2024-09-29 20:00:33 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 10/24

www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5533/lot/738516%2ftimed-sale%2f5533

Auction description:

1964 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8 Phase 2

Auction Ends: Wed 23rd Oct

Estimate: £33,000-36,000

Registration Number AGH821B

Engine Size 2912cc

Engine Number 29KRUH1403

Chassis Number HBJ826967

Gearbox Manual

Documents V5C; older V5C; 11 old MOTs; invoices; correspondence; Heritage Certificate

Original 'matching numbers' RHD car; in the current ownership for 44 years; fully restored in the early 1990s and only 1,000 miles since; recently recommissioned following a period in storage; runs beautifully

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this Healey 3000 was built in May 1964 as a RHD export model finished in Colorado Red with a grey leather interior, overdrive, wire wheels and a heater. It was first UK registered later the same month so it presumably did not get exported. In fact nothing is known of the car’s early history, but it has had just three owners from new, according to the V5C, and has been in the current ownership since 1980.

A good file of invoices show that the car was treated to a body-off restoration between 1989 and 1997, including a rebuilt engine which is original to the car, making this a 'matching numbers' example. Old MOTs imply that it then covered some 700 miles before being put into storage in 2004.

In 2014 it was recommissioned by a Healey specialist at a cost of £13,462 with many new parts fitted, all detailed in invoices on file. This included a full brake system overhaul; carbs rebuilt; new radiator; new aluminium petrol tank; new set of wire wheels and new Vredestein tyres plus much else besides.

Following this, a valuation certificate dated October 2014 declared the car to be in “A1 condition throughout” with a “replacement value of £48,000”. It also flew through an MOT in October 2014 with no advisories recorded and it has only done about 300 miles since, the odometer currently showing 62,795 miles.  

Other invoices show that it got a new carpet set in 2022 along with a new boot lining. Recently recommissioned again following a period of inactivity, we are told that it drives as well as it looks with slick gear changes and working overdrive.

The chassis shows no signs of any previous damage and is correctly finished in body colour paint and it has been starting instantly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good 55psi oil pressure.

All it needs now is an enthusiastic new owner who can reap the rewards of all the work lavished upon it to date by getting out there and driving it!