Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII (1963–1967) Price Guide

The Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8 is likely the car that most people mean when they say Austin-Healey 3000. It is the most powerful, the most luxurious, the most refined, and the last. Production ended in 1967 when BMC could no longer make the car comply with American safety regulations, and with it ended the Big Healey lineage entirely. Road & Track called it “an enthusiast’s sports car that was fun to drive with lots of performance and good handling and braking characteristics.” That assessment has not aged badly.

The Car

Announced in February 1964, the BJ8 used a revised C-series producing 150bhp through twin SU HD8 2-inch carburettors and a high-lift camshaft; 18bhp more than the MkII BJ7. The exhaust was rerouted with twin silencers under the nearside sill, freeing up space and improving the exhaust note’s character. A stronger clutch was fitted. The brake servo became standard for the first time. Separate front and rear indicators replaced the combined units. The interior received a walnut veneer dashboard, replacing the earlier painted metal, and the hood and weather equipment were further improved over the BJ7. The BJ8 was the only body style; the two-seater option had been discontinued by this point.

Phase I and Phase II

The BJ8 ran in two phases. Phase I cars (1964–early 1965) can be identified by their lower suspension whereas the ride height was subsequently raised for Phase II. This addressed the 3000’s chronic susceptibility to sump damage on rough roads. Remanufactured rear springs on Phase I cars can cause the rear to sit unnaturally high; if a BJ8 looks jacked up at the back, the springs have likely been replaced and may not have settled yet.

What Goes Wrong

The BJ8’s greater complexity over earlier cars adds failure points. The servo is reliable but requires periodic attention. The HD8 carburettors need correct setup; a poorly balanced pair causes flat spots throughout the rev range. The walnut dashboard is expensive to restore if damaged. The chassis and bodywork concerns universal to all 3000s apply: check main rails for straightness, sills and floors for rust, and the battery area for corrosion. The folding hood mechanism on BJ8s should be operated several times during inspection; a stiff or misaligned mechanism is a sign of neglect.

Buying

The BJ8 is the most desirable and most valuable standard 3000. Late Phase II cars in original colours with documented history and matching numbers represent the pinnacle of the Big Healey range. American-specification cars, built with emissions modifications for that market, are less desirable to most European buyers. Competition or rally history multiplies values, and demands rigorous verification. The Austin-Healey Club register is essential; the Heritage Certificate from BMIHT confirms original specification. The BJ8 was the last Austin-Healey ever built in significant numbers, and its significance as the end of a lineage is reflected in consistently rising values.