Saleofcar.com :Austin

Austin Healey 3000 (1965)
for sale

Price: US $5,655.00

Description:

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. .. .. ... 1965 Austin Healey 3000 MK III (BJ8 - Phase 2) Big Healey . .. .. ...
. .. ... VIN #  HBJHL-32092 . .. ..
. .... Manufactured by: Austin Healey (BMC - Abingdon, England, UK)  . ....
. . Odometer is not working - reads 11, 846 Miles  - actual approx. 60, 000 or so . . . .. Exterior color:  
'Metallic Ice Blue  - color code 2301M  . ..
. .... Interior color:  
Blue  . ....
 _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Through the following photos and descriptions (there are many as there is nothing to hide here), I'll attempt to show what a well cared for vehicle this 1965 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III is.  Please view all the photos and read the descriptions ... then decide for yourself if this the vehicle for you. Interspersed with photos of this 1965 example are several period ads for the car as well as a few comparison photos of a restored Healey of the same era just to get the juices flowing. This Austin Healey 3000 MK III has had a single owner for the last 30+ years.  
It has been used as a weekend driver and garage stored when not actually being used. The profile of these Big Healeys is pure sports car - short trunk and long hood. From any angle the sensuous body lines flow together a speak open top exhilaration. As a true survivor this Healey can be driven as-is or taken to a full restored example while still having the pleasure of driving it on a weekly basis. The 'Ice Blue' metallic paint is an original color for this car and compliments it quite well.
The paint is in good condition as shown, especially having been applied over 30 years ago as a cosmetic touchup by it's previous and first owner. Peeking out below the left rocker panel you can see part of the stainless steel exhaust system that was added a few years back. Two-tone paint is something you often see on restored Healey 3000 Mk IIIs.
Should you decide to restore the example being offered here, it's an option you may wish to consider. Whitewall tires are period correct and are sometimes seen in vintage factory photos. This is not a 'show car' but rather a driver that has been well cared for since day one. A pristine restored example such as this can command well upwards of $1000, 000.
Direct link to Hagerty Insurance classic car values (if anyone knows classic car values it's Hagerty):
 Click Here
Search for 1965 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 ph2 When valuing this particular Austin Healey 3000 Mk III, consider it to be a on the upper end of 'Vehicle condition #4 - the lower end of 'Vehicle condition #3'. As you will well see, this Healey 3000 Mk III is priced to sell. - it's not just some dream price. A 1965 ad for the Austin Healey 3000 Mk III - Phase 2 ... with added walnut trimmings. Here's some photos of the interior ... The dashboard is now showing signs of age - some cracking to the upper vinyl surface, some pitting of the chrome and various cracks to the finish of the walnut burl trimmings. The speedometer is not working and the tachometer is jumpy and never seems to give an accurate reading of the RPMs. The odometer registers 11, 846 miles.  This is not correct although the title reads 11, 000+ miles.  I figure the car now has about 60, 000+ miles on it. The odometer has never turned over 100k. Original AM radio and single speaker. This photo shows the aging finish to the walnut burl.
The wood is quite intact but the finish has deteriorated. As a comparison, this photo shows a restored interior with new 'everything'
This is how the interior would have looked on the showroom floor, although with the correct walnut burl rather than the straight grained walnut shown here.   Medium to dark blue in color with contrasting white piping on the seat upholstery. The seats and door upholstery were renewed about 5 or so years ago.
The now show wear appropriate with that age. Occasional seating for two in the rear ... more child size than adult. Another view of the rear seats. A period ad marketing these 'Big Healeys' to the landed gentry. The 'Austin Healey 3000 MK III BJ8' was the top-of-the-range of all the Austin Healeys produced.
It had all the refinements worked out through the previous models. Note pitting to the grills' chrome surround. The 2, 912 (2.9L) inline 6-cylinder with dual HD8 carburetors.
This coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission with electric actuated overdrive. The engine is 'un-restored' and has never been rebuilt although regular maintenance has been performed throughout the years. Some replacements and upgrades over the last couple of years include: 
Brakes rebuilt
New power brake unit.
New whitewall tires
New idler box.
Overdrive unit serviced and working properly
New gear starter
New and upgraded electric fuel pump. A restored example looking better than the day it left the Healey factory. Dual HD8 carburetors feed its fuel needs. One of the ID plate on the bulkhead firewall. An artist rendering of a two-tone Austin Healey 3000 Mk III . The tires have less than a couple of thousand miles on them and have 95%+ tread remaining. The tire size is:  P205/70R15 Left front ... A matched set of 4 'Uniroyal - Tiger Paws'. Left rear ... A two page magazine ad from the mid 60s. Now, a look in the trunk ... Spare wire wheel and fire extinguisher. Notice here that the trunk lid is fiberglass.  Same for both front fenders. With thoughts of SCCA racing back in the late 70s the trunk lid and both front fenders were replaced with the lighter fiberglass ... an added edge when racing. The dreams of racing never came to fruition but this upgrade now saves weight and there is no chance of rust here which was quite common for these Healeys. A closer look at the spare ... The gas tank is in quite nice condition with no rust issues whatsoever. The area circled in yellow shows the extent of rust on this vehicle.
This and a small rust bubble on the hood shown in a detail photo later in this listing The brass 'knock-off' hammer for the wheels is shown in the upper left of this photo. Another period ad fro the 60s. Right rear ... Right front ... Nice straight body lines. The driver's door protrudes slightly as the door's striker plate needs adjusted. Nice and straight lines on the passenger's side as well. Notice the dual exhaust.  
_{update: 2015-06-29}