2018-01-15 17:08:40 | pauls writes:

Car listed as sold at:
www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1562-Austin-Healey%20-BJ7%203000%20Mk.%20II-2.9%20L ...

Sellers description:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark II BJ7
s/n H-BJ7-L/23515, Engine No. 29F/RU/H 4376
Healey Blue with Blue Interior

The Austin-Healey 3000 cemented the company's reputation as a producer of serious, macho sports cars and epitomizes the idea of the "Big Healey". While the Mark III variant, with its four seat configuration, and wood dash, was sophisticated, the earlier cars, with their pared down metal dashes shared with early cars, have a purer sports car ethos. March of 1961, the Austin Healey 3000 Mark II brought several changes to the already excellent 3000 Mark. I. Interestingly, the Mark II exits in two forms, easily differentiated by whether the car has wind up windows or side curtains. That change also brought a wraparound windscreen which brought a more usable and practical sports car experience. The steering box, transmission, and suspension were improved as well. All Mark IIs featured a new front grille with vertical bars as well. Optional items on the car were much like those available on the MKI cars although the option of a factory hardtop was not made available until the introduction of the BJ7 cars in 1962. An optional brake servo was also available to improve braking performance from August of 1961. The BJ7 (2+2) remained in production until the introduction of the 3000 Mark III in October 1963. The BJ7 cars offer a desirable blend between the performance and styling of the early "big Healeys" and the further practicality, livability and added performance of the later cars.

After having been sold new by Oyster Bay Garage to a Ms. Hammond in New York, this particular car was the recipient of a recent and extensive restoration performed in 2008 to high standards. This restoration included a respray of the car in its original Healey Blue along with an extensive list of work done to the car's interior including new carpets, upholstery and gauges as needed along with custom seatbelts. The car also received a new matching navy blue top and tonneau cover for the top.

The restoration also included the car's mechanical aspects although the engine was deemed very healthy and therefore was not rebuilt at the time of the restoration. The car did however receive new brakes, clutch, valves and fuel pump along with a new overdrive. The car's condition can now be described as near-show and the car shows, runs and drives very nicely.

Since the restoration, the car has been casually shown and received several awards and trophies. Recently, the car has undergone further mechanical service including a valve adjustment, general tune and an overhaul to the hydraulic system. Additionally, work was done to convert the car to electronic ignition and to a spin-off oil filter. At this time, the car was also fitted with new wire wheels with new Vredestein tires.

The car's paintwork shows very nicely in its brilliant shade of Healey Blue and is overall very clean. It was done to very nice driver standards. There is a very small paint chip on the top of the right rear fender and several very small stone chips on the car's front end in the areas not covered by the car's clear plastic protective film. However, these small blemishes are practically unnoticeable and are only really evident on very close inspection. The car's top is very clean and fits well. The newly fitted wire wheels show very nicely and there are no blemishes to report on any of the wheels. Throughout the car, panel fitment is good.

The interior of the car is in excellent condition. The seats, both front and rear, are free of any wear and the leather remains very supple. The door panels are similarly nice and the carpets are excellent throughout. The dashboard, instruments, and switches are in excellent shape as well as is the interior chrome trim.

The car's trunk is clean and correctly trimmed. The spare tire is present, fitted with new Vredestein tire, as is the correct hold down. There are also two tool rolls, jack, hammer, and two tonneau covers. The car also comes with its original owner's manual and service booklet which verify its original sale in Long Island, NY. Along with these materials, there is a fair amount of documentation for the car including service receipts dating back to 1992, several trophies from events and a certificate from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust verifying the car's original factory specifications.

Overall, the engine is quite clean with restored parts showing nicely and original parts appearing in similar condition. The car's head and twin SU carburetors are all very clean and present nicely for casual showing. There is some aging on the car's exhaust.

The car runs and drives particularly well. There are no noticeable rattles and the ride is solid. The engine runs very smoothly from cold, maintains good temperature and pressure and pulls nicely. The clutch and transmission are solid throughout with smooth clutch engagement, operational overdrive and no growl in first gear (a common issue on 3000s). Brakes mirror the rest of the driving sensation and pull straight with no pulsation in the pedal. Overall, the car is very tight and drives like new.

Having benefitted from its recent and comprehensive restoration, this 3000 Mk. II is excellent example to drive or casually show. It is a matching numbers car that remains in its original color combination, and its restoration was performed with good attention to correctness. Its condition and tight driving dynamics as well as its beautiful color scheme make it a very desirable vehicle and it is ready to be enjoyed.