The Pick of the Day is a 1966 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 Mark III, “the most refined version of the popular ‘Big Healey’ model line,” says the Philadelphia dealer advertising the roadster on ClassicCars.com.
Austin Healey introduced the 3000 BJ8 in February 1964, the last iteration of the sports car by the manufacturer’s founder, Donald Healey. The roadster still carried the body design from the BJ7 series, but it offered a new interior look, updated rear suspension and, most notably, a new higher-lift camshaft and twin SU HD8 carburetors that increased horsepower from 136 to 150.
The inline-6 OHV engine is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission with electric overdrive. The BJ8 can achieve zero-60 in just 9.8 seconds, which was impressive for that time period.
Production of these sporty roadsters came to an end in 1967, and this 1966 example “wears an older nut-and-bolt restoration completed to high standards,” the dealer says.
This Healey was originally finished in Ivory White paired with a black top but subsequently repainted in Healey Blue accented by cream-colored coves and a blue top.
The body has a slightly curved windshield with vent windows on each side outlined in chrome trim. It rides on factory 60-spoke chrome wire wheels.
To pair with the exterior, the 2+2 interior was reupholstered in deep-blue leather that appears in the photos with the ad to be in good condition.
The dashboard, covered with burled-walnut veneer, houses black-on-white gauges and has a three-spoke wood-rim steering wheel with an adjustable steering column.
The dealer notes that just 7,700 miles have been put on the car since the full restoration.
“The restoration has won the car multiple awards and remains in excellent condition,” the dealer continues. “The car has been continuously maintained and features a recent full engine rebuild leaving the Healey in fantastic running and driving order.”
This Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 is being offered for $95,000.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
ERROR…. ERROR
The gauges are WHITE ON BLACK, not the reverse. (earlier versions had black on “pearl”)
Tom
Owner – frame up restored ’60 BT-7
Darn, I was going to buy this until it was pointed out that the gauge colors were reversed……….
The MkIII BJ8 is not a roadster.
It’s a drop head coupe.