A 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 always manages to convey an image of flying jackets and flat hats, with owners boasting in the saloon bar of achieving zero to ‘the ton’ in just 31 seconds on the Preston bypass. Steve Everest, the owner of our feature car, once heard a member of the public describe his car as ‘looking as though it was capable of 70mph even when standing still,’ which encapsulates the appeal.
The 3000 story commenced in 1952 when the Donald Healey Motor Company displayed their new 100 at the London Motor Show. It so impressed Leonard Lord of the recently formed British Motor Corporation that he met with Donald Healey. By the end of the Earls Court show, the 100 bore the new marque name of Austin-Healey. Power was originally from the four-cylinder 2660cc unit from the Austin A90 Atlantic, but in 1956 the 100/6 used the BMC C-series six-cylinder plant from the A95/A105 Westminster.
However, as Steve says: ‘Although the 100/6 was selling quite well, the MGA and the Triumph TR3A were snapping at its heels, so Healey decided an improved model would be essential for the US export market.’ The 3000 made its
