Austin-Healey 3000

Austin-Healey 3000

Manufacturer	Austin-Healey
Parent company	British Motor Corporation
Production	1959-1967 42,926
Assembly	Abingdon, England
Predecessor	Austin-Healey 100-6
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	2-door roadster
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	2912 cc C-Series I6
Wheelbase	92 in (2337 mm)[1]
Length	157 in (3988 mm)[1]
Width	60 in (1524 mm)[1]
Height	46 in (1168 mm) (Hood down) 49.5 in (1257 mm) (hard top)[1]
Curb weight	2,550 lb (1,157 kg)

The Austin-Healey 3000 was a sports car built from 1959 to 1967, by Jensen Motors for the Austin-Healey marque, and is the best known of the 'big' Healey models.

The 3000 was a successful car which won its class in many European rallies in its heyday - and is still used in competition by enthusiasts today. The car was originally to be called the "Mille Miglia" after the famous sports car race, but the displacement-based "3000" name stuck instead. Both the 3000 and the 100 before it were known simply as "the Austin-Healey" in the 1950s, since the company was essentially a single-vehicle marque.

History

Mk I

The original Austin Healey 3000 was a 2912 cc (nearly 3 litres) I6 engine, with twin SU carburetors and Girling front disc brakes. It was only called the Mark I after the Mark II was released. Wire wheels, an overdrive gearbox, detachable hard top and two tone paint were options.

The original 3000 was built from 1959 - 1961 and has model designation BT7 (4 seat version) and BN7 (2 seater).

13,650 were made.^[2]

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. ^[1]

MkII

The 3000 Mk II came with twin SU carburettors was built from 1961 to 1963. Externally, the main change was to the front grille where the bars changed to vertical. It had model variants BT7 (4 seater version), BN7 (2 seat roadster) and the BJ7 from 1962 which had wind up windows rather than side curtains, a curved windscreen and only two carburettors.

A 3000 MkII BT7 with hardtop and overdrive tested by the British The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 112.9 mph (181.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.5 miles per imperial gallon (12.0 L/100 km; 19.6 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1362 including taxes. ^[3]

11,564 were made. ^[2]

MkIII

The 3000 Mk III was launched in 1963, and remained in production until 1967. The Series BJ8 was the most powerful and luxurious of the big Healeys - with a Walnut veneer dash, wind up windows, and 150 hp (112 kW) engine. Servo assisted brakes were standard. Only 2+2 version were made.

The Phase II version had a modified rear chassis to allow suspension travel to be increased.

17,712 were made. ^[2]

Competition

Austin Healey 3000's have a long competition history with works versions have aluminium body panels and raced at most major racing circuits around the world, including Sebring (USA), Le Mans (France), and Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst (Australia).

Gallery

1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I	1960 Austin-Healey 3000 MkI BT7 (North America)	Austin Healey 3000 Mk I BT7 1961	Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II
The red leather cockpit of a black Austin-Healy 3000	1964 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III (North America)	1964 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 (North America)	1965 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III (North America)
1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 (North America)	Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III 1967	Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III in Gibraltar	Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III grille

References

• Ray Bonds (2003). The Illustrated Directory of Sports Cars. Motorbooks. ISBN 0-7603-1420-9. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Austin-Healey 3000

• Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 site
• Austin Healey Club USA site - Austin Healey 3000 individual model differences, and indicative pricing
• Austin Healey Club of Oregon
• healeydata.com Volunteer register with records and photos of the 3000
• Club Austin Healey du Quebec
• Austin Healey 3000 at the Internet Movie Cars Database