Austin Healey 3000 MK I BT7 – A restoration in classic Florida Green
Austin Healey 3000 MK I BT7 coming to the final stages of restoration
The Austin Healey 3000 was the third model that makes up the group classified as the big Healeys (100, 100-6 and 3000). The Austin Healey 3000 MK I was introduced to the public in March 1959 and continued production until March 1961. Despite the name change from Austin Healey 100-6 to Austin Healey 3000 (models only got named as Mark I, II or III as production and time progressed) the differences were quite minor compared to the significant changes from the 100 to the 100-6. The wheelbase and the body remained unchanged; it boasted a new increased engine size of 2.9 litres and front wheel disc brakes as a standard feature. The customer also had a choice of the two passenger (BN7) or the 2 + 2 seating variation (BT7). In total there was 13,650 Austin Healey 3000 MK I models produced of which 2,825 were MK I BN7 and 10,825 were MK I BT7.
Bill Rawles Classic Cars has been working on the restoration of this Austin Healey 3000 MK I
February 2014 has seen the engine built, running and a completed test drive on the road
BT7 for a number of years. The project has been customer led and has taken a stop start approach as and when the funding to proceed has been available. At Bill Rawles Classic Cars we know that committing to a restoration project is an enormous decision and a very costly one and we tailor the work to meet your requirements. The attention to detail, precision and the creation of high quality work is what the company is based on, there is no cutting corners to save costs as this is not the reflection of work that we are well known for. For this reason we can have a restoration under our roof for a number of years and the speed of progress can be dependent on customer budget. This original UK 3000 MK I BT7 has been painted in Florida Green over white and has Rudd speed manifolds. This month, February 14, has seen the engine built, back in the engine bay, running and has even been out on our local roads for a test drive.
Please take a look at our Facebook album – Austin Healey 3000 MK I BT7 Restoration photos