1960 Austin-Healey 3000 MKI

Austin-Healey was conceived in 1952 by racer Donald Healey in response to a BMC-sponsored competition for a new sports car employing Austin mechanical components. The 'Hundred' sports roadster, shown at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1952, wore sleek Gerry Coker-designed 'envelope' bodywork, a low-slung chassis designed by Barry Bilbie, and engineering led by Donald's son, Geoff. Following the blessing of BMC's Leonard Lord, it entered production in early 1953 as the Austin-Healey 100-4.

Constant improvement and development continued, with the six-cylinder 100/6 introduced in 1956. The Austin-Healey 3000 followed in March 1959 and was a progressive development of the preceding 100/6. Announced by BMC on July 1, 1959, the 'Big Healey' came equipped with an enlarged 2,912cc four-cylinder version of the C-Series six-cylinder engine, and Girling disc brakes upfront. With the help of twin SU carburetors, the engine developed 124 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. With the optional hardtop fitted, the Austin-Healey 3000 Mark I had a top speed of 115 mph and could reach 60 mph in just over 11 seconds. The chassis and bodywork were ostensibly unchanged from the 100-6, as were the available body styles, including a two-seater (BN7) and 2+2 (BT7) guises. They came with adjustable front seats and wire wheels as standard equipment.

The lion's share of the Austin-Healey 3000 was sent to the showrooms of American dealers and was sold from its introduction in 1959 to the end of production in 1967. They were immensely successful both on the track and in the showroom and had a base price of $3,370 for the DeLuxe Roadster. The Sport Roadster with 2+2 seating sold for $3,050 while the 2+2 Deluxe Roadster had a base price of $3,370.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2020