For once, no Mercedes Benz from the greater Stuttgart area came to us. Like so many others, this graceful Austin Healey 3000 came to us after unsuccessful restoration attempts to be given a new lease of life. A workshop in the owner's neighborhood tried to work on the British classic for 6 years, but apart from an incomplete pile of parts and botched welding attempts on the body, not much happened during that time. After repairing the body, a full paint job and assembling the chassis, the dream car was returned to the owner. A "neighbor" took over the final assembly, hopefully it won't take another 6 years and with greater success.
Encyclopedia
The Austin-Healey 3000, often simply referred to as the "Big Healey", is an iconic British sports car produced from 1959 to 1967 by the Austin Motor Company in collaboration with the Healey Motor Company. This vehicle has a firm place in the history of British sports cars and is prized by enthusiasts and collectors all over the world.
The Austin-Healey 3000 was produced in three main variants: MKI (1959-1961), MKII (1961-1962) and MKIII (1964-1967). The MKI version featured a 2.9-litre six-cylinder engine producing 124bhp, while the MKII version received a slight power increase to 132bhp. The MKIII version was the most powerful, with a 2.9-litre engine developing 148bhp. These engines enabled the Austin-Healey 3000 to achieve impressive performance figures and a top speed of over 190km/h.
The design of the Austin-Healey 3000 was classic and timeless, with a long bonnet, low silhouette and prominent fenders. The convertible design with removable top made it possible to transform the vehicle into an open roadster and enjoy the joys of open-top driving.
The interior of the Austin-Healey 3000 was simple and focused on the driving experience. The sports car offered space for two passengers and gave a real roadster feel.
The Austin-Healey 3000 was not only successful on the road, but also achieved success in motorsport, including victory in its class at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Today, well-preserved examples of the Austin-Healey 3000 are highly sought after by classic car enthusiasts. This sports car embodies the British tradition of open-top motoring and remains a symbol of style, performance and elegance in the world of classic sports cars.
