1962 Austin-Healey 3000 MKII

The curvaceously long hood and short deck of the Austin-Healey 100/4 Roadster of 1953 was retained for the 'Big Healey,' which had evolved into a far more civilized and capable machine. The enlargement of its C-Series six-cylinder engine to 2,912cc and the adoption of Girling front disc brakes differentiated the new-for-1959 Austin-Healey 3000 from the preceding 100/6. Typically recorded performance figures of contemporary road tests revealed top speeds of 114 mph and a zero-to-sixty mph time of approximately 11 seconds.

The Austin-Healey 3000 was a developed of the preceding 100/6 rather than a genuinely new model. Introduced in March of 1959, the two cars had nearly identical appearances, and under the skin was the same separate ladder-type chassis with an independent front and live rear axle suspension. Improvements endowed upon the 3000 included a slightly enlarged (to 2,912cc) version of the C-Series inline six-cylinder engine and front Girling disc brakes. With the help of twin SU carburetors, the engine delivered 125 horsepower at 4,600 RPM.

Like the 100/6, the 3000 was available in two-seater (BN7) and 2+2 (BT7) guises. Standard equipment included wire wheels and adjustable front seats.

The MKII version was unveiled in March of 1961, distinguished by a restyled grille and hood intake. This was the last 3000 available as a two-seater, as the 2+2 option had been proven more popular. Engine improvements came in the form of triple SU carburetors and a revised camshaft liberated an extra 8 horsepower. From November of 1961, the 3000 was equipped with a new gearbox, a development which finally moved the gear lever to the center of the transmission tunnel. In January 1962 the 2+2-only MkII Convertible (a.k.a. MkIIA) was introduced, boasting long overdue refinements such as winding windows, fixed foldaway hood ad swiveling quarter-lights. Horsepower decreased by 1 bhp due to reversions of the twin-SU carburetors, yet thanks to the improved aerodynamics, conferred by its curved windscreen, the MkII Convertible contrived to be marginally faster than its immediate predecessor, reaching 116mph.

After 5,095 2+2s and 355 two-seaters had been built, MkII production ceased in 1962. Production of the Convertible continued until the introduction of the 3000 MkIII in 1963.

Competition
Shortly after the 3000 was introduced, it proved highly competitive in international rallying, displaying both pace and great strength on its 1959 Alpine Rally debut. The Big Healey's would go on to score numerous successes with great drivers such as the Morley brothers, Pat Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Peter Riley, Timo Makinen, and Rauno Altonen. The Big Healey was immensely popular with privateers, due to its robust and tuneable nature, who were instrumental in helping it become one of the most successful rally cars of the 1960s. Among the historic venues contested by the 3000 were Sebring, Le Mans, and Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021