The Austin-Healy 3000

The Austin-Healy 3000 is a British convertible sports automobile that was produced from 1959 to 1967. In contemporary parlance, it was the 6 cylinder roadster Austin-Healy 100-6 with a “facelift”. The body was produced by Jensen Motors, whereas the automobiles themselves were assembled at the British Motor Corporation (BMC) works factory in Abingdon.

​Great Britain’s recovery after World War II, along with the demand in the US for European sports automobiles, were favorable factors for the development of the 3000 model. In 1963 BMC exported 91.5% of its Austin-Healy 3000 automobiles, mainly to the US. During its life cycle, which lasted until 1967, the 3000 was extremely popular. It won many European rallies at the most famous racetracks (Sebring, Lamans, Bathhurst) and it continues to do so today in retro automobile races.

The automobile had a 3 liter motor, which was atypically large for British automobiles at the time. The car was designed by Donald Healey, the founder of the post-war Donald Healey Motor Company, together with the Austin Motor Company, predominantly targeting the US market. Healey himself left BMC in 1968, two years after its merger with Jaguar Cars, and joined Jensen Motors, which produced Austin-Healey automobiles until 1972.

The 3000 experienced three model generations or series. The MK III or Mark III third generation model was released in February 1964. The power of the motor had been increasesd from 136 to 150 horse power. This was achieved by installing new camshafts and replacing the HS6 model carburators with the HD8, which increased the flow by 30%. The power brake booster became standard equipment. The speedometer and tachometer were moved to the front panel directly in front of the driver. A total of 17,712 Mark III generation cabriolets were produced.

It should be noted that the 3000 successor, the MGC, was not nearly as successful nor as popular, rather quite the opposite occurred. A heavy motor and unsuccessful suspension affected the steerability of the automobile and the MGC was taken out of production less than two years after its release. Thus, the common view is that the excellent Austin-Healey 3000 does not have any direct successors.

The automobile with chassis number HBJ8L40223 is one of the last of the Phase 2 2800 vehicles produced, manufactured during its last year, 1967. In 1990, the automobile was brought from the US to the Netherlands. We acquired it in 2013. Recently the MK III was competely restored and, given appropriate weather conditions, it is often seen on roadways in the Baltics.

Service info: Austin Healey 3000

Our Austin Healey 3000 in "Es par auto":

Car driving sound:

Service info: Austin Healey 3000