Restored 1963 Austin-Healey MkIIA Convertible with overdrive
- originally delivered in the United States
- heritage certificate
- equipped with optional overdrive
- fully restored
- beautiful and unique colour scheme
- most desirable version (MkIIA/BJ7) of which only 6,113 were built
The iconic Austin Healey 3000 is one of the most popular British sports cars. About 90% were sold new in the northern United States. This example is the most desirable version: a MkIIA 2 + 2 with swing-down side windows, easy to operate soft top, and beautiful classic dashboard (as opposed to the MkIII with more modern dashboard). The soft top, like the rest of the car, is in nice condition. After driving in the United States, the car was fully restored in the Netherlands in recent years and then registered on Dutch registration in 2021.
As a result, the car is in nice condition. The engine has been replaced with an equivalent one: this engine with 2 carburettors is a work of art to behold. The interior with beautiful red leather upholstery features a heater and ground switch. The execution is stunning with chrome wire wheels and the two-tone colour combination of black on red that perfectly shows off the car's beautiful lines. This graceful colour combination is also often seen on classic Bugattis. Driving the car is a pleasure: the deep sound of the powerful 6-cylinder engine, the fine gearbox with optional overdrive, powerful brakes (for the time, advanced front disc brakes) and a low centre of gravity which provides the ultimate cornering experience. In short: unrivalled purity of an iconic 1960s English roadster ready for its new owner.
The Healey has been recently restored and the engine has been overhauled. The engine currently still has high crankcase pressure and needs to be run in. After about 1000km, the fluids need to be changed and technically checked completely.
Further minor work is required such as fitting push buttons for the cover cover etc.
General information about the Austin-Healey 3000
The Austin-Healey 3000 entered the market in 1959 and was produced through 1967. The 3000 was the successor to the 100-6. This previous model had an engine with less displacement (2.6 litres) and less horsepower compared to the 3000 which featured a 3-litre engine with 130 hp. Austin Healey's were very successful at races and rallies at the time. An example is BMC team driver Pat Moss, sister of sir Stirling Moss. She finished 4th in the Liege-Rome-Liège Rally in Belgium in an Austin-Healey 100/6 and won the first of her five Women's European Rally Championships. In 1960, Moss took overall victory at Liege-Rome-Liege in an Austin-Healey 3000 and finished 2nd in the Coupe des Alpes. The MkII received a facelift in 1962 with the MkIIA. This car had swing-down side windows and an easy-to-operate roof. This made it the most popular version of the ‘Big Healey's’ and 6,113 were built.