1959 Austin Healey BT7L 3000 Mk1 running & driving. Last plated in 1970 red/red

1959 Austin Healey 3000 3000 Mk 1 Description

1959 Austin Healey 3000 BT7L Vin #HBT7L1176

British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate-

Engine number 29D-RU-H1324, Body number 1035, LHD, North American Export, Colorado Red, Red interior, Black top, Build date 5/1/1959, Dispatch date 6/2/1959, Destination Dusseldorf, Germany, Key number FP.709, Options - Wire wheels, Heater, Overdrive, Laminated windscreen, Roadspeed tyres, European specification headlamps

I found this car behind a barn in central Montanain Spring of this year. The owner had purchased the car in the Fall of 1970 with the intention of getting it running and restoring it. He removed the windshield and wheels, placed it on blocks and put an aluminum truck topper over it.

A big fan of survivor cars and barn finds, I purchased the car and set about getting it roadworthy over the course of this summer. I am a competent mechanic with 37 years of experience and will all types of cars. I have owneda MGA, MGTD, Triumph TR6, and a Midget.

After cleaning the car thoroughly I set about getting it drivable while I decided if I should keep it, restore it, or just make it drivable as-is.

Knowing that the car had not turned over in 46 years,I set about soaking the cylinders and pulling the rocker cover and oil pan. The bearing caps were removed, all of the bearing were found to be in excellent condition, lubed them with engine assembly lube and retorqued them to specs. While the pan was off I reached into the motor and wiped the cam lobes with assembly lube as well. I did the same with the rocker shaft and valve tips and stems. I scoped the cylinders and found the to be rust-free. After spinning the engine over to ensure oil pressure (I use Joe Gibbs oils), I was delighted to have it attempt to fire immediately. Excellent oil pressure and smoke-free.

I then set about doing the following-

Replaced the fuel tank, rebuilt the stock fuel pump, rebuilt the cars, changed all fluids, checked the electrics, installed a Pertronix ignition and coil, new piston and seals in the front calipers, repacked wheel bearings, new front tires, new clutch master and slave cylinder, new front brake hoses, inspected all wiring, etc. I have driven it about 200 miles, including to my local Bozeman, MT car show where got a lot of attention!

The electrics, overdrive, and engine perform well.

The body has rust in the following area - trunk floor, lower front fenders, rear fenders ahead of tires, and the heel area of the driver floor. Rockers are intact but dented.

The is no rust on the frame, but it does have a dent in one of the frame rails, which the previous owned says came from moving it with his tractor.

The cars has lots of dents and scrapes. The trunk lid is beat all to hell. Doors are nice an rust free, as is the hood. Car had bondo/fiberglass rust repair in the lower front fenders at some point in it's life and was repainted. No bumpers.

The car will be sold with the rear disc wheels that were on it when I bought it (with 46 year old snow tires). The Halibrands pictured are off my Kurtis Kraft and ARE NOT included in the sale.

I was planning on keeping it but have an opportunity to buy back a '67 Hemi 4-speed GTX that I sold several years ago and want the cash.

Clear Montana title in my name and British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate dated 7/13/2016.

Windshield frame is there, but the glass need to be replaced. There are no top bows.

What did I miss?

Call me 406-570-9552 Pete 9-8 Mountain Time. Feel free to ask for additional photos or videos.

Car is for sale locally and I will end the auction early for a CA$H deal. Car needs to be picked up in Bozeman, Montana. My property can handle a transporter turn around. Car is sold as-is where-is with no warranty implied. I have 100% eBay feedback all the way back to 2004 and have sold a Porsche to Germany, a Plymouth to Belgium, and a '68 Charger to Sweden with excellent feedback. No trades.

On Sep-28-16 at 07:08:17 PDT, seller added the following information:

I received a few calls yesterday. Here are my answers -

Additional things done but not mentioned - new radiator hoses, new sway bar bushings and end links, new door striker on drivers door.

While the car is drivable, I would not call it fully sorted, and the exhaust system is broken off under the drivers floor.

The gentleman I bought it from could not find where he put the ignition key 46 years ago so the current key is a screwdriver.

I grew up in Indiana and live in Montana, the opposite ends of the rust-belt spectrum. While this car does have rust, it's Western rust and is cosmetic and not structural. For a Healey, this one has good bones.

A friend offered me two 15" wires for the rear yesterday. I'll throw them in, but I do not have the adapters or knockoffs.

The 100,000 miles in the listing is inaccurate. Actual mileage is unknown.

The windshield frame is usable, the glass is cracked and needs to be replaced.

I do not have the bumpers or side screens.

Thanks, and don't hesitate to call of you have a question - 406-570-9552

On Sep-28-16 at 07:11:57 PDT, seller added the following information:

Someadditional photos here

http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/moparmontana/slideshow/1959%20Austin%20Healey%203000