1966 Austin Healey 3000 MK II - Matching Numbers BJ8 - Simple, Straight Project

1966 Austin Healey 3000 Description

Further cleanout of surplus vintage cars and parts: This is a no reserve auction and the Austin Healey will be sold regardless of price, on or off auction.

THE STORY:

Am 76 and it's time to let go of my extensive British car collection. Started about 50 years ago and the main objective was to buy one owner, original paint, rust free cars for pleasure and investment. Tough job. True original survivors were few and far between and the majority of the leftovers were pummeled to within an inch of their lives or were "weekend restored" junk, rusty beaters, money pits or overpriced trailer queens with a dubious history. An unrestored original, even though it may have faults, gives an accurate assessment of it's overall real condition along with plenty of time honored character (or the nauseating word "patina"). I don't have any trailer queens or junk.

THE REST OF THE STORY: This Austin Healey is a good original unmolested 1966 3000 MK III convertible refinished in British Racing Yellow. (I know). It is a complete numbers matching car, verified by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate which comes with the car. A simple project that you could have on the road in a day or two. Check the lines on the car - straight, clean, original and complete. A perfect car for the person who has been waiting for a nice original BJ8 without a high price tag and can do some minor mechanicals and details themselves. I purchased it from a lady (whose name is on the title) about 30 years ago and it was running and driving at that time. It was put in storage and left there until removing it from storage about one month ago. It runs but does not drive - I have no time to replace/rebuild the hydraulics required to get it on the road. The British Heritage certificate lists it as being built 29-30 December, 1965. It was a personally ordered car and was sent to the new owner in the USA January 17, 1966. Original color was British Racing Green with black interior and black convertible top. Originally equipped with wire wheels, overdrive, heater, adjustable steering column, laminated windscreen, whitewall tyres and black tonneau cover. The photos were taken with two different cheap 20 year old cameras - you will notice the difference in color. Scroll down to the end to see more photos. PRESENT VALUE:

As of this writing Hagertys classic car values the 1966 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 Phase 2's at $32,900 fair, $49,300 good, $80,900 excellent and $131,000 concours. NADA Classic car value guide lists the same car at $28,500 low, $70,100 average and $123,100 high. It is also of course an investment as, unlike most cars, the value will more than likely increase over time.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

ENGINE:

Correct original aluminum engine number Identification plate is intact on the engine reading 29K-RU-H/9086. Correct original engine. Very good oil pressure, no noises. All of the original fuel related items are intact and look to be in excellent condition such as the original fuel tank, steel fuel lines, flexible fuel lines, electric fuel pump (in it's original position), carburetors, air cleaners. I haven't the time to clean any of these items to get the car running from it's own fuel tank but it started right up and ran fine when fuel was fed to the carburetors by a remote tank. Carbs weren't even clogged up. (the rear carb does leak). Engine oil is full and clean.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

Excellent condition. Solid and straight. Zero rust, zero damage, zero modifications. Stock factory unmodified original. Serial and body plates are correct and intact. All of the original asbestos heat/noise barriers are still excellent and intact. Includes all original accessories like carburetors (with the correct aluminum ID tags), generator (correct dated original), water pump, radiator, starter, horns, voltage regulator, relays, air cleaners, heater motor, etc, etc, etc - Nothing has been cut, butchered, modified. All original and functioning, even the small items that would normally be missing are there. Original radiator is in excellent condition and there are no water leaks anywhere. The hood latch and inside the cockpit hood opener are intact and work perfectly.

TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH:

Transmission is the correct original matching numbers mate to the above engine. 4 speed all syncro with overdrive. There seems to be no problems with the transmission as it was started in all 5 gears and went through each gear fine on jack stands, just was not able to run through each gear using the clutch because the clutch disc is stuck to the flywheel. The miracle here is that the clutch master and slave cylinders, after sitting for 30 years, are still functioning fine. Was not able to test the overdrive unit but when operating the overdrive switch with the engine not running you can hear the overdrive solonoid kick in. It is a simple job to unstick the clutch disc but it requires two people and I can't do it myself..

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

Solid, nice and straight. 60 spoke original spare wire wheel is in the trunk. Good looking unrusted gas tank is there with everything intact and hooked up to the lines. Excellent steel unrusted battery box. Original Lucas battery on/off rotating switch is intact with good original wiring and works perfectly. No battery provided.

SHEET METAL BODY PANELS/CHASSIS:

The underneath chassis of the car is in excellent condition. No rust through anywhere. The frame, cross members and outriggers are very good, unrotted and undamaged with the exception of the top edge of the frame in the center of the car as explained below. Most of the factory asbestos heat/sound insulation barriers are still intact and in good shape. Front and rear shrouds and front and rear valances are in excellent undamaged, unbondoed condition. These are normally bashed to pieces on a Healey. The car obviously has never been in an accident. It should have floor pans - they can be patched but it would be easier and smarter to do it right. The rear fenders are solid from top to bottom but both doglegs need to be fixed. Right front fender is good from top to bottom. Left front fender is good except for holes on the bottom. Outer rockers have some bubbling and there is some frontal rust through on the inner rockers. Can be patched but just replace the inner and outer rockers and do a proper job. Doors and door bottoms are very solid. The frame on the inside top corner - just under the floor pans - has some small rust through areas which can easily be patched. The left one has an area that is about 1" wide by 15" long and the right one has an area about 1/2" wide by 4" long. Nothing major but these areas need to be patch welded. They are both on the very top outside edge - no problem on the sides or the bottom. Standing water and wet carpet at some point obviously created this condition. Doors, hood, trunk lid, top frame all fit well.

EXTERIOR BODY PARTS:

Everything is original and in good condition. Bumpers, bumper guards, bumper brackets, tail lights, grille, etc, etc, etc. The original Lucas license plate light assembly is still there and is excellent. Even the original Lucas reflectors under the outer edges of the rear bumper are there. The top of the grill surround is good but the bottom of it is pitted heavily. The grille itself is excellent. Has the original good Lucas headlights.

GLASS:

The windshield and side glass are all original factory Triplex items and are in excellent undamaged, unscratched condition. The passenger side glass came off of the track and so I took it out for protection and it is with the car. Drivers side rolls up and down.

INTERIOR/Upholstery:

The interior is still in usable condition but a redo would help. Top of dash is cracked badly. There is no carpeting. Original door mouldings and seals are still there - never replaced or messed with. Everything looks to be complete including the rear seats and fold down squab.

DASH AREA:

The dash and instruments are still in decent usable condition. Under the dash is very tidy and neat - nothing cut or butchered and it is still painted the nice original factory British racing green. This is what works: Lights, horns, turn signals, windshield washer pump, overdrive switch, windshield wipers, tachometer, speedometer, heater, heater fan, oil pressure gauge, choke, generator, ignition key on/off/start. Not tested are the fuel gauge and water temperature gauge but they look very good and are still hooked up properly with no damage.

TOP:

The original convertible top frame assembly is excellent, complete with all hardware and functions very well. It is not rusted at all. The original tatered 52 year old factory convertible top is still hanging on but of course needs replacing.

PAINT:

We nicknamed this color combination British racing yellow because for a non factory color it has a certain appeal and looks a bit agressive. No matter - the paint is old and no good anyway. It CAN be used in it's condition because the paint is Imron and is tough as nails - but again, it is old and touched up in many places with an off color yellow. Anyway, just have it painted later on unless your wife likes it like this. Fortunately they did leave the original factory green paint on the door jambs and engine compartment..

TIRES & WHEELS:

The five 60 spoke original wire wheels are in good condition. All 5 tires are strictly throw aways.

EXHAUST:

None - needs complete new exhaust system..

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:

Suspension looks to be all original and intact. Disc brakes up front and drums on the rear. Drums have not been off for inspection but the car rolls and steers easily - nothing is frozen....Obviously the car will need new wheel cylinders and brake master cylinder. I opted not to fix the brakes because I am tired of working on brakes - filthy work and too much time for me.

MISCELLANEOUS:

I do not detail the cars for show but I do clean them up so you are not repulsed by rodent litter, possum dung or fossilized french fries. I do this so that you and I can actually see what is there, what might be missing and a good visual of it's overall condition. There is no tonneau cover.

PAPERWORK:

Comes with a bill of sale and a clear title. Also comes with the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate.

FACTORY ID PLATES: The Austin Healey factory vehicle identification ID plate, body plate and engine number plate are intact and correct. The vehicle serial number is HBJ8L34440. Engine number is 29K-RU-H/9086.

AIR CONDITIONING:

None. Aftermarket air conditioners can be installed if need be - the new units are excellent, compact and very efficient.

INSPECTION OF CAR: It is difficult at best to describe something as complex as a vehicle and it is highly recommended that you personally inspect the car or have a 3rd party inspect it for you. I can accomodate anyone to show them the car. It is described to the best of my ability along with many good photos but it is the bidders ultimate responsibility to ensure that what he thinks he is getting is indeed one in the same and something he will be happy with. I have purchased and sold roughly 25 autos through ebay over the past 19 years and also many more over the telephone and have always had excellent results and complete satisfaction from the buyers but I do my due diligence and suggest you do the same.

SHIPPING: I have shipped many cars to all parts of the world over the years and can assist the buyer with transport. The car is in a secure place at my home and you can have it transported from there. I can assist with loading. The car can stay here for up to 30 days or close to it from the close of the auction.

PAYMENT & BIDDING: Contact me if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid WILL be cancelled. A $1000 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 5 days via priority or overnight mail with a bank cashiers check or cash. No Paypal for the balance. Payment is to be made IN ADVANCE of collecting the car. IN ADVANCE, BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE CAR - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Full payment is due BEFORE the car is collected. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like it - if that is your intention, please do not bid on the car. If you cannot trust me, my reputation, the description and the extensive photos then it is your responsibility to inspect the car yourself or have a third party inspect it for you. When the auction is over payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. I have sold approximately 25 cars and motorcycles on ebay and they all have been a bargain. This one certainly is. No Paypal for the balance. If the car has not reached what I consider to be a fair price the auction will be cancelled before the 12 hour end mark.

SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE VINTAGE CAR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

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