Lot 636: 1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark II 2+2 Convertible

Few cars of the 1950’s and 1960’s conjure up such nostalgia as Donald Healey’s ‘Big Healey’. Introduced simply as the Healey 100 in 1952, it was quickly snapped up by Austin and the marque Austin Healey was born. Although early models were produced in four-cylinder guise, market pressures and increasing competition saw the six-cylinder cars appearing in 1956. Such celebrated names as Stirling Moss, Makinen and the Morley brothers were to be closely associated with the marque which so firmly established its credentials at Le Mans, in the Mille Miglia and participating in the punishing R.A.C. and Monte Carlo endurance events, not forgetting the record-breaking achievements of its creator Donald Healey.
Although the competition exploits made the headlines it was as a production sports convertible that the Austin Healey achieved its greatest success, finding an eager export market as well as enthusiastic home demand.
This 3000 Mark II 2+2 Convertible, for which the manufacturers quoted a purposeful 136bhp, was despatched in March 1962 to Varney’s Garage in St Helier, Jersey. Following time in Jersey, where mileage was necessarily restricted, the car was exported to Africa where it was acquired by a farmer/car collector who used the car only sparingly. The recorded mileage of 22,628 miles is thought to be correct and the overall condition of this car reflects most of its life spent in a warm and dry climate. The car is presented in ice blue over ivory livery and restoration has been carried out during the period 2003-2005. Brakes have been uprated to BJ8 specification, with new front discs and callipers, by Denis Welch Racing and a post-market modification includes the fitting of overdrive. Recent servicing showed outstanding compression on all six cylinders and the car has this month been road roller-tuned by Shenton Engineering. It is offered with a Swansea V5 registration document, current licence and MoT certificate to May 2006, together with a BMIHT Certificate confirming original home market specification.