1965 Austin Healey 3000 MK111

This example of the ultimate MKIII iteration hails from June 1965. Noting that the MKIII cars’ chassis numbers started at 25315, places this one (chassis number 32051) at number 6,736 of 17,712 MKIII cars built between 1963 and 1967. This example is slightly unusual in so much as it was built to a US specification but in right hand drive for personal export to New York. This Big Healey left MG’s Abingdon plant, where they were built, in British Racing green livery with a back interior. Extras included heater, overdrive, adjustable steering column and wire wheels. 

Little more is known of the car’s stateside life but by 1988 the Healey was back in its motherland and was first registered here in July of that year. The MKIII was acquired by the current keeper’s father-in-law in 1998 with the mileage at that stage being around 102,000. On the sad passing of his father-in-law, current keeper Grant became the Healey’s proud custodian. At some point in its past the Healey has undergone a transmogrification into a two tone blue and off white example with a blue interior. DVLA records suggest that this colour change occurred in 1989 which is, likely, when the MKIII was last restored.

It is interesting to note that the Austin Healey’s odometer was recording (1)03,147 miles on the day of our shoot suggesting virtually no use in current ownership. Today this Austin Healey 3000 MKIII offers a generational family provenance and sensible original mileage that is vanishingly hard to now find. 
 

Like a surprising number of cars of this period the Austin Healey 3000’s bodywork was produced by Jensen of West Bromwich. Our car’s Jensen bodywork is presented in the classic Healey livery of Ice Blue and Old English White, surely a winning combination for this most muscular looking of ‘60’s British sports car. Considering this finish is thought to date back to the late 1980’s the condition seems impressive indeed. The Ice Blue is reserved for the upper panels with the off white describing tapered panels on each flank. There is some minor paint bubbling noted in places by our consignment team, but it seems generally hard to spot. The panel gaps, so often a weak area for classic British sports cars, look impressively tight and symmetrical.

In many ways the front profile of this big Healey is the most appealing. An oversized elliptical radiator aperture is fronted by 39 vertical chromed slats. Above this sits a small bonnet topped by a long cooling duct fronted by a chunky chromed grill. Between these two features sits the winged Austin Healey emblem confirming this as a MKIII iteration. Other charming features include the teardrop shaped wing mirrors, recessed chromed door handles and the boot mounted 3000 badge dissected by a fork of lightening.  A chromed, tubular luggage rack is fitted to the boot lid.

This car features a blue vinyl hood which seems to fit very well. The condition looks excellent with the large, acetate rear window being un-fogged and free from fold lines. A small imperfection is noted behind the driver’s side window. A hood cover helps keep everything tidy, and a full sized, zipped tonneau is also included. Our car sits on a set of 72 spoked, 15-inch, chromed wire wheels which present in a good overall condition. These are affixed at the centres with chromed, twin eared spinners and are shod with a matching set of Yokohama tyres in a 185/70 configuration. 
 

The cabin of this 3000 appears to have been retrimmed in the past and now presents in varying shades of blue. The round backed bucket seats are finished in a mixture of vertical box pleats and smooth bolsters. The two treatments are delineated by cream coloured piping. These are trimmed in a duck egg blue hued leather and exhibit an optimum degree of use related patina. The driver’s side seat extremity has a small split in it. A cosy pair of rear seats were obligatory on the MKIII cars and present identically trimmed in blue here. The condition of these appears very good and the back rest folds forward to create still more luggage space. 

The door cards and rear side panels are all finished in complementary blue, and the carpets are edge bound in cream leather. The impressive dashboard features a blue trimmed top roll with the fascia panel finished in highly varnished walnut veneer. The main instrumentation is courtesy of a pair of white on black Smiths dials. A pair of small, auxiliary items sit to the right of these. A centre panel houses the heater controls and a row of toggle switches. A three spoke alloy Mota-Lita steering wheel is fitted with a wooden rim and original Austin Healey boss.

The wide but shallow boot provides a home for the full sized spare wire wheel and tyre, tools, bottle jack and secured battery. A wooden spinner undo-er is also present. This area is luxuriously trimmed in blue, edge bound carpet panels and shaped floor mat.
 

The MKIII cars ushered in a useful power boost from 136bhp to 150bhp. The engine remained the straight-six, 2912cc Austin unit fitted with twin SU carburettors. At launch this configuration was sufficient for a 10 second 0-60mph time and a 120mph top speed. The MKIII featured a four speed manual gearbox with factory overdrive. Girling disc brakes were standard on the front axle.

Lifting the diminutive bonnet of this Healey reveals a well ordered and impressively presented engine bay. The inner panels look clean, straight and well painted and the expected data plates appear present. The big cam cover is finished in black crackle paint with debossed Healey emblem. The underside of the Healey looks straight and admirably corrosion free for the age of the car. A Bell stainless steel rear silencer is fitted and the chassis legs appear well protected with black preservative.
 

This Healey comes with an impressive depth of provenance providing paperwork. This includes the V5 Registration Document which classifies the car as an Historic Vehicle. This renders it MoT exempt and zero rated for vehicle excise duty in the UK. Despite that exemption the Healey was last MoT’d in 2023 at an indicated 3,145 miles. An advisory free pass was achieved at this stage. Numerous earlier MoT hard copies are also included.

Other key highlights an informative Heritage Certificate. The remainder of the archive consists of numerous invoices detailing maintenance work undertaken throughout the history of the car. The majority of these relate to work undertaken by Swifts Autocare in Sheffield dating from around the year 2000 and underlining the care and expenditure lavished on this Austin Healey 3000 MKIII.
 

Donald Healey manged to avoid an untimely end to his car manufacturing endeavours through a combination of skill, ability and pure blind luck. With the help of BMC, cars bearing his name became loved and known the world over. The Healey 3000 MKIII is the ultimate expression of Donald’s inspired oeuvre. 

This example of Healey’s most famous model is notable for its superb provenance and associated condition. This Healey has featured at the heart of a single family since 1998 which makes for an impressive and desirably rare starting point. With a miniscule mileage covered since an earlier restoration this Big Healey combines both originality and an impressive current condition belying its age. An excellent opportunity to acquire a storied example of Donald Healey’s best work.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £30,000 - £35,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.