1960 Austin-Healey 3000 MKI news, pictures, and information

Deluxe Roadster
Chassis Num: HBT7L6994

This 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 MKI BT7 Sports Convertible was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $90,000 - $100,000. It was offered without reserve, which worked well for the buyer who purchased this car for $71,500 including buyer's premium.

This car has an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine with two SU HD6 carburetors capable of producing 124 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear. It is the product of a complete frame-off, no-expense-spared restoration and repainted in its original color scheme of Vanilla over Ebony.

There were around 16,000 examples of the four-cylinder Austin-Healeys built over a four-year period. It was a vehicle that was successful in both competition and in the commercial scene.

Deluxe Roadster
Chassis Num: HBJ7L18025

Donald Healey and Leonard Lord of Austin Motors saw the success of their British based sports cars producers, especially in the America marketplace, and figured out a way to capitalize and exploit its commercial opportunities. During a four-year period of time, around 16,000 examples of the four-cylinder Austin-Healey's were produced. The 3000 was introduced in 1959 and brought with it a 2639cc engine and disc brakes in the front.

This example is a 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MKII BJ7 Convertible that has been treated to a complete and comprehensive restoration from the ground-up. It is finished in its original Colorado Red with two-stage urethane in two separate applications giving it extra depth and color. The interior features a leather-covered dash and seats upholstered in Ambla leather with red piping. Its 2912cc engine produces 132 horsepower which is mated to a four-speed manual gearbox.

In 2008 this 3000 MKII was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $80,000 - $90,000. It was offered without reserve which worked well for the buyer who purchased this car for $62,700 including buyer's premium.

View more photos
Deluxe Roadster
Chassis Num: 7L/13037
Engine Num: 29D-RU-H24507

When the Austin-Healey 100 was introduced, it was the only car being produced by the newly-formed partnership between Leonard Lord and Donald Healey. It was introduced around the same time as the Triumph TR2 and both cars satisfied the needs of a world seeking a suitable road-going sports car. The 3000 was introduced in the spring of 1959 and came as either a two- or 2+2-seater models.

This Austin-Healey 3000 MKI BNT is fitted with a 2912cc inline six-cylinder overhead valve engine with twin SU carburetors. There is a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive and disc brakes in the front. It was found in the care of a long-time owner living in Colorado. It has been recently given a restoration to concours standards and re-finished in its original color of black over red. The car rides on new 60-spoke chrome wire wheels fitted with new knock-offs and radial tires.

In 2009, this 3000 MKI BN7 was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $99,000, including buyer's premium.

The Austin Healey 100 was introduced in October of 1952 at the Earls Court Motor Show. The first Austin Healey 100's were known as 100-4 or BN1. The name 100 came-about by being able to break the 100 mph barrier. The BN also had meaning. The B represented the engine class which meant it had between 2000 and 3000 cc. The N represented the body-style configuration, two-seat and open-top. The 100 was powered by a A90, 2660 cc, four-cylinder engine capable of producing 94 horsepower. The manual three-speed transmission was also borrowed from the A90. However, the first gear was blocked off and was fitted with overdrive on the second and third gears to provide extra power.
The name 'Austin Healey' was formed by a partnership comprising of the designer, Donald Mitchell Healey, and the manufacturer, Austin.

During its total production cycle, 10,688 examples of the BN1 were produced.

In October of 1955, the BN2 was introduced. The BN2 was similar to the BN1 in design but now featured larger drum brakes and a new four-speed transmission with overdrive.

During its production run, 3,924 examples of the BN2 were produced.

The Austin Healey 100S was produced in limited numbers, only 55. Their primary purpose was for competing in racing and rally events as well as for development and marketing purposes. They were entered into races such as Sebring, Mille Miglia, and Le Mans. They were copies of special factory test car that Stirling Moss raced in the 1954 12-hour Sebring race where he placed third. The 100S's were produced at the Healey Warwick factory and most were decorated with the American racing colors, white and blue. Of the 55 that were built, only 10 remain unaccounted for. The 100S, when compared with the 100, featured Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels, different cylinder head and internal engine modifications, four-speed gearbox without overdrive, and a light-alloy body shell.

The 100S was followed by the 100M. The 100M was a Le Mans variation of the BN2 with an increased horsepower rating of 100-110. It featured bigger carburetors and modified distributor. Valve springs and anti-roll bars were added to the suspension. During its production run, 1100 of the Le Mans BN2's were produced.

Over time, about 100 BN2 were later modified but in order to qualify for the Le Mans configuration the vehicles needed to meet specific standards. These standards included a 1.75 inch H6, SU carburetors, cold air box and air tube, Le Mans regulation strap and a factory style louvered hood.

The four cylinder engine was used from 1952 through 1956, after which a BMC six-cylinder engine was used. The car was dubbed the '100 Six'. Three years and a few engine modifications later, the car was named the '3000' and today is known as the 'Big Healey'. Over the production lifespan of the 3000, it could be assembled with multiple options such as a two-seater or 2+2, hard-tops, single or duo-tone paint schemes, overdrive, and more.

In 1962 the body was redesigned with a curved screen and wind up windows. The interior of the vehicle was revamped in 1964 and also received more ground clearance.

The 3000 was produced from 1959 through 1968. The original engine produced 124 horsepower and was capable of about 114 mph. Modifications to the engine throughout the years increased the horsepower to around 148 and the top speed to 121 mph. The size of the car, the power of the engine, and weighing in at around 2400 lbs made this car responsive, competitive and fun to drive.

In all, there were around 73,000 100's and 3000's produced with 58,000 featuring the six-cylinder engine.

For more information and related vehicles, click here

1960 Austin-Healey models
Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite
Austin-Healey Sprite