1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I (BT7)

History

Built in January 1960, and shipped to Canada in February of that year, it was bought new by a newly qualified dental surgeon in Northern Canada as a reward for qualifying, he kept the car for almost 40 years before selling it in 1999 to its second owner, a British expat, who in 2002 started a full ground up restoration. Due to an illness the restoration was delayed several times but was finally completed in late 2006. The work included a full bare metal rotisserie restoration with no area being neglected. Prior to being completely resprayed, the chassis was checked for correctness, sandblasted and restored to as new condition and resprayed in the matching body colour. The engine was stripped and checked over, with the head being rebuilt and fitted with hardened valve seats for modern fuels. The carburettors were rebuilt, the gearbox was also stripped and a number of new parts fitted as well as new mounts. A new wiring loom was fitted and the interior was fully retrimmed in red leather with a ribbed tonneau cover, new hood and side screens. This left-hand drive car was returned to the UK in 2017 by its third and current owner and presents stunningly in red with red and black interior. The car starts on the button and drives superbly with no rattles or squeaks, testament to the quality of the restoration, with recorded running temperature of 180 degrees and oil pressure of 40 psi when hot.

Body

The red and white bodywork presents extremely well, the body panels have a good fit, with many having been replaced or refurbished during the restoration. The accompanying history file details the panels replaced and the work carried out both to the chassis and the bodywork.

Interior

The interior was completely stripped and replaced with red leather piped in black with matching red dashboard, carpets and door panels, complemented by a black hood, tonneau and hood with new chrome work.

Mechanical

During the course of the restoration, everything mechanical was stripped, checked and rebuilt as applicable. The very detailed notes and invoices confirm that the following mechanical work was carried out: • Engine stripped, checked rebuilt with new gaskets seals, with a cylinder head conversion for unleaded fuel being carried out • Radiator rebuilt • Gearbox rebuilt with new parts and seals, new thrust bearing • Overdrive checked which works perfectly in 3rd and 4th gear • Suspension work carried out with four new shock absorbers.

A matching numbers example, it comes supplied with V5C registration document, Heritage Certificate and a comprehensive history file including receipts from the rebuild and photographic record of the restoration.

The condition of the car is very good due to having covered under a thousand miles since the restoration was completed and having been kept in a heated garage. The car has been assessed regularly, with the last assessment stating that everything ranges from very good to new, with updates and improvements over the years noted. We have recommissioned the car replacing and renewing components as required.