Lot 124: Austin Healey 3000 MK 2 2+2

What more can be said about the Big Healey;s that has not already been written. The model was one of those 1950's fairy stories. Small manufacturer shows car at 1952 Earls Court Motor Show, big manufacturer (the once great Austin) is wowed and suddenly the Austin-Healey is born. There was a great deal more to the birth of the first Austin-Healey with personalities like Donald Healey and Leonard Lord involved but the marriage worked and the Healey's were a great success.By 1956 the 100/4 was usurped by the 100/6, which, in 1959 evolved into the 3000 MKI and would go on through the MKII and MKIII until 1968, by which time Austin had built almost 70,000 examples, plus 50 100S competition variants.This MKII was originally supplied to Varney's Garage, St Helier, Jersey on the 15th March 1962. Before arriving back in the UK the car took a slight detour through South Africa but the actual driven miles is believed to be only 23000 but this cannot be warranted.The car was recommissioned by its new, UK owner and equipped with Ruddspeed type manifold, rockers and alloy rocker cover. These mods are claimed to have brought the power up to 163bhp. More recently the car has been the subject of a bare metal repaint, new interior trim, hood and tonneau cover.Finished in the definitive Ice blue with white side panels, this Healey 3000 is now equipped with triple SU's, Denis Welch disc brakes, 4-speed+ overdrive gearbox and wire wheels. The car is also offered with a Heritage certificate and a rare and highly sought after Works Hard Top.