50s Austin Healey 3000 mk1 - a glamorous British classic sports car

This car (at the time of filming!) is for sale. For more details and viewings, please contact Chris on 07710 636550. Please note: this sale is not linked to me and it's simply a friend selling due to change in health. This is not a paid endorsement, sponsorship or partnership and it is a private, not dealership, sale. About the Austin Healey 3000 mk1 Austin Healey 3000 After we recently tested kev’s MGC, there were several requests to test an Austin Healey 3000; so when Chris told me he was putting his up for sale for health reasons and said I could drive it before it sold, i jumped at the chance. Now we’ve tested a MK3 before, but a MK1 of any vehicle is special because it’s where the story begins and the story began for the 3000 in 1959 when the car was introduced to replace the 100-6. It was a meaty step up: the 100-6 had been fitted with a 2.6 litre engine and this new 3000 was fitted with the BMC C-Series engine which was a 3 litre unit. It’s actually 2,912cc for those who like precise detail and it was fitted with twin hd6 semi-downright SU carbs giving 130bhp at 4,750rpm. The 100-6, the outgoing model, was 100hp hence the name, meaning buyers were getting a decent step up by going for the new 3000. The solid skirt aluminium alloy pistons were designed with 3 compression rings and one slotted oil control ring and the timing chain was automatically adjusted by a slipper-type tensioner. The brakes were also upgraded from the drums to the girling discs at front and there were the two body styles: the 2+2 as we’re testing and the two seat roadster. A brochure from the time shows the optional extras as Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, a laminated windscreen, a heater, an adjustable steering column, a detachable hard top, radio and two tone paint. Another feature which is pushed in brochures and should probably be mentioned, is the lockable boot. I don’t think I’ve tested anything from this era without one, but the brochure waxed lyrical of the security of the lock and the fact you could leave the car unattended. It should be no surprise this particular example got exported, because they were incredibly popular overseas. So much so in fact, that by the MK2, over 90% were destined for the export market! Of the MK1, there were 13,650 made, with the vast majority, over 10,000 being the type we’re testing today, the 2+2. The MK2 was introduced in 1961 and with it, brought improvements. The 3000 was eventually discontinued in 1967 but still proves ever popular today around the world.