TIMELESS APPEAL: The Austin-Healey Convertible
April 2, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen
A timeless treasure from England – this 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 convertible (Lot #705) – will be among the “star cars” at the 2019 Palm Beach Auction, selling at No Reserve.
When you come to a Barrett-Jackson auction you’ll find more than just vintage muscle cars, Resto-Mods and pickup trucks. A lot more. Barrett-Jackson prides itself on covering a vast spectrum of vehicles of every shape and size to interest the widest possible range of collectors.
For example, at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, April 11-13 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, aficionados of classic European sports cars will have a number of attractive options from which to choose.
One of those with a lot of curb appeal is a timeless British roadster, specifically a drop-dead gorgeous 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 (Lot #705), finished in terrific colors: Irish Mist Green paint over a Parchment leather interior.
Production of the 3000-series Austin-Healey roadsters began in 1959 and continued through the 1967 model year. The Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 was the final variant of the so-called “Big Healey.” Introduced in 1964, the 3000 Mark III BJ8 benefitted from a more powerful inline 6-cylinder engine that saw its horsepower rating increase from 136 to 150, thanks to new carburetors and a more aggressive camshaft.
The 3000 Mark III BJ8 was also the first Austin-Healey in this model to come with power brakes as standard equipment, a welcome upgrade.
And if you like this model to begin with, you will love this example and the work it has undergone to bring it to its present glory.
This gorgeous Austin-Healey looks sensational, and that’s not a coincidence. In 2014, this car underwent an $82,000 restoration, done the right way by professionals who left no stone unturned to make an Austin-Healey that looked right, felt right and drove right. Unquestionably the mission was a success, creating a beautiful example of carefree driving that invokes spring times days while driving down a twisty two-lane road, listening to British Invasion music from the 1960s.
According to the consignor, the restoration began as it should, from the ground up, with a sandblasted tub and suspension. The body was given careful and thorough attention to detail. The car was stripped to bare metal, and all of its metal panels were acid washed before the two-step base coat/clear coat paint was applied to the exterior, interior, underside, wheel wells and engine bay.
From there, this Austin-Healey was carefully and sympathetically upgraded to maintain its time-honored good looks, while significantly enhancing its drivability and reliability.
To that end, the stock 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine received a new oversized radiator and upgraded cooling fan for improved performance and cool running. The engine was then mated to a smooth-shifting Toyota 5-speed manual transmission, although the original transmission is included in the auction.
In order to run properly on today’s unleaded gasoline, the Austin-Healey was line-bored and balanced, with a new fuel system and a rebuilt electrical system, featuring a Mallory distributor and a new wiring harness. A new stainless-steel performance exhaust expels spent fuel and provides the classic British sports-car sound we’ve come to expect from a big Austin-Healey.
The restoration team also resealed the rear end, upgraded the suspension with new and rebuilt hydraulics, and totally redid the braking systems.
As part of the restoration work, the team installed heat insulation, re-dipped or new aftermarket chrome, a new windshield, new rubber seals, new interior trunk trim, new 72-spoke wheels, driving lamps and badge bar. The door glass is all original.
The wonderful open cockpit was treated to a new Parchment leather interior with green piping and new carpeting, a new mohair convertible top and boot, and a Moto-Lita steering wheel. No expense was spared, no corners were cut in creating the finest Austin-Healey possible.
This multiple award-winner is documented by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.
Like most all of the cars at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, this beautiful Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 will be sold at No Reserve, meaning the car will sell to the highest bidder. And this one is sure to create a buzz when it rolls across the auction block.
For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles on the 2019 Palm Beach docket, click HERE.