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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen-Webb's
• Sale Name:
  The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars
• Sale Date:
  04 Dec 2016 ~ 2.30pm (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  100
• Lot Description:
  1965 AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000 BJ8 MK III 2+2 CONVERTIBLE WITH HARD TOP
  Chassis no: HB5826904; Engine no: 1456
• Notes:
  The Austin-Healey is an icon in the truest sense of the word. This fine-looking sports car's form and design has more than captured the hearts and seized the imagination of four generations of driving enthusiasts as an object of uncritical devotion. It all began when the Healey 100 prototype was released at the London Motor Show, in 1952, as a joint project between Donald Healey and BMC's Leonard Lord. It became the first affordable sports car capable of 100mph. Although it appeared the deal had materialised overnight to utilise the embarrassing number of engines made redundant by the failure of the Austin Atlantic, it had in fact been in the wings for some time. And so, joining forces, Healey and Lord built the car they and sports car enthusiasts loved in its original design. Available for 850 GB pounds, America ordered $7million of advanced stock immediately! Speaking of the design concept, Donald Healey said, "I wanted to produce a very fast car capable of 100mph, which would also be exceptionally cheap to buy and easy and economical to maintain.' The body was styled by Gerry Coker and even as the car progressed from 4 to 6-cylinder engines and the car grew in sophistication, it retained its beguiling body styling. Tough, agile and reliable, the Austin Healey 100-4 and its derivatives became giants of rallying and sports car racing with Pat Moss driving a 100-6 and a 3000 Healey in epic road races such as the Liége-Rome-Liége. Commenting on the brute-force of these cars, Moss said, 'If you do not catch it after a couple of snakes it is a case of saying Goodbye and Good Luck.' In 1959, Austin-Healey released the 3000 offering the same familial charm as the 100-6 with updates including Girling front disc brakes and an improved BMC C-Series 2,912cc inline 6-cylinder engine taking the car to a top speed of 114mph even with the optional hard-top in place. The 3000 continued the marques' astonishing commercial success and formidable competition glories. And then, in 1961, the 3000 Mk. II was introduced with a restyled grille and bonnet intake and became the last 3000 available as a two-seater. Triple SU carburettors and a revised camshaft increased the output 131bhp at 4,750rpm. Also at this time, a new gearbox was fitted. In January 1962, the twin-carburettor Mk. II convertible BJ7 Sports (or Mk. IIA) appeared only as a 2+2 with refinements such as winding windows, curved windscreen, swivelling quarter-lights and fully collapsible soft-top with a detachable rear window. The forfeiture of one carburettor lost merely 2 bhp in performanceÑably compensated by the improved aerodynamics. Production of the Mk. II ceased on the introduction of the 3000 Mk. III, in 1963. And so, with twin SU 2" HD8 carburettors and a revised exhaust system, this highly evolved pedigree sports car with its 3-litre six-cylinder engine produced 150 hp, more than any other Austin-Healey. It could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds with a top speed around 120 mph. The BJ8s signature feature is the luxurious cockpit of burled walnut and a centre console. 17,712 BJ8s were built from 1964-1967. In May 1964, the Phase II version of the Mark III was released, which gained ground clearance through rear chassis modifications. In March 1965 the car received separate indicators. This good example painted in Signal red with red vinyl interior trim and red carpet has a proud place in the Savage Collection. Roy savage purchased this car in 1999 from Craig Swift, a well-known identity in NZ motoring circles. With earlier provenance yet to be verified, the car was first registered in New Zealand in September, 1965. The longest recorded ownership took place between 1969 and 1999 when held in Red Beach. Roy Savage acquired the car on 3rd September, 1999 and it now shows a mere 20,000miles approx. on the clock. Invoice records show that a regular servicing and maintenance regime has been carried out, including the braking system being overhauled, in 2014. A much revered sporting car, this Austin Healey makes its mark within the Savage Collection and as a New Zealand delivered car would make a most desirable collectors' acquisition. This vehicle will be sold licenced with WoF
• Estimate:
  NZ$70,000 - 85,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.