Lot 47: Austin-Healey 3000 MkII
Donald Healey's eponymous company built a prototype two-seater sports car for display at the 1952 London Motor Show. It was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and sported a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. It was dubbed the 'Healey Hundred' (a moniker chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach 100mph), and, subject to a suitably encouraging response, Healey planned to build production versions in-house at his factory in Warwick. As things transpired, not only did the Ice Blue prototype impress the public, but also so excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, that he struck a deal to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The newcomer was renamed the Austin-Healey 100. The rest is history. The 'Big' Healey enjoyed steady development with the four-cylinder cars giving way to the 100-Six of 1956, which was followed by the first of the 3000s in 1959 and the MKII 3000 in 1961. Identifiable by its new grille and bonnet air intake, the MKII was still available as a two-seater (BN7) or 2+2-seater (BT7). Power was increased to 132bhp, courtesy of three 1.5-inch SUs on separate inlet manifolds. The BT7 offered was manufactured in 1962 and was subsequently modified for historic rallying - eg the Monte Carlo Challenge. Time and money has been spent on bringing it up to Works-style rally/race specification, by fitting: triple Webers, alloy cylinder head, alloy radiator, Tulip gearbox, limited slip differential, Avon ZZ tyres, additional electrics and a Works hardtop. Finished in Red and White with a black interior, 'TSV 240' was apparently third overall in last year's Austin Healey Sprint and Hillclimb Championship. The vendor tells us that the 'Big Healey' has "good" coachwork, paintwork, gearbox and interior and an "excellent" engine producing 200bhp at the wheels.
| Auction |
Auction of Cars H&H Sales Limited, Stoneleigh Park |
|---|---|
| Type | Car |
| Lot Number | 47 |
| Estimate | £40000-£50000 |
| Outcome | NOT SOLD |
| Hammer Price | - |
| Hammer Price (inc premium) | - |
| Year | 1962 |
| Condition rating | |
| Registration number | TSV 240 |
| Mileage | - |
| Chassis number | H-BT7/18943 |
| Engine number | 29E-RU-H/5464 |
| Engine capacity (cc) | 3000 |
| Engine - cylinders | |
| Number of doors |