Description
Offered for sale is a stunning, numbers matching, rust-free 1966 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 finished in aggressively striking Colorado Red with Black coves to accentuate the already gutty 3000 styling. With Healey prices routinely fetching sales prices nearing six figures, they represent a unique segment of the classic car market: highly collectible with good appreciation potential, but with strong #2 drivers still priced somewhat accessibly so that you can actually enjoy driving them. Which is a good thing, because they are far too fun to drive to relegate them to garages or trailers on the way to shows. This car is no exception. A rust-free, mechanically strong and numbers matching example, it will undoubtedly provide its next owner with countless enjoyable driving experiences in an asset that will only increase in value over time.
The car’s finish is in excellent condition, deep, lustrous and marred only by exceedingly minor imperfections, none of which appear in any of the pictures. The body is completely straight without any dings or evidence of accident repair and all of the panel fits and gaps are very good. The car’s brightwork is in great original condition, as is the glass and rubber. The knock-off wire wheels show only negligible wear and are wrapped in tires with plenty of remaining tread. The car has a new soft top from Moss Motors with an excellent fit. The car’s interior is equally clean, the seats, carpets and interior panels all in very good original condition.
The car is free of rust in both the body and the undercarriage and it’s in great shape mechanically. The previous owner reported that the engine and transmission were rebuilt but not 100% “restored” meaning, for example, that he chose to reuse the original oil pan, which was dented, rather than pay $600 or so for a replacement. All of the other external engine components are in very good cosmetic condition. We’ve had the engine checked by a professional shop and the report came back showing good compression (140 psi) in cylinders #1-5 with #6 slightly lower (135 psi) than the rest. The ignition system has been upgraded to a Lucas Sport coil and an Allison electronic ignition. The 4-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and the synchros work well. The electric overdrive engages properly when switched on and the brake servo unit is new.
Starting without any hesitation or smoke, idling consistently and pulling with grin-inducing consummate BJ8 force, the car shifts smoothly through each of its gears without any grinding or slipping. Driving and braking straight, the car handles beautifully, which is only enhanced by its sporty ride height. It’s a joy to drive, a visceral rush both roaring through the canyons and cruising down the highway, and there’s not a more fun car out there to go out to dinner in on a warm weekend evening.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a wonderful appreciating classic with all the right things going for it: rust-free, numbers matching, mechanically strong and finished in an impressive color combination.
