Back in the 1980s my wife and I were keen MG Owners Club members, and founding members of the Ipswich Branch MGOC. My introduction to the Big Healeys was when we had joint meetings with the local Austin Healey Owners Club. The AHOC members always seemed a little posher than us common MGOC types probably because, as now, you have to have a bit more disposable income to run a Big Healey than an MG - the MGs we drove were still in production at the time. These events were always very convivial affairs made popular as one of the AH members was a butcher so the BBQs were not to be missed. From the outset I was hooked on the look and sound of the Big Healey and that still runs true today - if not more so now.
My love of cars and restoration has continued into retirement and I am currently restoring a 1957 MGA. This project is coming to an end (or, at least, it's in sight) and a young man's thoughts start to wander. I'd put in a lot of work on the MGA and learnt a lot along the way - why not put that knowledge into practice and do another project. Thoughts returned to Big Healeys - not too far away from the MGs as they were built alongside the MGs at Abingdon and the AH3000 MkIII was superceded by the MGC - in essence a Big Healey with an MGB body. A search of eBay came up with a 1960 MkI requiring full restoration and, although was a runner, had several parts missing (probably used on the owner's other AH3000 project) and did not meet his reserve price - my last minute bid above reserve price returned a #2000 error so was not registered - was this a computer error or fate giving me a helping hand? It was re-listed and I was about to see if a deal could be made when up popped a 1963 MkII BJ7 in the USA. It was more money and would incur shipping/VAT costs but is complete and not been messed about.
It was described as:
"1963 Austin Healey 3000 MKII convertible to restore. The car was recently discovered sitting in storage where it has been since the mid 1970's and was under the same ownership since 1968 until present. This is the desirable BJ7 model with 3 litre twin carbureted engine, folding convertible top, heater, roll up windows, wire wheels and 4 speed manual gearbox with Laycock overdrive. It is offered as found, not running but complete and intact just the way it was unearthed. The car was originally delivered new in the rare color of Florida Green with grey leather interior and still retains it original matching number engine as verified by a British Motor Heritage certificate which will be included. All paper work is in hand to export. A great find if you are looking for a Big Healey to restore. "
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As with the MGA, my intention is to do a full ground-up bare metal restoration, keeping the vehicle as original as possible, but converting it to RHD for the UK roads and market. That said, I shall also give a nod to the 21st Century (technology has moved on in 60 years) by making a few subtle upgrades. Although resprayed white, the original colour is Florida Green (see home page) that can be seen in the engine bay and peeking through the damaged paintwork. At first sight, it's not a colour I would have chosen but, on reflection, it is a colour very much of the 1960s, not a very common colour, so current intention is to return it to her former glory.