Austin Healey 3000 MK III BJ8

1965 Austin Healey 3000 Description

1965 AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MK III BJ8: This is a single family heirloom. My father, a Naval officer, was posted with the US European Command near Paris when he purchased this car in June 1965. During its first six months my parents, along with my brother and sister (I was yet to be born) drove the Healey top down all over Europe from Bavarian beer halls to camping in Belgium. They had ordered the car with the optional luggage rack to accommodate such outings. In 1967 Dad was transferred back to the States and the beloved Austin Healey came with us. In 1969, three months after mom got pregnant with me, we lost Dad in Vietnam. Mom continued to drive the car throughout her pregnancy with me and I have memories as a toddler riding in the car and hearing the distinctive sound of the roar of its engine. Incredibly, mom hung onto the car allowing my older brother Mark to drive it when he was in high school and yes, we still took the car camping, only now it was in the Colorado Rockies. While I was growing up, my mom and I were active with the Southern CA AH Club and attended many of its events. I soon became obsessed with Austin Healey's and their restoration and preservation. So, when I turned 16, the Healey became my car. I then proceeded to give the car a frame off, ground up restoration. The car then earned a Bronze medal in the Concours Registry at the 1992 Snowmass International Austin Healey meet along with numerous other peoples choice awards at various car shows I exhibited the car at. Over the years the car has been featured in several magazines and newspaper articles and was featured in an episode of the new tv series “The Last Goodbye”.

The car is in fantastic running condition. The interior is nearly all original (carpet, door panels, and arm rest were reconditioned) and the toneau cover and toneau top are also original. The car is sporting a brand new convertible top along with a new gas tank, clutch, restored carbs, fuel pump, reconditioned radiator and many other items too numerous to list ($32,000 invested into it last year). There is a manual in French (very rare) and the english version signed by Donald Healey. All of my shop manuals and restoration books will go with the car.

The car still needs: tachometer and speedometer rebuilt, o/d switch. The car could also benefit from a fresh paint job and other various cosmetic work to interior and chrome trim IF you want the car to be "showroom" quality. If you are looking for an Austin Healey to drive and have fun in this is your car!!! I am very motivated and want to get this car sold asap.