The Austin-Healey 3000 is a British
sports car
A sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s and are currently produced by ...
built from 1959 until 1967. It is the best known of the
"big Healey" models. The car's bodywork was made by
Jensen Motors
Jensen Motors Limited was a British manufacturer of sports cars and commercial vehicles in West Bromwich, England. Brothers Alan and Richard Jensen gave the new name, Jensen Motors Limited, to the commercial body and sports car body making busi ...
and the vehicles were assembled at
BMC's MG Works in
Abingdon, alongside the corporation's
MG models.
During its production life, the car changed from an open sports car, albeit with a child-transporting 2+2 option, to a sports convertible. In 1963, 91.5 per cent of all Austin-Healey 3000 cars were exported; mostly to North America. The 3-litre 3000 was a highly successful car, which won its class in many European rallies in its heyday and is still raced in classic car competitions by enthusiasts today.
British Motor Corporation ended manufacture in 1967, intending its place to be filled by a car with a new, though similar, engine in a more recently designed monocoque MGB variant named
MGC.
History
BN7, BT7 roadsters
Mark I
![1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mark I BT-7 (4586385575) (cropped)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/1960_Austin_Healey_3000_Mark_I_BT-7_%284586385575%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
The Austin-Healey 3000 was announced on 1 July 1959 with a 3-litre
BMC C-Series engine
The BMC C-Series is a straight-6 automobile engine produced from 1954 to 1971. Unlike the Austin-designed A-Series and B-Series engines, it came from the Morris Engines drawing office in Coventry and therefore differed significantly in its ...
to replace the smaller 2.6-litre engine of the
100-6 and disc brakes for its front wheels. The manufacturers claimed it would reach 60 mph in 11 seconds and 100 mph in 31 seconds.
Other changes were minor compared to those between the original
100 and the 100–6. The wheelbase and body were unchanged as were the body-styles, a 2+2 or BT7 and a two-seater BN7.
Weather protection remained minimal, a folding plastic roof on a light demountable frame and above the doors detachable side screens holding sliding perspex panels. Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, laminated windscreen, heater, adjustable steering column, detachable hard top for the 2+2, and two-tone paint were available as options.
:13,650 Mark Is were built: 2,825 BN7 open two-seaters, and 10,825 BT7 2+2s
=Road test
=
BN7, BT7 roadsters
Mark II
![Austin Healey 3000 Mk II 1962 (16083096305)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Austin_Healey_3000_Mk_II_1962_%2816083096305%29.jpg)
Engines fitted with three SU HS4 carburettors (total area 5.3 sq. inches) and an improved camshaft were announced at the end of May 1961. Other changes included a vertical barred front grille. Optional extras were similar to the Mark I. From August 1961 a brake servo was also available as an optional extra, which greatly improved braking performance.
=Road test
=
A 3000 Mark II BT7 (699DON) with hardtop and overdrive tested by the British magazine ''The Motor'' in 1961 had a top speed of and could accelerate from 0– in 10.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of was recorded. The test car cost £1362 including taxes.
Last true roadsters
The BN7 Mark II was discontinued in March 1962, and the BT7 Mark II in June 1962
BJ7 sports convertible
Mark II
![1962 Austin Healey 3000 MkII BJ7 (14315630835)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/1962_Austin_Healey_3000_MkII_BJ7_%2814315630835%29.jpg)
The 3000 sports convertible Mark II was launched at the end of August 1962. It was a true convertible with almost saloon car comfort, a new wrap-around windscreen, wind-up side windows, swiveling quarter lights and a quick-action folding roof. Twin SU HS6 carburettors replaced the triple SUs (total area 5.3 sq. inches, a 9.25% reduction). Austin-Healey claimed it could exceed 115 mph.
91.5 per cent of all 1963 Austin Healey 3000 cars were exported mostly to North America.
:11,564 Mark IIs were made: 355 BN7 open two-seaters, 5,096 BT7 2+2s, and 6,113 BJ7 2+2 sports convertibles
[
]
BJ8 sports convertible
Mark III
The 3000 sports convertible Mark III was announced in February 1964 with power increased from 136 bhp to 150 bhp by a new higher lift camshaft. SU HD8 carburettors replaced HS6 units increasing the choke size from 1.75 to 2 inches, or total area 6.3 sq. inches, increasing by 30.6%. Power-assisted braking became standard instead of optional. The new car's fascia displayed its speedometer and tachometer directly in front of the driver. Upholstery was now in Ambla vinyl[
The Mark III BJ8 remained in production until the end of 1967 when manufacture of the Austin-Healey 3000 ceased.
In May 1964 the ''Phase II'' version of the Mark III was released, which gained ground clearance through a modified rear chassis. In March 1965 the car received separate indicator lights.
:17,712 Mark IIIs were manufactured.][
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1681.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1706.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1717.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1719.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1690.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1634.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1636 (10677690484).jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1610.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1613.jpg
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1624.jpg
;Sidescreens
Austin Healey 3000 Cockpit.jpg, Mk I or Mk 2 open car showing sidescreen
1959 Austin-Healey 3000 MkI (14223898595).jpg
]
Pininfarina ''grand tourer''
Pininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930.
On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...
exhibited the 3000 as a closed roof grand tourer
A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either ...
at the October 1962 Earls Court Show. It was the winning design from a competition by Swiss motoring publication ''Auto-Jahr''.
In racing
Austin Healey 3000's have a long competition history, and raced at most major racing circuits around the world, including Sebring (USA
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
), Le Mans
Le Mans (, ) is a city in northwestern France on the Sarthe River where it meets the Huisne. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Man ...
(France), and Mount Panorama Circuit
Mount Panorama Circuit is a motor racing track located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Mount Panorama (Wahluu) and is best known as the home of the Bathurst 1000 motor race held each October, and the Bathurst 12 Hour ...
, Bathurst (Australia). The BMC competitions department rallied the 3000 from its introduction, but the development of the works cars effectively ended in 1965, mainly because of the success of the Mini Cooper 'S'.
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
Austin Memories
€”History of Austin and Longbridge
Volunteer register with records and photos of the 3000
*
€” specifications and technical data in automobile-catalog.com
Wants To Rule The World Tears For Fears music video
€” Featuring the Austin-Healey 3000
{{British Motor Holdings and British Leyland cars, 1966-1986
3000 3000 or ''variation'', may refer to:
* 3000 (number), the number three thousand
* A.D. 3000, the last year of the 30th century and the 3rd millennium CE
* 3000 BCE, a year in the 3rd millennium BC
* 3000s AD, a decade, century, millennium in the 4 ...
Roadsters
Rally cars
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
1960s cars
Cars introduced in 1959