Austin Healey 3000 1959–1967
| Austin-Healey 3000 | |
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Austin Healey 3000 sports convertible
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Austin-Healey (BMC) |
| Production | 1959–1967 |
| Assembly | Abingdon, England |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door 2 or 2+2 seater roadster then convertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2,912 cc (2.9 L) C-Series I6 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
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| Length | 157 in (3,988 mm) |
| Width | 60 in (1,524 mm) |
| Height | 46 in (1,168 mm) (Hood down) 49.5 in (1,257 mm) (hard top) |
| Kerb weight | 2,550 lb (1,157 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Austin-Healey 100-6 |
| Successor | MG MGC |
The Austin-Healey 3000 is a British sports car built from 1959 to 1967. It is the best known of the "Big Healey" models.
The car's bodywork was made by Jensen Motors and the vehicles were assembled at BMC's Abingdon works, alongside the corporation's MG models. During its production life its nature was changed from an enthusiast's lusty open sports car, albeit with a child-transporting 2+2 option, to a tame sports convertible.
In 1963, 91.5 per cent of all Austin-Healey 3000 cars were exported; mostly to North America. The 3-litre 3000 was a highly successful car, which won its class in many European rallies in its heyday and is still raced in classic car competitions by enthusiasts today. British Leyland ended manufacture in 1967, intending its place to be filled by a car with essentially the same engine in a more recently designed monocoque MGB body named MGC.
Overview
Donald Healey’s early life revolved around aircraft, not automobiles. After serving in the Royal Flying Corps, he decided to stay on the ground and developed an interest in sports cars, first with Triumph and then, after World War II, at the helm of his own company. The Donald Healey Motor Company started with elegant, upmarket cars, but found its success with small, elegant sports cars, for which the brand continues to enjoy a superb reputation.
It was the fledgling company that debuted a 100-mph, open-top sports car at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1952. Healey’s car attracted the interest of Austin Motor Company managing director Leonard Lord. The two signed an agreement and the Austin-Healey Hundred was on the road within a year. A straight-six replaced the roadster’s four-cylinder engine in 1956, and in 1959 Austin-Healey reached into BMC’s line-up for the upsized 3.0-liter engine. The new car was badged Austin-Healey 3000 and it was aimed primarily at the American market, where its more powerful engine made the most of high-speed roads. Produced from 1959 through 1967, in three series, the Austin-Healey 3000 is arguably one of the most desirable of British sports cars and highly sought after by collectors. In many ways, it is nothing short of a motoring icon.
1959 - 1961 Austin Healey 3000 MK1 (BN7, BT7)
Essentially the same car as the 100-6, but with a bigger, improved engine. The first 3000 series is widely regarded as defining the Austin Healey marque with a distinguished competition history. Like the 100-6, it came in two variants: the four-seater BT7 series (10,825 built) and the two-seater BN7 Series (2,825 built). Made from 1959 to 1961, this model represents the glory days of the Austin-Healeys when driven in impressive victories and class wins on the European road rally circuit and generally grabbing the attention and imagination of sports car enthusiasts worldwide.
The initial 3000 is called Mark I, to differentiate it from the later 3000 Mark II and 3000 Mark III models. It had an improved engine compared to its 100-6 predecessor. Capacity was upped to 2912 cc. In addition, the front brakes were changed from drum type to disks. However appearance of the 3000 is the same as 100-6. As with the 100-6, many people prefer the lines of the two-seater (series BN7) and this is usually reflected in the prices.
1962 – 1963 Austin Healey 3000 MKII (BN7, BT7 and BJ7)
The second series of the 3000 are also tremendously handsome cars. The 3000 MKII are a great choice for a first big Healey, delivering all of the qualities of the marque. Most were made as 2 + 2. The BN7 two-seater with 3 carburetors, of which only 355 were made is sought after by investors and commands a significant price premium.
Up until the introduction of the Mk2a (BJ7) in June of 1962, Austin Healey’s had a rudimentary windscreen and side screens. The convertible series BJ7, was viewed as a transition model for the later BJ8. Consider the BJ7 series car if you want better weather protection. Unlike a few years ago, the BJ7 no longer stands in the shadow of the later BJ8. Many people have actually started to prefer the traditional dashboard instead of the wooden dash.
1965 – 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII (BJ8, phase 1 and 2)
This is the most luxurious Big Healey. It has the same looks as the BJ7 and perhaps even enhanced (or diminished, depending upon your taste) by extra chrome around the windscreen, wooden dashboard and windows. The BJ8’s have good weather protection and are regarded as the most civilized Big Healey’s. In our view the "improved" mufflers diminished the lovely throaty sound for which earlier Austin-Healeys are famous.
MODEL SPECIFICATIONS
1953 – 1956 100 (or 100-4), BN1 followed by BN2 two-seater roadster, 2660cc four-cylinder engine, 90HP, twin SU carburetors, drum brakes. 100M version delivers 110 HP.
1956 – 1958 100-6, BN4 (2 + 2) and BN6 two-seater, 2639cc engine six-cylinder engine, 102 HP early cars with twin SU H4 carbs, 117 HP later cars with with twin SU HD6 carbs.
1959 - 1961 3000 Mk1, BN7 (two-seater), BT7 (2+2), 2912cc six-cylinder engine, 124 HP, disc front brakes, drums rear.
1961 - 1962 3000 Mk2, BN7 and BT7. Engine upgraded to 132 HP with triple SU carburetors, new grille with slats and revised bonnet intake.
1962 – 1963 3000 Mk2a BJ7. Revised windscreen, wind-up windows, convertible top, only available as 2+2, back to twin SU carburetors, 131 HP.
1963 – 1967 3000 Mk3 BJ8. Wooden dash, tunnel console and better trim. Only available as 2+2. 148 HP with twin SUs. Phase 2 had improved rear suspension travel.
History
BN7, BT7 roadsters
Mark I
The Austin-Healey 3000 was announced on 1 July 1959 with a 3-litre BMC C-Series engine to replace the smaller 2.6-litre engine of the 100-6 and disc brakes for its front wheels. The manufacturers claimed it would reach 60 mph in 11 seconds and 100 mph in 31 seconds.
Other changes were minor compared to those between the original 100 and the 100-6. The wheelbase and body were unchanged as were the body-styles, a 2+2 or BT7 and a two-seater BN7.
Weather protection remained minimal, a folding plastic roof on a light demountable frame and above the doors detachable side screens holding sliding perspex panels. Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, laminated windscreen, heater, adjustable steering column, detachable hard top for the 2+2, and two-tone paint were available as options.
- 13,650 Mark Is were made: 2,825 BN7 open two-seaters, and 10,825 BT7 2+2s
Road test
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A BT7 3000 with hardtop and overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 11.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.6 miles per imperial gallon (13.1 L/100 km; 18.0 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1326 including taxes. |
Body by Pininfarina
Pininfarina exhibited the 3000 as a closed roof grand tourer at the October 1962 Earls Court Show. It was the winning design from a competition by Swiss motoring publication Auto-Jahr.
In racing
Austin Healey 3000's have a long competition history, and raced at most major racing circuits around the world, including Sebring (USA), Le Mans (France), and Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst (Australia). The BMC competitions department rallied the 3000 from its introduction, but the development of the works cars effectively ended in 1965, mainly because of the success of the Mini Cooper 'S'.