The production of the Austin Healey 3000BJ7 ended in October 1963. These Mark II examples are improved over their earlier Mark I predecessor with a wraparound windscreen, roll- up windows, vertical front grill bars, and improved convertible top design. Only 6,113 were produced over the approximate 3 years of production. We are excited to offer this gorgeous 1963 Austin Healey 3000 Mark II BJ7 Sports Convertible! Finished in factory correct Colorado Red with upgraded Black trim accented with red seat piping and correct Black convertible top! Powered by a correct 2912cc Inline 6-cylinder engine upgraded with triple SU HS4 carburetion, and 4-speed manual transmission with factory electronic overdrive! Other factory options included laminated windscreen, adjustable steering column, wire wheels, Smiths heater, and road speed tires! Optional accessories that enhance this Healey even further include the addition of beautiful 72-spoke chrome wire wheels, Michelin radial tires, polished stainless steel exhaust, dual fender-mounted mirrors, and new brake lines.
The car represented here was produced with a final release date of September 17th, 1962 to BMC Distributors, Inc located in San Francisco, CA. It will come with a British Heritage Trust certificate of authenticity showing it came with nearly all the popular options. It retains its original painted wire spoke spare tire, generator charging system, canister style oil filter, Lucas distributor and coil ignition, and correct gold faced Smiths gauges. As the story of this particular Healey goes, it was purchased by the second owners in 1965 to replace an accident damaged 1962 BT7 Roadster they loved dearly. The triple SU carburetion of that BT7 was quickly transferred to this BJ7 for increased horsepower and torque. It was then driven regularly throughout the balance of the 1960s before an effort to repaint the car commenced. To help save some of the labor cost of this process, the owner elected to prepare the car by removing and properly tagging all trim and interior parts. He then delivered the body & driveline ready for a total refinish to a friend ready for the paint job. Once the car was returned, the owners were preparing for a relocation to West Virginia.
The car and parts would travel with them and land in storage for approximately 15 years. After another move within West Virginia, the car would then find its way back to their home garage for another 15 years of dry storage! As with many stories of important and valuable cars, it would become the product of an estate asset and sold to British car specialist, Michael Gassman, of Gassman Motors in Waynesboro, VA in May 2009, after being ignored for some 44 years. He quickly recognized the overall, outstanding California rust-free structure with perfectly straight chassis underneath that still, even today, possesses the original factory applied red paint underneath! Gassman Motors professional restoration services allowed to quickly freshen up the paint, reassemble the car with original components that included the fully tuned original engine retaining the rare triple carburetion, new clutch, resealed transmission, new suspension, all new exhaust, reupholstered seats in the current presentation along with new padded carpet, door panels, fresh dash, new trunk kit, new wiring throughout, cleaned gas tank, new fuel pump, new chrome components including new wire wheels/tires, weather stripping, convertible top, trim components, windshield, etc. In just 6 months, it was then sold to William Mays of Lynchburg, VA with 48,785 actual miles on the odometer as a frame-up restoration.
It would later be purchased by the St. Louis Car Museum & Sales when we first represented this car in June 2011 with 49,024 miles on the odometer, which was listed as actual mileage on the past two title copies at that time. We sold it in October 2011 to longtime sports car enthusiast collectors, George & Rose Wamser, who enjoyed this BJ7 for the next 8 years. It would sell from our showroom again to a collector in Brunswick, Georgia that May 2019 with an odometer reading of 49,678. This new owner elected to immediately convert the factory positive ground charging system over to negative ground upon purchase along with install brand new Vredstein Sprint Classic tires (5) and RetroSound Motor 1 under dash radio. Each caretaker allowed it to be driven sparingly and cared for passionately! It is now offered back in our museum showroom once again 4 years later.
It showcases an older but very well maintained 13-year-old restoration today! The chrome and interior upholstery still appear excellent! The convertible top is still new, and the exterior paint finish remains very sharp with only a few minor touch-ups. The engine bay and undercarriage also remain very presentable for a car that continues to be driven and enjoyed. It was recently tuned and is a wonderful performer making it a fun all around cruiser! The current odometer reading is 49,841 miles today. Please feel welcome to call with additional questions or to schedule an appointment to see the car in person. Thanks for looking!
