2023-06-15 11:01:52 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1966-austin-healey-3000-mkiii-ndANA4

Seller's description:

1966 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII

Colour Red

Odometer 35,090 Kilometres

Engine size 2900

Seller Type Trade

Town Barcelona

Country Spain

Fully restored several years ago

Very good, original condition

Owned by a prominent Spanish collector and perfectly maintained

One of few Healeys originally sold in Spain 

Odometer reads 35,000km 

Owned by a prominent Spanish collector 

Kept in a workshop and run daily by an in-house mechanic 

Fully restored several years ago 

All original documentation with the car 

Includes original Madrid numberplate 

Fully insured and features valid government roadworthiness certificate (ITV) 

Full ITV history dating back to 1987 

The Interior 

Very good condition overall 

Enchanting amounts of patina 

Classy Moto-Lita steering wheel 

The cabin of this 1966 Austin-Healey looks to be in very good condition. As with the rest of the car, we are told this is a very original model despite going through a restoration process some years ago. 

From the dark carpets to the black leather seats with white pipe stitching, everything looks clean, though there are signs of patina in places. In fact, the Le Chaperon head unit and blower controls show a beautiful amount of age whilst the centre console upon which they are fitted looks to be in great shape. 

Elsewhere, a Moto-Lita wood rimmed steering wheel pairs nicely with the wood trim throughout the dashboard. The door cards look to be in excellent condition, as do the majority of chrome fittings throughout the cabin. From the window winders to the handles and even the somewhat hidden handbrake. Everything that should shine seemingly does. 

Further back, the boot looks to be well trimmed. Black carpet decorates much of the storage compartment in which one will find the spare wheel and toolkit. 

The Exterior 

Gorgeous bright red paint 

Very handsome model 

Chrome pieces all shine as they should 

On the exterior, this British sportscar looks right at home under the Spanish sun. In fact, it is finished in a gorgeous bright red that seems to change its shade beautifully depending on the angle of the light. This red colour blends well with the cream paint that completes the traditional Healey two-tone design. Furthermore, the chrome on the outside matches that of the cabin as it sparkles brilliantly. 

The Austin-Healey 3000 shape is one that will always be recognisable. Its long bonnet and aggressive grin give the car a sporty look which is only accentuated by the excellent paintwork. The soft-top looks good in its up position despite some small signs of damage. A hole and some scuff marks to its rear portion bear much of the brunt when it comes to this car’s condition. 

The car sits on a set of matching Vredestein Sprint+ tyres. These are fitted to wonderfully preserved wire spoke wheels that truly fit the car well. Underneath, there appears to be some dents to the exhaust, but the underside of this Healey looks positive for the most part. In fact, there are few signs of corrosion bar the odd mark of patina and everything looks intact.

The Mechanics 

Powerful inline-6 engine 

Drives as it should 

Reportedly very well maintained throughout its life 

Under the Austin-Healey’s long bonnet sits a 2.9-litre inline-6 powerplant of British Motor Corporation C-Series design. In this model’s Mk III iteration, it is said to be good for around 150hp. Couple the healthy number of ponies with a lightweight chassis and a manual transmission and you have a brilliant car for summer cruises. 

The vendor tells us that during the course of its life as part of the collection of a prominent car collector, the car has been very well looked after. The collector reportedly has their own workshop and mechanic who runs the car and maintains it on a daily basis. 

We are told that the car maintains speed nicely and can match those of modern vehicles without issue. Regular government roadworthiness test certificates will attest to the car’s health. In fact, it is currently fully insured and holds a valid ITV, so it is ready for its next owner to hit the road this summer.