectly set ignition timing or a sludged-up radiator will have the same effect.

Because the Healey sits so low, the exhaust gets damaged easily. The 3000 MkIII sits slightly
higher, but all big Healeys are susceptible to pipe damage.

CLASSIC CARS FOR SALE NOW

SAVE SEARCH SEE ALL

1955 Austin 1967 Austin 1965 Austin 1960 Austin-

Healey 100-4 Healey 3000 Healey 3000 Healey 3000 MK
BN2 For sale | 10 Apr 2… Mark III BJ8 I for Sale
For sale | 12 Apr 2… £ 57,500 For sale | 26 Jan 2… For sale | 09 Jan 2…
€ 48,750 $ 62,995 $ 52,500

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Gearbox LOGIN

All 3000s came with an Austin Westminster-sourced four-speed transmission, with optional
overdrive. These gearboxes are tough, but a lack of synchromesh on first gear can lead to
worn or missing teeth. If the overdrive isn’t working there’s probably an electrical fault, which
should be easy to fix.

Rear axles leak oil, which then seeps from the end of the axle casing onto the brake linings.
Replacing the seal is a half-hour job, but if the brake linings and axle need attention, too,
things will be more involved.

Suspension and brakes

Front damper mountings can work loose and lever-arm dampers can leak. The cam-and-peg
steering box might also be incontinent, but if oiled regularly these don’t need rebuilding – see
if the box is running low on oil. If the steering feels loose, the kingpins are probably worn;
these should be greased every service.

Make sure the rear springs aren’t sagging, because the ground clearance is tight as it is. If the
car is sitting too high at the back, the springs have probably been replaced. Remanufactured
springs on BJ8s can take a while to settle, leading to a jacked-up look.

All Healey 3000s got drum brakes at the rear with discs at the front. Only the 3000 MkIII got a
servo as standard, but one was optional on the 3000 MkII; they’re worth having, although the
anchors are good as they are.

Bodywork
The big Healey’s weak spots are the chassis and bodywork, because of either rust or impact
damage (or both). The ladder-frame chassis is simple, but can be damaged with the slightest

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knock, so see whether the main rails are straight and check the car doesn’t pull to one side
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with no steering input.

Chassis corrosion is also a problem, especially in the main rails and outriggers. The latter
support the sills, and mud thrown up gets trapped between the two, then eats away at both
chassis and body.

Beware of bodged chassis and floorpan repairs. Because the floorpans and bulkhead are
welded to the chassis, many people won’t effect a proper repair. The bottom nine inches of the
car are susceptible to rot, which means floorpans, sills, wings and wheelarches need careful
inspection. Inner sills are structural and difficult to repair. These need to be checked from
inside the car, but carpeting can make inspection tricky.

The front shroud (around the bonnet, headlamps and grille) is particularly difficult to restore
properly, as it consists of several curved alloy sections welded together. It’s not rust-prone, but
parking knocks can wreak havoc with the soft shroud; it gets dented just by leaning against it.

The rear section can be the same, and filler is likely to be present – although the single-
skinned panels make spotting plod easy. Just lift the bonnet or bootlid, and you’ll be able to
immediately see whether there are any big dents that have been filled.

Standard front and rear wings were steel, but replacements are also available in aluminium.
Fitting alloy panels reduces corrosion – both electrolytic and water induced – but they get
dented easily.

If the swage line that runs from behind the front wheelarch to the rear wing isn’t consistent
where it meets or leaves the door
door, the car has probably been poorly restored. Also, see how
well the doors
door open and shut when the car is jacked up at its rearmost point. The chassis
should be strong enough to not flex when subjected to this – if the door gaps close up at all,
the chassis is weak.

Interior
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Re-importing big Healeys from the US has been popular over the years. Although such cars
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will probably be in good condition bodily, the sun will have taken its toll on the interior. Dash
tops and seats are the first to suffer, so make sure these haven’t been poorly repaired.

On many cars, bits of trim are missing because they were left off during restoration. Although
most things are available, much of it is expensive. Make sure you add up the cost of replacing
these parts before you make an offer.

Off-the-shelf trim kits don’t always fit particularly well, as there are often small differences
between one car and another. The only way of trimming a car really well is to tailor all the
carpets and panels.

History
1959: Austin-Healey 3000 goes on sale with a vertically slatted grille and two-seater (BN7) or 2+2
(BT7) options. Wire wheels and overdrive are optional.

1961: 3000 MkII arrives with a new grille, revised bonnet air intake, fresh badging and triple 1 ¼-
inch SU carburettors. The latter would be replaced by twin SUs within a year, with the introduction
of the BJ7.

1962: 3000 gets a curved windscreen, wind-up windows and a folding hood. Unofficially known as
the MkIIa, there’s also extra soundproofing and the engine reverts to 3000 MkI spec: two SU HS6
1 ¾-inch carbs and a revised camshaft. Options include a brake servo, wire wheels, heater and
overdrive.

1964: 3000 MkIII appears with a walnut dash, 2-inch SUs, separate indicators front and rear plus
a new camshaft. The exhaust is rerouted with two silencers under the nearside sill, there’s a
stronger clutch and a brake servo is now standard.

AutoClassics says…
The Austin-Healey 3000 has always been desirable, but in recent years this has led to
collectors snapping up many examples and treating them as an investment. This has put
further pressure on values, leading to an upward spiral in asking prices.

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As a result you now need deep pockets to purchase a really good big Healey, but as long as
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you buy well these are cars that still represent good value. Not only are they great fun to drive,
but the muscular six-cylinder engine also means the 3000 makes a superb long-distance
cruiser.

Most 3000 buyers want the later models; the MkIIa and MkIII fetch a premium over the MkI
and MkII thanks to their improved weather protection. Examples that have been
sympathetically upgraded are also sought after: breathed-on engines, the fitment of overdrive
and stronger brakes are all worth having. But even if the car is exactly as it left the factory, it’ll
be an absolute blast to own and you’ll love every drive.

Speci cations
Austin-Healey 3000 MkI

  Power 124bhp

  Top speed 114mph

  0-60mph 11.4sec

  Economy 18mpg

Austin-Healey 3000 MkII

  Power 132bhp

  Top speed 114mph

  0-60mph 10.9sec

  Economy 20mpg

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Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII LOGIN

  Power 150bhp

  Top speed 121mph

  0-60mph 9.8sec

  Economy 24mpg

After an Austin-Healey 3000 for sale?

You'll find plenty of Austin-Healey 3000s in the AutoClassics classifieds

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1955 Austin 1967 Austin 1965 Austin 1960 Austin-

Healey 100-4 Healey 3000 Healey 3000 Healey 3000 MK
BN2 For sale | 10 Apr 20… Mark III BJ8 I for Sale
For sale | 12 Apr 20… £ 57,500 For sale | 26 Jan 2… For sale | 09 Jan 2…
€ 48,750 $ 62,995 $ 52,500

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