1964 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 For Sale
Sale Price: $89,995
We are delighted to offer for sale this very attractive 1964 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8. According to its Heritage Certificate it was originally delivered on March 7th 1966 to Vancouver, Canada, specified with overdrive, heater, adjustable steering column, wire wheels and laminated windscreen. The car retains its original engine making it a ‘matching numbers’ car.
We know in 1990 the car was in Australia and sold as a LHD car by the Healey Factory to Peter Fisher in QLD for $20,000. It was sold with a RHD conversion kit in preparation for a full restoration which Peter then commenced. The original ad and sales report is still in the history folder which accompanies the car.
The restoration took some time and was only completed around 2010. The work was extensive, including work to the body, engine, gearbox, trim and so on. No area of the car was left untouched. The car was painted in Colorado Red over White which looks stunning. (Originally it was British Racing Green).
In 2014 the car was bought my Murray Browning who drove the car quite regularly and maintained it where required. The current owner acquired the Healey this year, however due to an unfortunate change in circumstances now needs to release the car.
Notes in the history folder indicate the mileage when the car was restored was at 71,664 and it currently reads just 89,173. The car is in stunning condition and you would be forgiven for thinking the restoration was completed in the last 2 years!
The paint is in fabulous condition and has been very well applied. There is the odd stone chip at the front but they are small and hard to pick. The bright work is also excellent across the car except for some chrome lifting on one of the door trims but this piece can be easily replaced or the chrome redone. The wire wheels are also in wonderful order. The underside of the car is in excellent order too.
Once sat inside you are greeted by a dashboard that is simply gorgeous to the eye, and the cabin is simply a lovely place to be. All the gauges are clear and present very well as do the timber veneers all of which are like new. The leather seats are also like new. There is a tiny amount of wear on the driver’s side bolster due to the seat belt rubbing but it is very minor. The carpets are also like new throughout as is the hood and tonneau cover.
Turn the key and you really know you are in a ‘Big Healey’ with it issuing a lovely sonorous ‘burble’. It starts easily and settles into an even idle. Out on the open road the car is just superb. All the controls and inputs are easy to use. The clutch is not heavy; the brakes are even in their application and the steering is precise.
In summary this ‘matching numbers’ Healey is a lovely car that drives very well indeed. While the restoration is an older one it has clearly been done very well and ‘stood the test of time’.
These Healey’s are perfectly at home as a tourer; comfortable, practical with plenty of torque and power on tap. When you want to indulge in some ‘spirited’ driving they deliver in this respect too.
A large folder of documents and invoices supporting its detailed history accompany the car. Within these notes indicate the investment cost was some $75,000 over 20 years ago.
A recent service has been conducted ready for its next owner. What a lovely Healey 3000!
