Lot Ended
Description
One of only six made by Healey guru John Chatham; lots of upgrades;
aluminium body; only 750 miles from build; hard top and soft top; superb
condition throughout
This fabulous
Big Healey is one of six cars specially made in 2020 by Healey specialist John
Chatham of Hallen, South Gloucestershire. The car was inspired by the works
Healey, DD 300, which John owned and raced for over 40 years, his aim being to
create the perfect fast road spec Healey 3000 with modern upgrades in the spirit
of the works Sebring cars.
As the Heritage
Certificate confirms, the donor vehicle was a RHD UK-market 1960 Austin-Healey
3000 Mk1 BT7. This car was completely dismantled and rebuilt into the wonderful
specimen you see today. The exact spec is too detailed to list in full here, but
is amply covered in John Chatham build sheets on file.
The chassis was fully restored and upgraded with strengthened
chassis rails, suspension mounts and engine mounts. Heavy duty floor panels and
inner sill sections were incorporated, along with additional strengthening
around the lower front shroud. The outriggers were modified to fit a tailored
exhaust system with bespoke mounting points to keep it securely in
place.
The wings are bespoke items made from
aluminium with distinctive triangular vents in the front wings and all four
wheel arches mildly flared to incorporate larger wheels and tyres. The front
grille is also a bespoke item with 3000 S badging and additional radiator
ducting. The bonnet has external safety catches in the style of the 100 S.
Special attention was paid to door gaps and panel alignments, the whole car
being protected with waxoil treatment internally and externally during the build
process. The car is finished in ICI two-pack British Racing Green with a
fibreglass hard top finished in Old English White.
The 3-litre engine has been fully rebuilt to fast road spec
(c.230bhp) with uprated camshaft; higher compression; balanced crank
assembly/con rods/pistons; lightened flywheel with diaphragm clutch; aluminium
cylinder head and rocker box; triple 1.75” SU carbs; six-branch tubular exhaust
manifold; bespoke stainless steel exhaust; 123 electronic distributor;
alternator conversion; high torque starter motor; oil cooler and remote oil
filter; five-blade cooling fan; high efficiency radiator; electronic fuel pump;
aluminium bulkhead etc.
The gearbox is a
centre-change four-speed Healey unit with uprated overdrive and works-style
overdrive switch on the alloy gearknob. It has a lightweight fibreglass
transmission tunnel to assist heat dissipation with extra heat shields for
protection.
Axle and brake features include:
torque bias limited slip differential; 3.9:1 final drive ratio; servo assisted
front disc brakes with Type 16 Healey brake calipers and EBC Green Stuff pads;
rear drum brakes; Goodrich aeroquip hoses; internal ducting for vulnerable
pipework etc.
Suspension includes uprated
anti-roll bar; 650lb front springs; 30% uprated shock absorbers, Spax adjustable
at the rear. Steering is the standard Healey 3000 box/set-up. It rides on
72-spoke 15” Cobra wire wheels shod with Avon tyres and a narrower ‘space saver’
spare wheel in the boot.
Other features
include: heated front windscreen; bespoke competition wiring harness with all
wiring protected by bespoke internal ducting as required; battery kill switch;
column-mounted indicator switch with main beam flash and horn push; electric
screen wash pump; aluminium sill coverings to protect cables and pipework; front
spot lamps mounted on bespoke aluminium brackets with built-in tow eyes;
works-style rear bumpers; 18-gallon long-range aluminium fuel tank; Monza-style
alloy fuel filler cap.
The interior features
100 S-style seats finished in quilted red leather with enhanced lateral support;
quilted Hydura trim coverings; leather/Hydura door cards; woodrim steering wheel
with bespoke 3000 S centre; bespoke dash switches; standard modern safety belts;
chrome door mirrors and dash-mounted rear-view mirror. A tonneau cover and an
indoor car cover are also included, along with a wheel-changing kit and a
factory workshop manual.
Our vendor acquired
the car from John Chatham in 2021 (for considerably more than the guide price
suggested here). It has only covered 750 miles from build and, as you can see in
the photos, it is still in excellent condition throughout and has been starting
promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good
60psi oil pressure. Classed as a Historic Vehicle, it is free to tax and
MOT-exempt but has a current MOT valid until March 2024 with no advisories
recorded.
A really gorgeous car all round, it
is exactly the sort of thing that any true petrolhead would love to have in
their garage.
For more information contact
James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com