2024-12-20 00:29:21 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1967-austin-healey-3000-morgantown-pa-27975 ...

Seller's description:

Vehicle Location Morgantown, Pennsylvania 19543

Mileage 99

VIN # HBJ8L38381

Exterior Colorado Red

Transmission Manual

Interior Black

Condition Excellent

For consignment, a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III roadster, a premiere British sports car in wonderful condition, ready for road, show, or exhibit. It's unclear how many Austin-Healey's were imported to the U.S. in 1967, but some estimates put the number as low as 510 units. Surely more were imported later, and there are other years and models that help keep the clubs around the country very active.

Exterior

Colorado Red is complemented by the black insert, applied with two stage paint that glistens like the Thames river. The profile is classically British, the front end cants forward pulling a car that otherwise leans back with a sloping shoulder line and ends with a short tail. The chrome is very fine on this car, including the grille with its vertical strakes, the headlight rings, and the grille on the prominent hood scoop. Out back, a luggage rack provides some extra storage flanked by rear lights that are sculpted into the body of the car, ringed in polished metal, behind the wraparound chrome bumper and bumper guards. Shiny metal is not spared for the exhaust either which leaves the car in twin, upturned tailpipes. The black canvas top is in excellent condition and its plastic rear window is as clear as glass. More bling on the corners as 15-inch chrome wire wheels prop this car up on blackwall tires. A few small scratches on the black paint make up the entirety of imperfections we could find.

Interior

High quality Ambla vinyl covers the interior beginning with the simple black door panels and continuing on to the front bucket seats with tuck and roll patterned inserts and bright red piping. Two small seats reside in the back draped in the same material and colors, while the rear walls are stitched in a square quilted pattern, red piping included and look fantastic. A long padded center console that serves as the armrest and flows to the back seat is coordinated with black vinyl and red piping that pops. A banjo style steering wheel gives way to a rich burlwood dashboard with black faced, chrome rimmed gauges that just smell of class. The black backed center stack has vent controls, a row of toggle switches, a speaker, and AM radio just before it heads rearward to house the wood knobbed shifter in black boot. The passenger has a pleasant view of the burlwood glove box and padded black dash cover while underfoot is black loop carpet in great condition. The lined boot contains a covered spare and the battery and is also clean.

Drivetrain

Clean, with a factory fresh look, the 177.7ci inline 6-cylinder fits tidily in the bay where it puts out 150 horsepower. A pair of SU carburetors supplies the petrol while a 4-speed manual with the Laylock-De-Normanville overdrive sets the car in motion. Power is sent to the rear wheels and 3.909 gears while disc brakes live up front and drums in the rear.

Undercarriage

It's immaculate underneath and what's not painted black is painted glossy red. The polished stainless steel exhaust is amazing and sends dual pipes through stainless mufflers and then exit through shiny exposed tailpipes. It's rare to have a car that we'd encourage polishing on the underside, but this one clearly has been cleaned and would benefit from being included in your detailing regiment. Meanwhile, coil springs are equipped up front and leaf springs in the back. A few drops of oil are noted on the oil pan but are inconsequential.

Drive-Ability

Does it run as good as it looks? Well, yes, with a few notes on the way. As it happens, the engine is eager and willing, and the handling is level and low. Shifting is smooth and slowing is reliable and the whole experience just puts a smile on your face. However, the following things were found to be inoperable; the horn, the tachometer, the heater blower, and the radio. We also note a vacuum leak.

If Austin-Healeys have been on your radar for some time, and you simply haven't found the right one, take a good look at this restored example because it's one of the finest we've seen.