Austin Healey is The British Sportscar for many enthusiasts. Now two of these are for sale at Bilweb Auctions: a powerful ”Big” Healey 3000 with one owner for 57 years and a Swedish Hult Healey, a replica built upon rugged Volvo technology.
When mr Biggs moved to Sweden in 2013 he brought his beloved Austin Healey 3000 from 1960 with him. He had bought it from the first owner already back in 1964. It was a two-seater roadster, significantly more unusual than the 2+2 version that counted for around 80 percent of the production. Furthermore it was equipped with the sought after hardtop, making driving in cold and wet conditions a bit more agreeable.
Between 2005 and 2007, during its time in England, the car was subject to a body restoration and a thorough overhaul of the engine and the gearbox by Healey specialists. Mr Biggs was very keen about keeping his Healey in top mechanical condition, but cared less about cosmetics meaning that the paint can’t be considered to be in show condition. For 57 years he drove his Big Healey and when he recently passed away another enthusiast took over, now selling the car on Bilweb Auctions.
Austin Healey 3000 was introduced in 1959, but the design dates from 1952 and the 4-cylinder Austin-Healey 100. The straight six in the 3000 had a volume of 2.9 litres and produced 132 horse powers.During its final years - production ceased in 1967 - the Austin Healey 3000 was very successful in racing and rally. This heritage lives on and today a Big Healey is a dream car for historic motor sports enthusiasts.
Bilweb Auctions has estimated the value of this Austin-Healey 3000 to between 370 000 and 400 000 SEK. The auction closes on 11 May.
To the auction
The fascination for Austin-Healey went all the way to the Swedish province of Småland. In the early 1980s the Hult-Healey was created, named after the village of Hult where a professional replica of the English icon was designed.
The Hult-Healey was mainly a kit-car and based upon Volvo technology: engine, gearbox and suspension came from the Swedish manufacturer. 35 kits and 4 complete Hult Healeys were sold up until 1990.
The car presently for sale at Bilweb Auctions was built with very high quality by a person with experience from AC Cobra projects. It is equipped with a Volvo B20 engine, enlarged to a B21, restored and tuned to approximately 130 horse power. The Volvo heritage is also visible in the GT instruments.
Bilweb Auctions has estimated the value of the Hult-healey to between 200 000 and 230 000 SEK
