It was born from a very simple recipe but the Big Healey is up there with the best British sports cars.

Words: John-Joe Vollans
Pics: Martyn Barnwell

There’s no denying that as far as classic cars go, there are very few more desirable than the ‘Big Healey’. Developed from the 100 and 100-6, the 3000 gained more power, refinement and, from 1964, better suspension. This all adds up to a car that can provide an amazing amount of enjoyment and surprising performance, especially when you consider the car went off sale 44 years ago.

For this road test we got in contact with Sherwood Restorations who often buy and sell Healeys. When we arrived, Sherwood’s Alex Halfpenny showed us around the car and it was clear that it had wanted for nothing   
all its life.

Amazingly, considering its condition, this car has not seen a full restoration, it has simply had things attended to as and when they were needed, including a full respray. With a genuine 55,000 miles on the clock and an extensive history file, it was clear that this example was a bit special.

Picking up the keys and clambering aboard – it was a bit of a squeeze – the first thing you notice about this car is its sumptuous quality. A thin wood rim Moto-Lita steering wheel protrudes towards the driver, but with an adjustable column, a comfy setting was soon found. Dials and switchgear are a lovely mix of chrome surrounded by a lustrous wood dash. The pews have been retrimmed in red leather to complement the red lower two-tone paintwork and the effect is very impressive.

Not as impressive as the soundtrack however, as we pull out on to the main road and build some revs. With the two pipes exiting just below the rear of the passenger door, you are gifted with the full bellow from that C-Series six-cylinder engine, and boy does it make a nice noise.

This is my first experience of a ‘Big Healey’ and I’m loving every minute of it. The A-roads surrounding Sherwood’s premises near Newark soon give way to some twisty sections of B-road, perfect for putting the Healey through its paces, as both the oil and the driver have warmed up nicely.

Factfile

1965 Austin-Healey 3000
Engine:     2192cc straight six
Gearbox:     four-speed manual
Power:     148 bhp at 5250 rpm
Torque:     165 lbf.ft at 3500 rpm
0-60 mph:     9.8 secs
Top speed:    122 mph
Consumption:    20 mpg
Length:    4.0 m
Width:    1.5 m
Weight:    1156 kg

VALUES
Big Healeys aren’t exactly cheap: you’re looking at £10,000 even for a restoration project, with nice ones starting at just shy of £30,000. The value of the cars means that most of the examples which are currently in use will be in nice condition: you just don’t see tatty ones around. From this entry point, prices rise all the way to around £60,000 with most cars falling into the £35,000-£45,000 bracket.

CLUBS
Austin Healey Club (UK)
www.austinhealeyclub.com

To read the complete test see the March 2012 issue of Classic Car Mart - available here