Lot 207: Austin Healey 3000 MKIII Phase II

The Austin association with Donald Healey came about at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1952. Donald Healey, an accomplished designer and engineer, had built a prototype sports car using the Austin A90, 2600cc engine, which he exhibited at the 1952 Motor Show. The car was named the Healey 100 and it attracted a huge amount of interest. This did not go unnoticed and Leonard Lord, the MD of Austin quickly arrived at an agreement with Donald Healey that would see the whole car built by Austin. Thus was born the Austin-Healey. Cars went on sale in May 1953 with DH receiving a royalty from every car but he was also in charge of the competition side of the business and soon produced the 100S, of which only 50 were built. With streamlined bodywork and a supercharged engine, a 100S reached 192mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats with Donald Healey at the wheel. The car became known as the Big Healey and gained a large and loyal following. With great rallying success and a macho image the model continued in production for 14 years. In 1959 the first 3000 was offered, with 124bhp. By 1962 the BJ7 model was available with 132bhp, wind up Windows and a fully folding hood and in 1964 the MKIII came along, offering 148bph. The final incarnation was the MKIII, Phase II, which had a redisgned rear chassis and flashing indicators. Offered here is a MKIII, Phase II, which is described as being generally good order with reasonable interior. Once the property of the Yorkshire Car Collection in Keighley, from October 1975, the car was used extensively in promotion, including the Rallye de Paris in 2005. Recently recommissioned and equipped with an aluminium fuel tank and new mohair hood the car is offered complete with an MoT through to May 2008, numerous previous MoT certificates, an old V5, current registration document and Historic Tax through to April 2008.