Austin-Healey 3000: Models, Variants and Year-by-Year Changes
Produced from 1959 through 1967, the Austin-Healey 3000 was the final and most developed version of the “Big Healey.” It evolved from a relatively elemental British roadster with removable side curtains into a considerably more civilized sports convertible with roll-up windows, a proper folding top and a wood-trimmed dashboard. Throughout its life, however, the basic formula remained unchanged: a large six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive and muscular styling wrapped around a compact sports-car chassis.
The 3000 was built in three principal generations — Mk I, Mk II and Mk III — but the factory chassis codes BN7, BT7, BJ7 and BJ8 provide a more precise way to distinguish the variants.
1959: Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I — BN7 and BT7
The Austin-Healey 3000 replaced the 100-Six during 1959. Its name referred to its enlarged 2,912-cc BMC C-Series inline six, up from the 100-Six’s 2,639 cc. With a 9:1 compression ratio and twin 1.75-inch SU HD6 carburetors, the new engine produced approximately 124 horsepower, along with substantially more torque than the 100-Six.
Another important improvement was braking. The 100-Six’s front drum brakes gave way to Girling front discs, while drums remained at the rear. A four-speed manual transmission was standard, with electrically operated Laycock de Normanville overdrive optional.
There were two body configurations:
BN7 — two-seat roadster: The BN7 had only two seats and is generally considered the purest and sportiest version of the early 3000.
BT7 — 2+2 roadster: The BT7 provided two small occasional rear seats. Both versions shared the same 92-inch wheelbase, so the additional seating did not require a longer car.
Both were traditional roadsters rather than true convertibles. They used removable side curtains instead of roll-up windows, and their soft tops had separate frames that had to be erected rather than simply raised from behind the seats.
1960: Refinement of the Mk I
The 1960 3000 remained fundamentally the same as the 1959 model. Buyers could still choose between the two-seat BN7 and 2+2 BT7, with the 2,912-cc six, twin SU carburetors and front disc brakes.
These early Mk I cars can be recognized by their distinctive grille with wavy horizontal bars, as opposed to the vertical-bar grille that appeared with the Mk II.
Rather than introducing dramatic annual redesigns, Austin-Healey tended to make running production changes, so build date and chassis number are often more useful than nominal model year when identifying exactly which equipment an individual car should have.
1961: Introduction of the 3000 Mk II
The major event for 1961 was the arrival of the 3000 Mk II. The BN7 two-seater and BT7 2+2 initially continued, but several important mechanical and cosmetic changes distinguished them from the Mk I.
Most obvious was a new fine vertical-bar grille, accompanied by changes to the hood air intake. More significantly, the familiar pair of SU carburetors was replaced by three 1.5-inch SU HS4 carburetors. The triple-carburetor arrangement was influenced heavily by Austin-Healey’s competition program and helped increase advertised output to approximately 132 horsepower.
Late in 1961 another useful improvement appeared. In March 1961, right at the launch/early production of the Mk II, the old side-mounted gear lever arrangement was replaced by a central, remote-control gearshift, making the transmission more conventional to operate.
1962: Mk II BN7 and BT7 Give Way to the BJ7
The 1962 model period contains some of the most important changes in the entire 3000 series.
Early Mk II cars retained the BN7 and BT7 roadster bodies and triple carburetors. The Mk II BN7 is particularly scarce, with only about 355 produced, making it one of the rarest regular-production 3000 variants.
The triple-carburetor system proved comparatively difficult to keep properly synchronized and was more useful for competition homologation than everyday driving. During 1962 Austin-Healey therefore returned to two carburetors, now a pair of larger SU HS6s. Output declined only fractionally, to about 131 horsepower.
More important was the introduction of the BJ7, officially a Mk II but often called the Mk IIA by enthusiasts.
The BJ7 transformed the 3000 from a traditional British roadster into a genuine Sports Convertible. It received:
- Roll-up glass windows
- Front vent or quarter windows
- A curved windshield
- A permanently attached folding convertible top
- Revised doors and exterior trim
- 2+2 seating
The BN7 two-seater disappeared, and from this point forward all production Austin-Healey 3000s were 2+2s. Stronger 60-spoke wire wheels also replaced the earlier optional 48-spoke type.
The BJ7 represents an important dividing line in Big Healey history. Earlier cars provide the more elemental side-curtain roadster experience; the BJ7 and later BJ8 are significantly easier to live with.
1963: Final Mk II BJ7
The BJ7 continued through 1963 without fundamental redesign. It retained the twin SU HS6 carburetors, roll-up windows, curved windshield and improved folding top introduced in 1962.
The result was arguably the transitional Austin-Healey 3000: mechanically and visually still closely related to the earlier Mk II, but with most of the weather protection and convenience associated with the later Mk III.
Late in 1963 production began transitioning toward the final and most powerful version of the Big Healey, the BJ8 Mk III.
1964: Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8
The 3000 Mk III, chassis code BJ8, represented the most luxurious and powerful development of the Austin-Healey 3000.
The engine remained 2,912 cc, but a revised camshaft and a pair of large 2-inch SU HD8 carburetors increased output to roughly 148–150 horsepower, depending upon the rating source. A brake servo became standard, reducing the pedal effort required from the four-wheel braking system, the front-disc / rear-drum setup introduced on the Mk I.
Inside, the transformation was even more obvious. The earlier painted or vinyl-covered metal dashboard was replaced by a handsome wood-veneer fascia, accompanied by a center console and more sophisticated instrumentation. The rear seatback could fold forward to create additional luggage space.
Standard seat upholstery changed from leather to Ambla vinyl, although leather remained available. North American cars generally received wire wheels as standard equipment.
BJ8 Phase I
The first approximately Mk III cars are now known as Phase I BJ8s. They combined the Mk III’s more powerful engine and upscale interior with essentially the earlier rear chassis and suspension arrangement. Official factory records place the Phase I cut-off at chassis number HBJ8/26704 (amounting to 1,358 Phase I cars built before the chassis and suspension redesign in May 1964).
BJ8 Phase II
Only a few months into 1964 production, Austin-Healey introduced what collectors call the BJ8 Phase II.
Ground clearance had long been a weakness of Big Healeys, particularly around the exhaust system. The Phase II incorporated revised frame rails that provided more clearance around the rear axle and allowed changes to the rear suspension. The main frame rails were re-profiled directly under the rear axle casing to allow more axle travel and prevent bottoming out, while the radius arms replaced the Panhard rod for better axle control.
The previous seven-leaf rear springs were replaced by softer six-leaf springs, while the Panhard rod used for lateral axle location was eliminated in favor of radius arms, also described as anti-tramp arms. The changes slightly raised the rear of the car and made the later BJ8 noticeably different underneath.
1965: Mature Mk III
By 1965 the Phase II BJ8 had become the definitive Austin-Healey 3000. Mechanically it retained the 150-hp-class engine, twin HD8 carburetors, servo-assisted brakes and revised rear suspension.
Detail changes continued, including revisions to the front and rear lighting, but the basic specification was now settled.
Compared with a 1959 BN7, the 1965 BJ8 illustrates just how far the 3000 had evolved. The early car was a simple two-seat roadster with side curtains and a removable top; the BJ8 offered roll-up windows, better weather protection, a wood dashboard, folding rear seat, more power and significantly greater touring comfort.
1966: Continued BJ8 Phase II Production
The 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 remained a Mk III BJ8 Phase II with few substantial changes. By now the model was remarkably mature, and Austin-Healey concentrated on incremental production improvements rather than another major redesign.
The combination of roughly 150 horsepower, abundant low-speed torque and optional overdrive made the later BJ8 an effective long-distance grand tourer as well as a traditional British sports car.
It was also the most successful individual 3000 variant. Total BJ8 production eventually reached approximately 17,700 cars, substantially more than any other single 3000 chassis type.
1967: The Final Austin-Healey 3000
The 1967 cars represented the final development of the BJ8 Phase II and therefore the end of the Big Healey lineage that had begun with the Austin-Healey 100 in 1952.
There was no dramatically redesigned 1967 model. Instead, production continued with the established Mk III specification until December 1967. Increasing U.S. safety and emissions requirements made continued production of the aging design increasingly difficult, and no direct production successor to the 3000 appeared.
The final cars consequently represent the opposite end of the spectrum from the original BN7. They are the most powerful, comfortable and refined production Big Healeys.
Understanding the Major 3000 Variants
The Austin-Healey 3000’s evolution is easiest to understand through its chassis codes:
BN7 Mk I, 1959–61: Two-seat roadster, twin HD6 carburetors, side curtains.
BT7 Mk I, 1959–61: Essentially the same car with 2+2 seating.
BN7 Mk II, 1961–62: Rare two-seat Mk II with vertical grille and triple HS4 carburetors.
BT7 Mk II, 1961–62: 2+2 version of the early Mk II, also initially using triple carburetors.
BJ7 Mk II, 1962–63: Sometimes called the Mk IIA; 2+2 Sports Convertible with roll-up windows, improved folding top and twin HS6 carburetors.
BJ8 Mk III Phase I, 1963/64: More powerful and luxurious Mk III with twin HD8 carburetors, wood dashboard and approximately 150 horsepower, but retaining the earlier-style rear chassis and suspension.
BJ8 Mk III Phase II, 1964–67: Final version, incorporating revised frame rails, greater ground clearance and redesigned rear suspension.
Over less than a decade, then, the Austin-Healey 3000 evolved considerably without losing its fundamental character. The BN7 and BT7 offer the rawest traditional roadster experience; the rare triple-carburetor Mk II BN7 and BT7 add competition-derived mechanical interest; the BJ7 combines much of the early car’s appearance with considerably better weather protection; and the BJ8 Mk III, particularly the Phase II, provides the greatest power, refinement and usability. Those differences explain why “Austin-Healey 3000” encompasses several distinctly different collector cars rather than one model that remained unchanged from 1959 to 1967.
Important Sales Reviewed by SCM Experts
Each month for the past 38 years, SCM’s analysts have reviewed 5 to 7 significant cars sold at auction, and discuss what options, history, or details made that particular more or less valuable. They give their expert opinion on the market for these cars, and whether this car was well bought or well sold. If you’re thinking of purchasing a Austin-Healey 3000, you’ll likely find these profiles critical in helping you make the right decision.
1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark IIIThe 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III, commonly known as the BJ8 roadster, was the last iteration of the popular Austin-Healey 3000 Series. Produced from 1959 to 1967, the 3000 Series was a collaboration between the British Motor Corporation and the Donald Healey Motor Company. The BJ8 was the culmination of the series, representing the most […]Read more
1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark I JamaicanThe rare car we offer was exported new to the U.S. in 1960 as an Ivory White Austin-Healey 3000 BT7 4-seater. As with many old sports cars, it fell into disrepair and was turned into a Fiberfab Jamaican in the late 1960s. These stylish sports coupe bodies, designed by Chris Beebe, were available for installation […]Read more- 1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BN7Following the debut of the original 4-cylinder Austin-Healey 100 in 1952, and the subsequent change to the 6-cylinder 100-6 in 1956, the British Motor Corporation in 1959 launched the car that would become the defining model of the range: the 3000. As it had a 3-liter engine that could produce 124 horsepower, it was the […]Read more
1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II Rally CarThe last surviving 1962 team car has rally provenance in abundance, but it doesn’t have an original chassis The Big Healey’s first major success was in 1960, when Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom made history by winning the grueling Liège-Rome-Liège (Marathon de la Route) event outright. It was the first occasion that a woman had […]Read more
1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II Ex-Donald HealeyGraham Robson remembers the car in BMC’s U.K. press fleet, but there’s no mention of Donald Healey having a Mk II as “a personal car” Introduced in 1961, the Mk II version of Austin-Healey’s highly successful 3000 model was visually distinguished by its vertical radiator grille bars and revised front air intake. Sharing the same […]Read more
Cars For Sale
Quick links to listings for this make and model online:
Past Auction Sales – Austin-Healey 3000
Average Austin-Healey 3000 Sale Price by Year from SCM’s Platinum Auction Database:
Austin-Healey 3000 Sales from SCM’s Platinum Auction Database:
Bring a Trailer
Condition: 2-
Jun 8, 2026
$44,100
Hemmings
Condition: 3
Apr 10, 2026
$31,500
Sotheby's Motorsport
Condition: 2
Mar 17, 2026
$63,525
Iconic Auctioneers
Condition: 3+
Feb 20, 2026
$39,435
Bring a Trailer
Condition: 2-
Feb 10, 2026
$58,275
Bonhams Cars
Condition: 2-
Jan 29, 2026
$54,827
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 2
Jan 23, 2026
$67,200
McCormick's
Condition: 3+
Nov 21, 2025
$27,560
Owls Head Transportation Museum
Condition: 3+
Aug 22, 2025
$38,500
Hemmings
Condition: 2+
Aug 5, 2025
$54,600
Silver Auctions
Condition: 3-
Jun 14, 2025
$17,440
Bonhams Cars
Condition: 2-
Apr 13, 2025
$70,751
Hemmings
Condition: 3
Mar 24, 2025
$34,125
Bonhams Cars
Condition: 2
Jan 24, 2025
$39,200
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 2
Nov 6, 2024
$53,900
Hemmings
Condition: 1-
Oct 14, 2024
$50,400
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 2
Aug 29, 2024
$73,920
The Branson Auction
Condition: 3+
Apr 19, 2024
$30,800
The Branson Auction
Condition: 3+
Oct 20, 2023
$29,425
Owls Head Transportation Museum
Condition: 2-
Aug 25, 2023
$30,000
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 3+
Aug 17, 2023
$35,200
GAA Classic Cars
Condition: 2-
Jul 20, 2023
$30,240
Bonhams Cars
Condition: 2-
Jul 14, 2023
$117,597
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 4
May 12, 2023
$18,700
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 3+
May 12, 2023
$35,200
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2-
Apr 13, 2023
$31,900
Hemmings
Condition: 2+
Mar 11, 2023
$78,750
Bonhams
Condition: 2+
Jan 27, 2023
$84,000
Artcurial
Condition: 2-
Oct 16, 2022
$68,338
Bonhams
Condition: 3+
Sep 17, 2022
$47,151
Hemmings
Condition: 3
Sep 12, 2022
$58,275
Owls Head Transportation Museum
Condition: 3+
Aug 27, 2022
$42,900
Silver Auctions
Condition: 2
Jun 18, 2022
$64,800
Bonhams
Condition: 3
Apr 10, 2022
$49,448
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 1-
Apr 9, 2022
$104,500
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 3+
Jan 26, 2022
$44,800
Carlisle Auctions
Condition: 3
Sep 30, 2021
$44,940
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 3+
May 14, 2021
$55,000
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 3+
Mar 20, 2021
$63,800
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2
Mar 20, 2021
$99,000
GAA Classic Cars
Condition: 3+
Feb 25, 2021
$41,580
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 2+
Jan 22, 2021
$67,200
Bonhams
Condition: 3
Jan 21, 2021
$36,960
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 3+
Jan 7, 2021
$77,000
Bonhams
Condition: 2
Sep 6, 2020
$108,946
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 1-
May 21, 2020
$55,000
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 2
Mar 20, 2020
$66,000
Worldwide Auctioneers
Condition: 2-
Jan 15, 2020
$45,100
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 3
Jan 13, 2020
$33,000
Barrett-Jackson
Condition: 2+
Jan 13, 2020
$134,200
See all 115 sales of Austin-Healey 3000 cars from SCM’s Platinum auction database.