1964 Austin Healey 3000 MkIII

By 1959 the Healey 3000 had arrived in MKI guise. The MKII would follow as night follows day, with the MKIII launching in 1963. This example of the ultimate MKIII iteration hails from March 1964 making it an early version of the car. Noting that the MKIII cars’ chassis numbers started at 25315, places this one (chassis number 26391) at number 1,076.

By now the Healey 3000 was being built at BMC’s Abingdon factory alongside MGs of the period. This car rolled out of Abingdon on the 25th March 1964 in right hand drive, home market trim and wearing a two tone Florida Green and Ivory White livery. The interior was trimmed in grey hide and factory extras included overdrive, heater, disc wheels and laminated windscreen. The car then headed off to Aberdeen to meet its first keeper.

The first keeper retained the Healey for around four years until it was acquired by William in 1968. The observant amongst you will notice that this big Healey is no longer Florida Green and Ivory White or trimmed in grey, but this change must have happened in the first four years of its life as it was the lovely red you see today when William took ownership. 

Today this Austin Healey 3000 MKIII offers a generational family provenance 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 gleaming Carmine Red, surely the best livery for this most muscular looking of ‘60’s British sports car. Our example is known to have enjoyed a full restoration in around 1990 and diligently cared for thereafter. As such, a deep and bright lustre appears to emanate from every panel and the panel gaps appear generally sharp and faithfully 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.  

This car features a black vinyl hood which fits very well, closes snuggly and appears completely free from rips, tears or stains. The rear acetate window is clear, uncracked and free from fogging or discolouration. Our car sits on a set of 72 spoked, 15-inch wire wheels which are chrome finished and present in a good overall condition. These are affixed at the centres with chromed, twin eared spinners and are shod with a mixed set of radial type tyres in a 185/70 configuration. 
 

The cabin of this 3000 has been retrimmed in the past and now presents in varying shades of black with red accents lifting the ambiance further still. The round backed bucket seats are finished in a mixture of vertical box pleats and smooth bolsters. The two treatments are delineated by vibrant red piping. A cosy pair of rear seats were obligatory on the MKIII cars and appear identically trimmed here. The condition of all perches is impressive indeed. 

The door cards and rear side panels are all finished in black and appear impressively original. The black carpets are edge bound for added longevity. Austin Healey branded heavy duty rubber floor mats are also included. The dashboard features a black 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. The original three spoke Austin Healey steering wheel is fitted.

The wide but shallow boot provides a home for the full sized spare wire wheel and tyre, tools and secured battery. A fitted vinyl mat is fitted to protect the floor.
 

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. In this case the Sus are fitted with a sperate pair of Cooper cans. 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 well finished and represents this area’s dominating feature. The underside of the Healey looks straight and admirably corrosion free for the age of the car. There is some potential for further improvement here, however, should that be deemed necessary by the next owner.
 

This Healey comes with a great 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 holds a current MoT which is valid until May 2026. Numerous earlier MoT hard copies are also included.

Other key highlights include the original buff coloured logbook and an informative Heritage Certificate. There are numerous photographs present from various of periods of the car’s history as well as a period Austin Healey workshop manual. The remainder of the archive consists of numerous invoices detailing maintenance work undertaken throughout the history of the car.
 

Donald Healey was a lucky man, but I am sure he would say that he made his own luck through hard work, application and corporate daring. Following his tie up with BMC his name would go on to be known and admired the world over. Not bad at all for the son of a shopkeeper from Perranporth, Cornwall. 

This example of Healey’s most famous model is notable for its superb provenance and associated condition. Aside from its first four years, this Healey has featured at the heart of a single family ever since. Cars owned for such extended periods often take on the status as valued family members and their care and condition tend to benefit commensurately. That has clearly been the case with car, thus making it the most desirable of dynamic British sports cars.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £35,000 - £40,000.

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’.