Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 Convertible (1966)

The Final and Most Refined "Big Healey" – 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 Convertible

If you wish to experience the pure pleasure of classic open-top motoring, it is difficult to go wrong with an Austin-Healey. Few sports cars of its era place the driver so intimately in touch with the road, the mechanicals and the surrounding landscape. British roadsters have long been celebrated for their simplicity, agility and performance, and the Austin-Healey embodies these qualities to perfection. Its competition pedigree is equally impressive, with notable successes at Le Mans and in numerous international rallies, where near-production cars once tackled countless Alpine passes in pursuit of victory.

With the introduction of the Mark III BJ8 in 1963, the Austin-Healey 3000 reached the pinnacle of its technical development and refinement. The BJ8 featured a revised rear suspension, a more comfortable chassis set-up and a significantly upgraded interior with elegant wood veneers and a beautifully finished dashboard. At the same time, it retained the unmistakable proportions that had defined the model from the outset: the long bonnet, short overhangs and muscular, purposeful stance. As a result, the BJ8 is widely regarded as both the most sophisticated and the most refined version of the legendary Austin-Healey 3000.

Power comes from the renowned 2,912 cc inline six-cylinder engine, producing 150 bhp and delivering abundant torque together with effortless flexibility. Paired with the four-speed manual gearbox and factory-style overdrive, the Healey is equally at home on winding country roads and extended touring journeys. Its distinctive exhaust note, direct steering and beautifully balanced handling ensure that every drive is an authentic celebration of classic British sports car motoring.

The example offered here is one of the final 150 bhp BJ8 models. Between 2010 and 2012, it underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by a specialist workshop dedicated to British classic cars. During this meticulous rebuild, a discreet electric power steering system was installed, greatly improving manoeuvrability without compromising the car's character. The rebuilt engine was upgraded with a high-performance radiator, an improved cooling fan, electronic ignition and a high-torque starter motor, among numerous other mechanical refinements.

Despite these carefully considered improvements, the Healey has retained its unmistakably original appearance. It has also become an exceptionally capable grand tourer, with additional luggage space created behind the seats to enhance practicality for longer journeys. The restoration is comprehensively documented by invoices, while an independent appraisal completed in late 2012 describes the work as being of "very high quality" and awarded the car an overall Condition 1 rating.

The current owner acquired the Healey in Baden-Baden in 2017. Since the restoration, the car has covered little more than 13,000 kilometres. Over the past nine years, a further CHF 35,000 has been invested in its continued improvement and maintenance. Among the most significant upgrades was the installation of an entirely new soft top, as the restoration had originally fitted only a cream-coloured hardtop, which is, of course, included with the sale. In addition, the present owner replaced the five-speed gearbox installed in 2012 with a professionally rebuilt overdrive gearbox of the original specification, thereby returning the drivetrain to its authentic factory configuration.

As a result, this Austin-Healey is perfectly prepared for everything from spirited Alpine passes to relaxed long-distance touring. It is offered with a valid Swiss Veteran registration, with its next routine inspection not due for another three years.