2024-11-27 11:41:41 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 4/24

www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-78---1962-austin-healey-3000-mkii-convertible/

Auction description:

24th Apr, 2024 13:00

Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire

Lot 78

1962 Austin-Healey 3000 MkII Convertible

Estimated at £45,000 - £55,000

Registration No: 387 XVD

Chassis No: H-BJ7-L/20372

MOT: Exempt

The subject of an extensive, three-year long, 'body off, chassis up' restoration by Max Rowley (formerly of P&A Wood) and his team

Parts repaired or replaced as necessary with help from marque specialist A-H Spares

Finished in the stunning combination of Midnight Blue with Biscuit leather upholstery and matching carpets (extending to the boot)

Resident in America for much of its life and still to LHD specification to aid European touring

Entered from a private collection

Built to left-hand drive specification on June 28th-29th 1962, chassis H-BJ7-L/20372 was dispatched to J. Inskip Inc of New York some two weeks later. Enlisting the help of The Austin Healey Club, the vendor became the 2+2-seater’s sole registered UK keeper when it was issued with the number plate ‘387 XVD’ on November 1st 2018. Although a complete entity that pleasingly retained its original engine, the MkIIa was somewhat tired. A true petrolhead with an expansive and diverse stable, the seller decided to treat it to a very thorough, ‘body off, chassis up’ restoration. Undertaken by former P&A Wood master mechanic Max Rowley and his colleagues, the project took three years to complete. Working ‘hand in glove’ with marque specialist A-H Spares Ltd, the body was refurbished with new galvanised floors and replacement steel and aluminium panels as necessary. The suspension and brakes were rejuvenated, the wiring renewed and the engine extensively overhauled. New lights, indicators and reflectors were fitted and various instruments reconditioned. Finished in the unusual but very handsome combination of Midnight Blue with extended Biscuit leather upholstery and matching carpets (including the boot), ‘387 XVD’ remains highly presentable. Tuned by an engineer well versed in preparing cars for historic motorsport, the engine burst into life upon inspection sounding throaty and purposeful in equal measure. A-H Spares Ltd remain very proud of their involvement in the car and indeed have described it as ‘truly one of the best examples of the marque that can be found anywhere’. In the enviable position of having more sportscars than he can find the time to use, the vendor has decided to thin his collection down. Seemingly ideal for Continental touring and offered for sale at a fraction of its restoration cost, this decidedly special Big Healey comes with a V5C Registration Document and restoration details etc.