1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III

Steve Cole has known the Austin Healey 3000 MkIII its whole life. “It was bought new by my neighbour for his son on August 27th 1967 from the local Voss (British Leyland dealer) for a 21st birthday present,” he explains. “The car was undersealed from new and cherished by his son until he married and started his own family in 1980.”

The car was then Waxoyled and placed into a well-ventilated, heated dark garage under his house. It’s hasn’t been taxed since that date and was MOT tested locally in 1984, when the mileage was 29,074.

“I have always wanted the car and the family agreed to let me buy it when the owner passed away,” says Steve. ”It’s a time-warp example and exactly as it left the factory on the 18th August 1967, with the exception of new sills fitted in 1984.”

After purchase, he had it shipped to a motorsport preparation specialist for re-commissioning. This included replacement of the fuel system, having the carburettors rebuilt and properly set up with a Filter King fitted and an electronic fuel pump. In addition, it replaced the ignition system and the brakes were totally overhauled with new discs, calipers, slave and master cylinders, and a new servo and hoses. The cooling system was flushed and all hoses replaced, and a new exhaust system fitted.

“The car is now safe, reliable and runs like a dream. I have covered about 500 miles in it.”

“The bodywork has had all the Waxoyl removed, revealing near perfect paintwork, which with a little more effort could be described as show condition,” says Steve. “But how far do you go with this unique, original Healey?”

Take a look at our photographic gallery below and you’ll find a car in breathtaking original condition. The rear three quarter view reveals superb panel fit. Restored cars can look a million dollars, but there’s just a certain something about a classic that remains just as it left the factory.

Add to that a lovely gentle patina – the light surface corrosion on the underside of the boot lid has us weak at the knees, as does the very light pitting here and there on the brightwork – and it’s one very desirable Big Healey.

“There are small areas of bodywork, both rear wings where they meet the body, that could benefit from light restoration if the new owner wished to create a perfect car,” offers Steve.

Our view? We would keep it as is, every day of the week. As much as we wish it was that’s not our decision to make, though.

The four road tyres are late Seventies Michelin XAS, all in excellent condition – although, as with all aged rubber, the next owner may wish to have their roadworthiness checked if they plan using the car regularly.

“The Healey was stored with the roof up, out of the sunlight and a ventilated dark garage,” says Steve. “That means that the interior is just as immaculate as the exterior and presents absolutely as new.”

It has the famous MkIII “chrome” piping, which lends the cabin a touch of pizzazz. The sports seats (black piped gold) remain free from blemish, as do the rear plus-2 numbers. Carpets are very good, as are door cards and all interior wood veneers.

Slip into the cabin and you’re instantly transported back to a time when Britain was swinging, and the country’s motoring manufacturers still output spectacular drop tops like this.

Up top, it sports its original hood which still carries the chalk marks from the BMC trim shop. The frame works perfectly, making lowering and raising it an easy task. While in the boot you’ll find a bottle jack and soft mallet, as well as a spare wheel (fitted with an original Dunlop Road Speed R55 tyre) that has never even been on the car.

“The engine, gearbox and diff are all perfect and require no attention as you would expect from a car of this very low mileage,” says Steve. “I have known it since new and can vouch for the mileage, originality and condition.”

We’ve had it out for a spin or three (no great hardship given the current splendid weather) and Steve’s re-commissioning work has this car running like a dream.

Just as originality lends a car a certain aesthetic something, that too can be transferred to how it will drive. Again, there’s just a certain something about an untaken-apart low-mileage classic car. It’s instantly transformative, and this example provides that in spades, shovels and any other garden implement you may care to mention.

The engine is a brawny brute. The gearbox shifts cogs with a smooth precision and the brakes pull it up straight and true. There are no suspension clonks or shonks; it’s just a lovely thing to pilot. “Runs like a dream,” said Steve, and we’re more than happy to agree.

The underside has a spattering of road dirt, but looks well protected and solid in all the right places. “I have removed a small area of underseal and it revealed perfect rust-free paintwork and a solid chassis underneath,” says Steve.

Popping the bonnet reveals an engine bay that shows gentle signs of the mileage covered, but again it’s one that you’d happily pop up at any show as you happily settle in to discuss the car’s lovely history again, and again, and again.

“I have all the history the family could find including the original invoice, the last MOT and invoice, the original Driver’s handbook, service voucher wallet and a workshop manual,” says Steve. These are lovely things to have and key components of this very original car’s history.

You’ll also find all bills for recent expenditure, which includes a selection from Warwickshire-based Austin Healey specialist A-Head 4 Healeys Ltd amongst others.

As well as the V5c document Steve has sourced obtained a British Motor History Heritage Trust certificate; this provides chassis, engine, rear axle, gearbox and body numbers, as well as colours and other key information such as the estimated date of build (4-10 August, 1967) and date of despatch (18 August, 1967). Wire wheels, a heater, Roadspeed tyres, a Laminated windscreen, adjustable steering column and Less overdrive are all noted as factory fitted equipment.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained and re-commissioned to the very highest of standards.

A wise old sage once said, “they’re only original once.” And you know what, he was bloomin’ right. Restored cars, of course, have their place but there’s just a certain something about a venerable old survivor like this. It. Is. Patina-tastic.

It’s worth repeating what the vendor Steve said, “It’s a time warp car and exactly as it left the factory on the 18th August 1967.” Originality is sought after and for that reason we think this delectable bruiser will sell for somewhere between £57,000 and £67,000.

For that, the next owner will receive quite possibly (in fact scratch that, will definitely receive) one of the most original Austin Healey 3000 MkIIIs in existence. Fancy a beefy top-down slice of 1967? Then here’s your chance.

Final word to our vendor, “this car is available for less than it would cost to restore an existing Healey and needs to be seen and enjoyed.”

Inspection is always encouraged and this particular car is located with us in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.  Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.  To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.