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1962 Austin-Healey Mk. II 3000 BN7
s/n H-BN7-L/16204
Healey Blue with White Coves and Dark Blue Interior with White Piping

1962 marked an important year Austin-Healey`s 100/3000 line. While early cars had definitively fit the classic British sports car model with seating for two, side curtains, simple metal dashboards, and flat windscreens, later cars became much more sophisticated and heavy. Mk. III 3000`s had wood dashboards, +2 seating in the rear, curved windscreens, and fully furnished doors with quarter windows and wind-up windows, making them more civilized, but also diluting the inimitable character and sportiness of the earlier cars. As ever with British cars, the last models were the most developed, so the ideal car for the sporting enthusiast is the last of the side-curtain 2-seat cars. These cars feature the muscular 3-litre engine and front disc brakes that were recent developments for the big Healeys. Fitted with no fewer than 3 carburetors to homologate the use of triple carburetors for competition use in FIA-sanctioned events, the engine was durable, powerful, and torquey, though later cars reverted to 2-carb setups to make them easier to tune. Two-seat models were better looking and rarer, while the center-mounted shifter fitted to Mk. II 3000`s made shifting less awkward. But at heart, the cars remained the same as ever, making the two-seat, center-shift, triple-carb Mk. II`s the pick of the entire Healey line for the uncompromising driving enthusiast. Though thousands of Healey 3000`s were built, just 355 1962 two-seat examples were built, of which only 141 featured the center-shift gearbox, making them rarer than even the celebrated 100M (1,159 built) by a factor of nearly 10!

This particular car is believed to the second earliest two-seat center shift car in existence (transmission #405, body #3064BN7, chassis #13940), and has covered fewer than 58,000 miles from new. It is highly specified with no fewer than six Lucas lamps fitted (PL700 tripod headlamps, SLR 700 driving lamps, and 576 fog lamps), in addition to two spares, one in the trunk and one externally mounted to the boot lid. The car also has overdrive and comes with the soft top, hardtop (which has clear coat), and a spare bonnet (which has louvers and has also been clear-coated). It comes with a Heritage Trust Certificate confirming that the car remains in its original color combination, and with its original equipment. The Heritage certificate lists engine no. 29E-RU-H/2544, although when the engine was rebuild the block was acid dipped and the Identifacation tag was dissolved.

Cosmetically, the car is attractive in an unconventional way. The owner elected not to have the car clear-coated so that the paint bears a satin/matte finish that resembles metal when it has been anodized. Though out of the ordinary, the treatment is effective and adds to the functional competition-inspired aesthetic already established by the auxiliary lamps and externally mounted spare. The paint itself shows very little wear, with just a few stains. There are minor dents and wear marks from the side curtains and top, but the overall impression is excellent. The chrome shows some pitting, scratching, and haze, but is still presentable and attractive, while the windscreen has some chips and rock marks. The wheels are excellent brand new Dunlop items, and the spinners and hubs are also new.

The interior is very attractive, with recently renewed seat upholstery and carpets. The carpets are dark blue, as are the seats, which also have white piping. Both seats and carpets are excellent, as is the dash, which has a more original feel to it. An auxiliary instrument and switch panel has been tastefully installed, and features a full complement of Smiths instruments including voltage, amperage, vacuum, oil temperature, fuel pressure, and oil pressure. The door shut areas retain their correct aluminum flashing and are in excellent condition.

The engine compartment is extremely clean and has been detailed to high standards, but not over-restored. There have been a number of functional upgrades added as well, including electric fan, relays for the auxiliary lamps, and a Crane ignition system. The overall feel of the engine compartment is very orderly and well-kept, with good attention to detail. The trunk is original and contains a number of extras including the spare parts book, workshop manual, and owner`s manual.

The underside of the car is solid and free of corrosion. The owner reports that the floors are almost completely original, with just the toeboards replaced in 2002. The sills and rockers were also replaced that that point. The car drives as it should given its proper care and mileage. The engine has been recently rebuilt and performs well, while the gearbox functions well, with good second gear synchro when warm.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a sympathetically kept and very unique car. Approximately 138 of the original 355 1962 two-seat 3000`s are currently known to exist, equaling 38% of the original production run, and even fewer center-shift cars remain. This particular car is ideal for the enthusiast because it is a transitional car that represents the best of the big Healeys: the mechanical sophistication with the simplicity and sporting character of the earlier ones. This car is extremely complete, with hard and soft tops, side curtains, two spare wheels, spare bonnet, books, Heritage Trust Certificate, and sundry parts. It is also mechanically strong but wears its cosmetic patina with pride, making it an ideal car to use, both for informal drives, and on tours and rallies.

Interested parties are encouraged to make offers.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.