Mark I BN7, BT7 roadsters The Austin-Healey 3000 was announced on 1 July 1959, with a 3-litre
BMC C-Series engine to replace the smaller 2.6-litre engine of the
100-6 and disc brakes at the front wheels. The manufacturers claimed it would reach 60 mph in 11 seconds and 100 mph in 31 seconds. Other changes were minor compared to those between the original
100 and the 100–6. The wheelbase and body were unchanged, as were the body styles, a 2+2 or BT7 and a two-seater BN7. Weather protection remained minimal, a folding plastic roof on a light demountable frame, and above the doors, detachable side screens holding sliding perspex panels. Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, laminated windscreen, heater, adjustable steering column, detachable hard top for the 2+2, and two-tone paint were available as options. 13,650 Mark Is were built: 2,825 BN7 open two-seaters, and 10,825 BT7 2+2s ;Road test A BT7 3000 with hardtop and overdrive tested by
The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of and could accelerate from 0– in 11.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of was recorded. The test car cost £1326 including taxes. File:Austin Healey 3000 VVJ 230.jpg|1959 Mark I BN7 open two-seater File:1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mark I BT-7 (4586385575) (cropped).jpg|1960 Mark I BT7 open 2+2 File:Austin Healey 3000 Cockpit.jpg|Mk I (or Mk 2) open car showing sidescreen
Mark II BN7, BT7 roadsters Engines fitted with three SU HS4 carburettors (total area 5.3 sq. inches) and an improved camshaft were announced at the end of May 1961. Other changes included a vertical barred front grille. Optional extras were similar to the Mark I. From August 1961, a brake servo was also available as an optional extra, which greatly improved braking performance. These were the last true Big Healey roadsters; the BN7 Mark II was discontinued in March 1962, and the BT7 Mark II in June 1962 ;Road test A 3000 Mark II BT7 (699DON) with hardtop and overdrive tested by the British magazine
The Motor in 1961 had a top speed of and could accelerate from 0– in 10.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of was recorded. The test car cost £1362 including taxes.
BJ7 sports convertible The 3000 sports convertible Mark II was launched at the end of August 1962. It was a true convertible with almost saloon car comfort, a new wrap-around windscreen, wind-up side windows, swiveling quarter lights and a quick-action folding roof. Twin SU HS6 carburettors replaced the triple SUs (total area 5.3 sq. inches, a 9.25% reduction). Austin-Healey claimed it could exceed 115 mph. 91.5 per cent of all 1963 Austin Healey 3000 cars were exported, with the majority going to North America. 11,564 Mark IIs were made: 355 BN7 open two-seaters, 5,096 BT7 2+2s, and 6,113 BJ7 2+2 sports convertibles Two were automatics and one was fitted with the four-speed manual transmission from the
Jaguar E-type. The bodywork was wider, the interior altered and made more spacious due to the extra width, but the main change was the aluminium 3.9-litre
Rolls-Royce engine – the same unit which was fitted to the
Vanden Plas 4-litre R.
In racing Austin Healey 3000s have a long competition history, and raced at most major racing circuits around the world, including
Sebring (
USA),
Le Mans (France), and
Mount Panorama Circuit,
Bathurst (Australia). The BMC competitions department rallied the 3000 from its introduction, but the development of the works cars effectively ended in 1965, mainly because of the success of the Mini Cooper 'S'. The most successful Austin-Healey 3000s include 54 FAC and 56 FAC (which finished 12th and 25th at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1963), DD300 (which competed in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans), and 727 URX (which finished 1st in the Liège–Rome–Liège Rally). ==References==