2019-01-08 11:54:36 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 2/19
stock.morrisleslie.com/stock/details

Auction description;
1960 AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 Mk1 - 2912cc
ESTIMATE £38,000 - £40,000
Chassis number: BT76597 - First registered on the 4th February 1960, this example is presented with an excellent service file of reciepts and including some previous MOT's as well as a Heritage Certificate.

Lot No. 594
Reg: 399AYV
Type: 2dr Saloon
Registered: Feb 1960
Odometer: 17,372 miles Not Checked
Transmission: Manual
Fuel Type: Petrol
Colour: Red
V5: Here
Former Keepers: 4
MOT: -

2021-05-05 11:47:02 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 5/21

www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1960-austin-healey-3000-mk1-bt7-wndP2n

Auction description:

1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk1 BT7

Colour Red

Odometer 17,497 Miles

Engine size 2912

Location Hampshire

Country United Kingdom

・Original UK Car  

・Incredible low mileage Mk1

・Extensive history file with Heritage certificate

・Excellent condition

The example offered here is the more desirable BT7 with the extra rear seats. The Heritage Certificate tells us it was built in January 1960 with the additional options of a laminated windscreen and overdrive gearbox. The substantial history file stretches back to the early 1980s with plenty of documentary evidence to confirm the incredibly low mileage. The earliest recorded owner acquired the car in 1978, and it subsequently spent the next forty odd years in the Exeter area, having just four further owners before the Vendor purchased the car in 2019. Each of these owners added a few miles as can be verified by the MOT history and Certificates on file. For example in 1981 it had covered 10,327 miles, in 1987 that had crept up to 10,688. It has always had plenty of care and financial attention, particularly in October 2000 when it was stripped down, resprayed and rebuilt, with photos on file.

If you used £s per mile to measure the value this Healey has provided over its lifetime you’d have to come to the conclusion that it’s been a poor deal! A quick tot up works out at nearly £1 per mile for the 17,500 miles covered! The history file is full of bills that show more than just regular maintenance. The trail starts in the 1990s culminating in a rebuild and respray in October 2000 for £2,535. Other bills for maintenance in 2015 alone total £2400 for small parts and bushes etc in preparation for its MOT. There are numerous MOTs on file that show that document the slowly increasing mileage, plus a fine collection of tax discs.

The most recent expenditure since 2019 includes new seat foam and covers, interior trim and a new mohair hood. The total cost for the purchase and fitting is in excess of £2500. The most recent bill is from April this year for a Voltage Control Box. There is a new MOT in the file valid until 26 April 2022. 

As you would expect the interior is in great condition with smart black leather seats with white piping. The carpets are clean and well fitted. The dash appears to be original and just shows enough wear to prove it. The gauges all appear to be functioning correctly and are clear and uncracked. The door cards are all clean with no scuffs to the leather, with useful deep pockets that don’t feature on later cars. The rear seats appear to be unused, although you’d be hard pushed to find an adult to fit comfortably! The boot is clean and tidy, with paintwork that is as fresh as the exterior. The new hood fits well which is usually not the case, and the drop in side windows are easy to mount. The side widow Perspex is acceptably clear and the sliding sections move freely. There is also a split tonneau cover included which will provide shower protection for the interior when parked outside the pub!

On the day of our visit the Colorado paint glowed in the sunlight. There is barely a mark anywhere to be seen anywhere on the body as evident in the photographs. The panel fit is generally excellent except for the passenger door that could do with some adjustment, mainly due to new door seals. All the chrome shines brightly with only minor misting and pitting. The wire wheels are showing minor surface corrosion on the inner rims as can be seen in the photographs. 

In our opinion the exterior can be summed up in one word: gorgeous 

As you might expect the engine appears to be in fine fettle, starting easily every time we moved it for the photographs, showing a good 60 psi oil pressure at tickover (as can be seen in the photographs). It sounds crisp and raspy, - very sporting. Under the bonnet the engine bay is clean and smart, with lots of new parts. Underneath all appears well, with no obvious leaks or drips, and only the wear you would expect on a car of this age.