This 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 Mk III was originally collected in England via the Personal Export Delivery program and have been transported to the US in 1967. The body had been refinished in navy blue, the cabin reupholstered in blue leather, and the 2.9-liter inline-six rebuilt. Work included replacing the top and top boot, fuel pump, battery, grille, chrome trim, braking system, alternator, ignition system, wheel bearings, heating system, and fluids. Equipment includes a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, chrome 15″ wire wheels, driving lights, dual SU carburetors, an Abarth exhaust system, Smiths gauges, and wood trim. Service in anticipation of the sale consisted of rebuilding the carburetors and replacing the tires.
The 2.9-liter inline-six was overhauled in 2008, and service included replacing the fuel pump, battery and cable, valve cover gasket, spark plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, carburetor fuel lines, choke cable, heater core, coolant valve, radiator and heater hoses, pinion seal. The carburetors were rebuilt in anticipation of the sale, and additional work included adjusting the valves, changing the fluids, converting the electrical system to negative ground, and installing a 45-amp alternator, a PerTronix electronic ignition system, and a dummy voltage regulator.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission with electric overdrive. The heat-wrapped exhaust system was produced by Abarth.
The BMIHT certificate indicates that the car was completed on May 7, 1965, for Personal Export Delivery. An owner’s manual, service records, and spare parts are also included in the sale.1
The bodywork was repaired and repainted in navy blue in 2007 and replacement chrome bumpers were installed. A tan Robbins soft top and blue top boot were installed by the seller, and the grille surround, and trim were re-chromed. Additional work consisted of replacing the grille, shroud badge, weather stripping, and Lucas Tripod headlights, as well as the headlamp bowls, gaskets, and bezels.
Chrome 15″ knock-off wire wheels were mounted with 165/80 Nexen SB-802 tires in anticipation of the sale, and a matching spare is located in the trunk. The suspension is fitted with replacement sway bar bushing and brackets. The front brake calipers were also rebuilt and replacement rotors, ceramic pads, wheel cylinders, shoes, springs, stainless steel lines, and a VH40 brake booster were installed. The wheel bearings, axle seals, and wheel spinners were also replaced.
The seats were re-trimmed in blue leather with blue piping in 2009. The dashboard, door panels, and center tunnel have also been reupholstered, and additional equipment includes blue carpeting, blue seatbelts, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, a heater, an ashtray, and a locking glove box. The heater boost fan has been repaired, and the wiper function has been adjusted to park when turned off.
The tachometer has been converted to solid-state operation, and the trafficator was rebuilt.
The banjo-style steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, water temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 12k miles, total mileage is unknown.
