1959 Austin-Healey 3000 MK I

The Austin-Healey 3000 was announced in March of 1959 and was based on the previous 100-Six chassis with minor changes to the body. The most significant update had occurred underhood, where a new 'C'-Type 2.9-liter (2912cc) engine with a compression ratio of 9:1 and twin SU carburetors were installed. It developed 125 bhp at 4,600 RPM and with the optional hardtop fitted, had a top speed of 115 mph with zero-to-sixty mph accomplished in a little over eleven seconds. Like the 100/6, the 3000 was available in two-seater (BN7) and 2+2 (BT7) guises and came with wire wheels and adjustable front seats as standard. Additional mechanical upgrades over its 100/6 predecessor included Girling disc brakes up front and a 10-inch clutch. The 3000 was only referred to as the Mk. I once the Mk. II model was introduced in 1961. Austin-Healey developed 2,825 examples of the 3000 MKI BN7 two-seater variants and 10,825 of the more numerous BT7 four-seater version.

Formed in 1952 by the pairing of Leonard Lord of the British Motor Corporation-owned Austin division and the Donald Healey Motor Company, Austin-Healey produced the Healey-Hundred designed and built as a one-off by Donald Healey for the 1952 London Motor Show at Earls Court. The design had impressed Leonard Lord and the pairing of the two companies paved the way for years of automobile production.

The Austin-Healey 100 production began in 1952 and was offered as a 1953 model. The name '100' was in reference to its ability to achieve speeds of 100 MPh which was no small accomplishment for a production car of the era. Power was sourced from a four-cylinder unit with a 2,660cc displacement and backed by a three-speed transmission with overdrive. A limited production run of the 100S helped establish its racing pedigree, aided by disc brakes and a light alloy body.

The 100 was produced from 1956 to 1959 with a six-cylinder engine displacing 2,639cc, thus earning it the model name, the 100-6. This was the last of the series before the introduction of the 3000. Cars with the internal designation of BN4 were in production starting in 1956 with a 2+2 configuration (albeit, very limited accommodations for the rear passengers). By 1958, the BN6 designation was applied to the two-seat production cars. The ultimate production version of the 100-6 featured a modified cylinder head and intake to produce 117 bhp, giving a top speed of 103 MPH and a zero-to-sixty mph time of 10.7 seconds.

The Austin-Healey 3000 and the 100/6 looked nearly identical and both rested on a ladder-type chassis with an independent front and live rear axle suspension. Optional equipment included a heater, laminated windscreen, detachable hardtop for the 2+2, adjustable steering column, two-tone paint scheme, and wire wheels. The Mark II, introduced at the end of August 1962, introduced a new wrap-around windscreen, wind-up side windows, a quick-action folding roof, and swiveling quarter lights. Mechanical upgrades included triple SU carburetors replacing the previous twin SU HS6 setup. The third and final Mark - the Mark III - was announced in February of 1964 and improvements were focused primarily on the mechanical aspects. The SU HD8 carburetors replaced the HS6 units which had a choke size that measured 2 inches instead of the 1.75-inch size of its predecessor. Along with a new higher lift camshaft, engine output increased to 150 bhp. The previous optional power-assisted braking system was now standard equipment. Interior upgrades included Ambla vinyl upholstery and the speedometer and tachometer were now positioned directly in front of the driver.

A total of 11,564 examples of the Mark II and 17,712 of the Mark III were built. Combined with the 13,650 examples of the Mark I, Austin-Healey produced nearly 43,000 examples of the Model 3000.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2022