1965 Austin Healey 3000 Works Replica

Well, this Big Healey, with its ‘works’ wings, grille and steel wire wheels, is certainly a looker. It has the oomph to match those racy, muscular lines too, thanks to a tuned triple Weber carburettor endowed engine.

“Somebody spent a fortune on this car,’ states the vendor. ‘Originally a US market car, it was repatriated, converted to RHD and rebuilt to this specification during a comprehensive rebuild.

“I had bought another classic car off the previous owner when he was alive, as he was selling up and retiring to France, and we’d talked about me purchasing this car too. Unfortunately, he passed away in between, although I then bought the Healey directly from his widow.”

The vendor not sure if that chap had the work carried out, or if it was an owner prior to him. What he is sure of, is that it’s been rebuilt to a wonderful standard.

“It really is as good as you get. The bodywork is excellent, and the triple Webers engine is superb and sounds lovely. It has the lot, including overdrive and is a lovely little sports car that drives exactly how you would expect.”

Delicately raucous is how we’d describe it, which if we’re talking about the world of the ‘Big’ Healey is just how we like it.

“If I’m honest, I’m just a little too big really to get in it, as my elbows sit in my stomach,” says the vendor. That explains why he’s only covered around 100 miles in the car. “I had a small collection, but I have too many things I don’t use. The Healey is lovely to look at, but it’s just sitting there doing nothing and deserves to be used”.

That decision to consolidate his collection means that opportunity now knocks, and a lucky someone will soon have the chance to have this fine beast in their garage.

This Big Healey’s colour combo and styling has us here at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ salivating every time we walk past us. It’s one gruff, roughty-tuffty beastie.

‘Works’ style wings, with evocative vents, and a ‘works’ grille, combined with black painted steel wire wheels make it a bewitching visual offering. The integration of these has been carried out to a very high-standard. A quick look through the history file shows that specialised body shop, IB Vehicle Repair centre in Northants, carried out the body restoration with (the many) parts supplied by renowned specialists AH Spares Limited and Staffs-based Dennis Welch Motorsport.

With limited miles covered since completion, it unsurprisingly remains in lovely condition. The car still wears its (gleaming) chrome bumpers front and rear, so these could be removed if the next owner wishes to further ramp up its sporty visual disposition. Equally, they can be left in situ for low-speed bump protection.

Up top, the black convertible hood looks very good. There is an invoice dated 25 July 2019 in the car’s history file for a fresh set of matching 185/70WR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 N4 tyres, sourced from classic tyre specialist Longstone tyres at a cost of £1,117.33 (including an additional 165SR 15 Michelin XZX unit). Tread remains plentiful on each one.

Cracking.

As you would expect of a fully restored car the interior finish matches that of all other aspects. The black leather is piped red and is glorious; it’s in desperate need of cabin inhabitants to start the process of patina development… oh, the pleasure to be had in doing so.

The dashboard wood is in great condition, as are the chrome-rimmed dials each of which is clean and clear. Carpets and door-cards are very smart, and the thick leather-rimmed steering wheel and chunky alloy gear-lever are a masculine pleasure to manhandle.

The boot is trimmed in matching carpet and lifting this reveals a long-range alloy fuel tank – perfect for grand touring, and distance classic car rallies and the like.

As stated earlier, the vendor says that this Austin Healey drives beautifully.

A dyno reading from a June 2017 RGS Motorsport rolling rod tuning session shows power peaking at a very healthy 146.2bhp@4200rpm, with torque coming in at an equally impressive 208lb ft@3300rpm. The car has only covered another around another 800 miles since then, so the big six-cylinder unit should still be in tip-top fettle.

Pop the bonnet and you will find an engine bay that is beautifully presented and demonstrated a real attention to detail. Braided fuel hoses are fitted, as are red silicone cooling hoses (a touch of modernity that suits the car) and a crankcase breather filter.

It’s a similarly excellent picture underneath the car, where you will find clean body-coloured metal (not thick black underseal here!), and fresh-looking suspension, mechanical and exhaust components.

Stunning.

The Healey comes with a good history file in which you will find the HM Revenue & Customs document detailing the payment of charges for its import into the UK on 14 March 2011. Also included is a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate detailing all the car’s original specifications, build/despatch dates, numbers and factory fitted extras. These include:

• Chassis number: H-BJ8-L/33131
• Engine number: 29K-RU-H/7734
• Body number: 77996
• Colour: Colorado Red
• Trim/Hood: Black
• Date of build: 22-24 September 1965
• Date of Despatch: 11 October 1965
• Destination (dealer): New York
• Factory fitted equipment: wire wheels, whitewall tyres, heater, adjustable steering column, blue tonneau cover, overdrive, laminated windscreen

The remainder of the Healey’s history file is made up exhaustive invoices for both parts and works carried out, running into the multiple tens of thousands; these detail both the car’s restoration (the list of new parts is huge!) and subsequent maintenance and fettling. It really is worth pouring yourself your preferred drink of choice and settling back for a deep dive, to see exactly what has been done to get it in the condition that you see today.

It will also give you confidence in the level and amount of work completed.

Happy reading.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork that confirm that this vehicle has been restored and then maintained to the very best of standards.

We do love a Big Healey here at Bonhams|Cars Online and even more so when presented in homage to ‘works’ form. A standard car is a majestic thing to behold, but, as can be seen by this example, it just ramps up the visual impact a considerable notch.

It’s no all show and no under-bonnet go beast, either; you will find a tuned, triple-carb six-cylinder unit that’s good for some very smart power and torque outputs, too. That combination is surely a winner and will provide the next owner with a car that’s as good to look at, as it is to drive.

The restorative work has been carried out to a very high standard, with parts provided and work carried out by marque specialists, as well as a specialized body shop.

As such, we think this rather splendid classic sports car will realise somewhere between £40,000 and £45,000. To buy a Healey and carry out work to achieve a similar standard would surely cost a significant amount more. Luckily someone else has already done that, so the next owner can enjoy the fruits of their considerable labours.

With negligible post-resto mileage (just 1635 since restoration), it’s time this rally-inspired bad-boy clocked up some serious road time.

Le JOG, The Classic Malts, the Tour Auto or similar, or even just the odd high-octane Sunday morning blast, this Healey should handle all with aplomb.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ in Oxfordshire; 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’.