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Lot Essay
1966 AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000 MK III ROADSTER
Chassis No. HBJ8L3B566
Red with black leather interior
Engine: six cylinders in-line, pushrod overhead valves, twin SU carburettors, 2912cc, 148 bhp at 5250rpm; Gearbox: manual four-speed with synchromesh (overdrive optional); Suspension: front independent by wishbones and coil springs, rear live axle with transverse control arm or radius rods, half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel power assisted hydraulically operated drum. Left hand drive.
At the London Motor show of 1952, the Donald Healey Motor Company, which had been building modest numbers of well-respected, quite expensive high performance sporting cars, launched a two-seater sports model aimed at a wider market, using a tuned Austin A90 four-cylinder engine and running gear. Good-looking, fast, simple to manufacture, the type was adopted by the Austin Motor Company, now a part of British Motor Corporation, and went into production as the 90 bhp Austin-Healey 100. It did well in the market place and in competitions until it was succeeded in 1956 by the 100 Six, powered by a weighty overhead valve six cylinder engine yielding 102 bhp already seen in BMC's large saloons. At the same time, the 100 was extensively revised, given a longer wheebase, a little more room inside, provided with more creature comforts than the pared-down fours. The 'Big Healeys', skilfully prepared at Abingdon by the works' team and driven with great panache, shone in that golden era of long-distance International rallies over the still uncluttered roads of Europe.
Finally in 1964 came the 3000 Mk III, generally considered to be the finest varient of them all. It was more convertible than the roadster with its wind-up windows, excellent hood and two plus two seating. In the cockpit there was a varnished timber dashboard with the traditional sports-car array of instruments, a central console between the comfortable bucket seats, well fitted carpets. There was a more fully curved windscreen with quarter windows. But with nearly 150 bhp on tap and surging mid-range torque, the Mk III was as accelerative as ever - 0 to 60 mph took only 11.2 secs - and its 121 mph maximum speed was readily obtainable. With large, power-boosted drum-brakes and predictable handling, this last of Healey's big sixes was exhilarating to drive and continued to sell briskly around the world. Fifteen years after that momentous appearence at the London show Donald Healey's fluent styling had not dated, but safety and emission regulations, particularly in the USA, brought production of one of the greatest of traditional English sports-cars to close in 1967.
From our understanding, this example was sold new in the USA. It was imported into Switzerland about fifteen years ago and has since had an engine rebuild. Invoices are available for the amount of Sfr 23,000, which includes renewal of leather upholstery. Overall, the car makes is well-presented and is said to drive beautifully.
Chassis No. HBJ8L3B566
Red with black leather interior
Engine: six cylinders in-line, pushrod overhead valves, twin SU carburettors, 2912cc, 148 bhp at 5250rpm; Gearbox: manual four-speed with synchromesh (overdrive optional); Suspension: front independent by wishbones and coil springs, rear live axle with transverse control arm or radius rods, half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel power assisted hydraulically operated drum. Left hand drive.
At the London Motor show of 1952, the Donald Healey Motor Company, which had been building modest numbers of well-respected, quite expensive high performance sporting cars, launched a two-seater sports model aimed at a wider market, using a tuned Austin A90 four-cylinder engine and running gear. Good-looking, fast, simple to manufacture, the type was adopted by the Austin Motor Company, now a part of British Motor Corporation, and went into production as the 90 bhp Austin-Healey 100. It did well in the market place and in competitions until it was succeeded in 1956 by the 100 Six, powered by a weighty overhead valve six cylinder engine yielding 102 bhp already seen in BMC's large saloons. At the same time, the 100 was extensively revised, given a longer wheebase, a little more room inside, provided with more creature comforts than the pared-down fours. The 'Big Healeys', skilfully prepared at Abingdon by the works' team and driven with great panache, shone in that golden era of long-distance International rallies over the still uncluttered roads of Europe.
Finally in 1964 came the 3000 Mk III, generally considered to be the finest varient of them all. It was more convertible than the roadster with its wind-up windows, excellent hood and two plus two seating. In the cockpit there was a varnished timber dashboard with the traditional sports-car array of instruments, a central console between the comfortable bucket seats, well fitted carpets. There was a more fully curved windscreen with quarter windows. But with nearly 150 bhp on tap and surging mid-range torque, the Mk III was as accelerative as ever - 0 to 60 mph took only 11.2 secs - and its 121 mph maximum speed was readily obtainable. With large, power-boosted drum-brakes and predictable handling, this last of Healey's big sixes was exhilarating to drive and continued to sell briskly around the world. Fifteen years after that momentous appearence at the London show Donald Healey's fluent styling had not dated, but safety and emission regulations, particularly in the USA, brought production of one of the greatest of traditional English sports-cars to close in 1967.
From our understanding, this example was sold new in the USA. It was imported into Switzerland about fifteen years ago and has since had an engine rebuild. Invoices are available for the amount of Sfr 23,000, which includes renewal of leather upholstery. Overall, the car makes is well-presented and is said to drive beautifully.