The "big Healey" 3000 Mk I fully retained the essence of its curvaceous long hood/short deck progenitor, the Austin-Healey 100/4 sports convertible of 1953. At the time of its arrival in 1959 few would have guessed the low-slung big Healey would triumph over its apparent shortcomings so effectively that it now rates as one of the most successful rally cars of the 1960s.

Designed as a sports car and indeed quite successful in rallying and racing, the Austin Healey had by 1959 evolved into the more civilized 3000 Mk I. Equipped with Girling front disc brakes, this tourer was quite enjoyable for daily driving—while its torquey 2,912cc 124hp twin-SU carbureted six-cylinder engine and four-speed manual overdrive transmission provided performance worthy of its sporting heritage.

The Austin-Healey 3000 BT7offered here, one of the earliest 3000 models, is presented in striking Healey silver blue metallic and trimmed in midnight blue leather. The early 3000s are perhap