Austin-Healey 3000
{{short description|British sports car built from 1959 until 1967}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Austin-Healey 3000 at 2010 Ottawa British Auto Show.jpg
| caption = Austin Healey 3000 sports convertible
| name = Austin-Healey 3000
| assembly = Abingdon, England
| manufacturer = Austin-Healey (BMC)
| production = 1959–1967
| predecessor = Austin-Healey 100-6
| successor = MG MGC
| class = Sports car
| body_style = 2-door 2 or 2+2 seater roadster then convertible
| layout = FR layout
| engine = {{convert|2912|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} C-Series I6
| length = {{convert|157|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|60|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|46|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (Hood down)
{{convert|49.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (hard top)
| weight = {{convert|2550|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{unbulleted list|
{{convert|92|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}|
Track {{convert|49|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (front)
}}
| sp = uk
}}
The Austin-Healey 3000 is a British sports car built from 1959 until 1967. It is the best known of the "big Healey" models. The car's bodywork was made by Jensen Motors and the vehicles were assembled at BMC's MG Works in Abingdon, alongside the corporation's MG models.
During its production life, the car changed from an open sports car, albeit with a child-transporting 2+2 option, to a sports convertible. In 1963, 91.5 percent of all Austin-Healey 3000 cars were exported; mostly to North America. The 3-litre 3000 was a highly successful car, which won its class in many European rallies in its heyday and is still raced in classic car competitions by enthusiasts today.
British Motor Corporation ended manufacture in 1967, filling its place with a car with a new, though similar, engine in a newer monocoque chassis; the MGB variant named the MGC.
History
=Mark I=
==BN7, BT7 roadsters==
The Austin-Healey 3000 was announced on 1 July 1959 with a 3-litre BMC C-Series engine to replace the smaller 2.6-litre engine of the 100-6 and disc brakes for its front wheels. The manufacturers claimed it would reach 60 mph in 11 seconds and 100 mph in 31 seconds.{{cite news | title=A More Powerful Austin Healey | newspaper=The Times | date=1 July 1959 | page=9 | issue=54501}}
Other changes were minor compared to those between the original 100 and the 100–6. The wheelbase and body were unchanged as were the body-styles, a 2+2 or BT7 and a two-seater BN7.
Weather protection remained minimal, a folding plastic roof on a light demountable frame and above the doors detachable side screens holding sliding perspex panels. Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, laminated windscreen, heater, adjustable steering column, detachable hard top for the 2+2, and two-tone paint were available as options.
13,650 Mark Is were built: 2,825 BN7 open two-seaters, and 10,825 BT7 2+2s{{cite book |last=Clausinger |first= Anders Ditlev|title=Original Austin-Healey – The Restorers Guide to 100, 100-Six and 3000 |year=1990 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=UK |isbn=1-870979-13-3}}
;Road test
A BT7 3000 with hardtop and overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0–{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 11.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|21.6|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £1326 including taxes.{{cite journal |title = The Austin Healey 3000| journal =The Motor| date = 13 July 1960}}
File:Austin Healey 3000 VVJ 230.jpg|1959 Mark I BN7 open two-seater
File:1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mark I BT-7 (4586385575) (cropped).jpg|1960 Mark I BT7 open 2+2
File:Austin Healey 3000 Cockpit.jpg|Mk I (or Mk 2) open car showing sidescreen
=Mark II=
==BN7, BT7 roadsters==
Engines fitted with three SU HS4 carburettors (total area 5.3 sq. inches) and an improved camshaft were announced at the end of May 1961.{{cite news | title=More Powerful Austin Healey | newspaper=The Times | date=29 May 1961 | page=7 | issue=55093}} Other changes included a vertical barred front grille. Optional extras were similar to the Mark I. From August 1961 a brake servo was also available as an optional extra, which greatly improved braking performance. These were the last true Big Healey roadsters; the BN7 Mark II was discontinued in March 1962, and the BT7 Mark II in June 1962
;Road test
A 3000 Mark II BT7 (699DON) with hardtop and overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1961 had a top speed of {{convert|112.9|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0–{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 10.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|23.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £1362 including taxes.{{cite journal |title = The Austin Healey 3000 Mark II| journal =The Motor| date = 26 July 1961}}
==BJ7 sports convertible==
The 3000 sports convertible Mark II was launched at the end of August 1962. It was a true convertible with almost saloon car comfort, a new wrap-around windscreen, wind-up side windows, swiveling quarter lights and a quick-action folding roof. Twin SU HS6 carburettors replaced the triple SUs (total area 5.3 sq. inches, a 9.25% reduction). Austin-Healey claimed it could exceed 115 mph.{{cite news | title=Saloon Comfort In Sports Car | newspaper=The Times | date=27 August 1962 | page=5 | issue=55480}}
91.5 per cent of all 1963 Austin Healey 3000 cars were exported, with the majority going to North America.{{cite news | title=Greater Power For Austin Healey | newspaper=The Times | date=28 February 1964 | page=5 | issue=55947}}
11,564 Mark IIs were made: 355 BN7 open two-seaters, 5,096 BT7 2+2s, and 6,113 BJ7 2+2 sports convertibles
File:Austin Healey 3000 Mk II 1962 (16083096305).jpg|1962 Mark II BT7 open 2+2 showing sidescreens and fitted with optional wire wheels and hardtop
File:1962 Austin Healey 3000 MkII BJ7 (14315630835).jpg|1962 Mark II BJ7 sports convertible
=Mark III=
==BJ8 sports convertible==
The 3000 sports convertible Mark III was announced in February 1964 with power increased from 136 bhp to 150 bhp by a new higher lift camshaft. SU HD8 carburettors replaced HS6 units increasing the choke size from 1.75 to 2 inches, or total area 6.3 sq. inches, increasing by 30.6%. Power-assisted braking became standard instead of optional. The new car's fascia displayed its speedometer and tachometer directly in front of the driver. Upholstery was now in Ambla vinyl
The Mark III BJ8 remained in production until the end of 1967 when manufacture of the Austin-Healey 3000 ceased.
In May 1964 the Phase II version of the Mark III was released, which gained ground clearance through a modified rear chassis. In March 1965 the car received separate indicator lights.
17,712 Mark IIIs were manufactured.
File:Austin-healey 3000-6519 - Flickr - Ragnhild & Neil Crawford.jpg|1968 Mark III BJ8 sports convertible
File:1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1610.jpg|Mk III dashboard and interior
File:1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III DSCN1613.jpg|2+2 seating in the rear of a Mk III
{{Clear}}
=Mark IV=
As the life of the 3000 was drawing near, Healey considered various updates to help the car remain saleable while also meeting stricter emissions and safety regulations. Closest to reaching production was the 4000 Mark IV, of which three examples were finished in 1966 and 1967.{{cite magazine | magazine = Octane | first = David | last = Lillywhite | title = Healey Heaven | page = 66 | date = December 2004 | issue = 18 | volume = 2 }} Two were automatics and one was fitted with the four-speed manual transmission from the Jaguar E-type. The bodywork was {{convert|6|in|mm}} wider, the interior altered and made more spacious due to the extra width, but the main change was the aluminium 3.9-litre Rolls-Royce engine – the same unit which was fitted to the Vanden Plas 4-litre R.
=Pininfarina ''grand tourer''=
Pininfarina exhibited the 3000 as a closed roof grand tourer, designed by Pio Manzù, at the October 1962 Earls Court Show. It was the winning design from a competition by Swiss motoring publication Auto-Jahr.{{cite magazine | ref = IMS11 | title = Sportnytt på Earls Court |trans-title=Sporting News From Earls Court | page = 8 | language = sv | editor-last = Björklund | editor-first = Bengt | location = Lerum, Sweden | magazine = Illustrerad Motor Sport | number = 11 | date = November 1962 }}
=In racing=
Austin Healey 3000s have a long competition history, and raced at most major racing circuits around the world, including Sebring (USA), Le Mans (France), and Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst (Australia). The BMC competitions department rallied the 3000 from its introduction, but the development of the works cars effectively ended in 1965, mainly because of the success of the Mini Cooper 'S'.
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book | last=Bonds | first=Ray | title=The Illustrated Directory of Sports Cars | publisher=Motorbooks | year=2003 | isbn=0-7603-1420-9}}
- {{Holmes-UltConv | pages=24–25}}
{{refend}}
External links
{{Commons category|Austin-Healey 3000}}
- [http://www.austinmemories.com Austin Memories]—History of Austin and Longbridge
- [http://www.healeydata.com Volunteer register with records and photos of the 3000]
- {{imcdb vehicle|make=Austin+Healey|model=3000|Austin Healey 3000}}
- [http://www.automobile-catalog.com/list-austin-healey.html Austin Healey 3000 Mark I-Mark III]— specifications and technical data in automobile-catalog.com
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST86JM1RPl0|Everybody Wants To Rule The World Tears For Fears music video]— Featuring the Austin-Healey 3000
{{British Motor Corporation cars, 1952-1968}}
{{British Motor Holdings and British Leyland cars, 1966-1986}}
Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles