2018-07-07 12:56:03 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 7/18
www.brightwells.com/classic-motoring/leominster-classic-vintage/leominster-class ...

Auction description:
Lot No. 58
Registration Date 1960
Make & Model Austin-Healey 3000 MkI BT7
Colour Ice Blue
Registration Number HAS 800
Chassis No. HBT7L8258
Engine size 3,400 cc
Engine No. 7B6457-8
Documents V5C; MOT March 2019; 12 old MOTs; invoices; Heritage Certificate
Estimate £36,000 - £40,000

Ask anyone 'what was the greatest British engine of the 1950s?' and there is a fair chance that Jaguar's legendary 3.4 XK twin-cam will win the poll hands down. Fitted to both the C- and D-Type Jaguars, this snarling straight-six consistently beat off the might of Ferrari, Maserati and Mercedes to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ask anyone 'what was the best-looking British sportscar of the 1950s?' and there is an equally good chance that the Austin-Healey 100/3000 will come close to the top of the list. Put the two together and you are probably onto a winner.

Which is where this beauty comes in. Starting out in life as a regular American market Healey 3000 MkI with the usual 124bhp BMC C-Series 2,912cc straight-six, it was fitted many years ago with the much smoother and more potent 3,442cc XK twin-cam which produced between 160bhp and 220bhp depending on the state of tune.

It was also fitted with Jaguar's excellent 4-speed overdrive gearbox, rear axle with disc brakes and limited slip diff, plus Jaguar dash instruments. Access to the rear axle is eased by two inspection hatches where the rear seats would have been. Although you would never know it by looking, it was also fitted with a lightweight outer body, every panel apart from the louvred bonnet being made from high quality GRP.

Returning to these shores in 2002, it has had just two owners since and has recently been treated to around £10k of expenditure including a high quality repaint in Healey Ice Blue; works-style front grille; bespoke side-exit exhaust; alloy Monza fuel filler and new headlights and spot lamps.

Invoices on file show that it also received a collapsible steering column; a Panhard rod to the rear axle; high torque starter motor; high output alternator; uprated electric cooling fan; solid state fuel pump; a new clutch master cylinder and a full service with all fluids changed. Black racing seats, OMP harnesses and a Mota-Lita steering wheels add a sporting touch to the interior which is topped off with a blue Mohair hood.

Supplied with a V5C, MOT until March 2019, 12 old MOTs, sundry invoices and a Heritage Certificate, this gorgeous Healey looks absolutely sensational both above and below, with excellent paint finish, panel gaps, chassis and floor panels. Good as they are, the photos do not do it justice and it needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Bid vigorously now and it could be you who drives it home!