Highly original example
1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III Phase II Convertible
Chassis no. H-BJ8-L/40422

What would turn out to be the final 'Big Healey' variant, the 3000 Mark III with 148bhp engine, appeared early in 1964 to be followed later in the year by the Phase II version with increased ground clearance – addressing a long-term criticism – and revised rear suspension incorporating twin radius arms instead of a Panhard rod. Top speed was now 121mph and the 0-60mph time dipped below 10 seconds. Despite the antiquity of the basic design the 'Big Healey' remained as popular as ever, though increasingly stringent safety and emissions legislation meant that its days were numbered.

Dating from the final year of production, this left-hand drive Austin-Healey 3000 was built on 31st January 1967 for the North American Export market. The car was fitted with the following options: wire wheels, heater, adjustable steering column, black tonneau cover, laminated windscreen, Roadspeed tyres and an overdrive, and was finished in black with matching convertible top and red interior trim. It was sent to the Connecticut dealership Hambro Inc and sold new to Mrs Anna Rader Smith on 18th October 1967. On 22nd June 1987 Mrs Smith gave the car to her son, Emil James Smith, by which time it had covered 7,981 miles. Emil Smith lived in Florida and the Healey moved there, though it was seldom driven, resulting in its preservation in remarkably original condition.

Owned by a single family for almost its entire life, the car comes with exceptionally comprehensive documentation including the original invoice, window sticker, and registration document (all from 1967); owner's handbook; Austin-Healey instruction manual; and the bill of sale from Mrs Smith to her son.

In September 2018 the car was sold to the current vendor, a prominent Belgian private collector, and exported to Belgium. At that time, it had covered only 8,087 miles and had never been restored or repainted. The renowned German experts FSP, with Sebastian Hoffmann as Classic Car Consultant, carried out a thorough examination and gave the Healey a 'AAA' rating (the highest possible), confirming it as highly original, while its FIVA passport (issued 19th January 2020) categorised it as 'A/1' (A = 100%; 1 = original). Finally, the car was also evaluated by the respected Belgian Classic Car expert Gert Beets, who concluded: "This car is in an unbelievable original condition. It is very rare to find a Healey in such un-restored/unmolested low mile condition". Since joining the owner's collection, the car has been driven sparingly to keep the mileage total low; indeed, even now the odometer reading is only 8,143 miles.