1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mk 1 BT7
£44,950
- Make
- Austin
- Model
- Healey 3000 Mk 1 BT7
- Year
- 1960
- Engine
- 2+2
Overview
A pristine 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk 1 BT7, originally shipped to Canada and now beautifully restored. This left-hand drive example underwent a comprehensive bare-metal rotisserie restoration completed in 2006, with meticulous documentation throughout. The engine was rebuilt with an unleaded-fuel conversion, the gearbox fully serviced, and the interior retrimmed in red leather. Finished in two-tone red with matching red and black cabin, it presents stunningly and drives superbly with no rattles. Under 1,000 miles covered since restoration, regularly maintained and kept garaged.
From the Dealer
- •Matching numbers with V5C, Heritage Certificate, and comprehensive restoration history with invoices and photographic records
- •Full bare-metal rotisserie restoration completed 2006; everything mechanical stripped, checked and rebuilt
- •Engine rebuilt with cylinder head conversion for unleaded fuel; gearbox rebuilt with new parts; four new shock absorbers fitted
- •Interior completely retrimmed in red leather piped black; new hood, tonneau cover and side screens with new chrome work
- •Under 1,000 miles since restoration; recently recommissioned with component replacements and updates; heated garage storage
About the Austin Healey 3000 Mk 1 BT7
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The Austin Healey 3000 Mk 1 BT7 represents the first iteration of the iconic big Healey sports car, launched in 1959 as a direct evolution of the 100-6. It positioned itself as an affordable yet capable British sports car, competing with models like the Jaguar XK and Triumph TR series. The BT7 featured a 2.9-litre straight-six engine and was aimed at enthusiasts seeking genuine open-air motoring with adequate performance and character. Designed by Donald Healey and produced until 1962, the Mk 1 established the 3000 nameplate and its reputation for engaging handling and robust engineering. The car appeals to classic car enthusiasts and collectors who value period British sports car authenticity. Its steel body-on-frame construction and mechanical simplicity contrasts sharply with modern designs, making it an accessible entry point for restoration and ownership among vintage sports cars.
Pros
- +Strong mechanical reliability with simple, repairable design
- +Capable handling with excellent balance for its era
- +Genuinely quick performance for the period
- +Strong enthusiast community and parts availability
- +Timeless, elegant design language
Watch out for
- −Minimal creature comforts and poor weather protection
- −Challenging synchromesh gearbox and heavy steering
- −Rust-prone steel body requires vigilant maintenance
Common issues
- !Carburetor tuning and fuel delivery inconsistencies
- !Gearbox synchronizer wear affecting gear changes
- !Corrosion in sills, floors, and chassis
▶See full dealer details
Overview **Overall Comments** A matching numbers example, it comes supplied with V5C registration document, Heritage Certificate and a comprehensive history file including receipts from the rebuild together with a photographic record of the restoration. The condition of the car is very good, having been kept in a heated garage and covering under a thousand miles since the restoration was completed. The car has been assessed regularly, with the last stating that everything ranges from very good to new condition, with improvements over the years noted. We have recommissioned the car replacing and updating components as required. **Body** The two-tone bodywork presents extremely well, the body panels have a good fit, with many having been replaced or refurbished during the restoration. The accompanying history file details the panels replaced and the work carried out to both chassis and bodywork. **Mechanical** During the course of the restoration, everything mechanical was stripped, checked and rebuilt as applicable. The very detailed notes and invoices confirm that the following mechanical work was carried out • Engine stripped, checked and rebuilt with new gaskets & seals. A cylinder head conversion for unleaded fuel was carried out • Radiator rebuilt • Gearbox rebuilt with new parts and seals, new thrust bearing. Overdrive checked which works perfectly in 3rd and 4th gear • Suspension work carried out with four new shock absorbers fitted **Interior** The interior was completely stripped and replaced with red leather piped in black with matching red dashboard, carpets and door panels, complemented by a black hood, tonneau and side screens with new chrome work. Asking Price £ 44,950 History Built in January 1960, and shipped to Canada in February of that year, it was bought new by a newly qualified dental surgeon in Northern Canada as a reward for qualifying, he kept the car for almost 40 years before selling it in 1999 to its second owner, a British expat, who in 2002 started a full ground up restoration. Due to an illness the restoration was delayed several times but was finally completed in late 2006. The work included a full bare metal rotisserie restoration with no area being neglected. Prior to being completely resprayed, the chassis was checked for correctness, sandblasted and restored to as new condition and resprayed in the matching body colour. The engine was stripped and checked over, with the head being rebuilt and fitted with hardened valve seats for modern fuels. The carburettors were rebuilt, the gearbox was also stripped and a number of new parts fitted as well as new mounts. A new wiring loom was fitted and the interior was fully retrimmed in red leather with a ribbed tonneau cover, new hood and side screens. This left-hand drive car was returned to the UK in 2017 by its third and current owner and presents stunningly in red with red and black interior. The car starts on the button and drives superbly with no rattles or squeaks, testament to the quality of the restoration, with recorded running temperature of 180 degrees and oil pressure of 40 psi when hot.
