AN OLD GEM

OWNED BY A FILM STAR, ROYALTY … THIS IS ONE CHARISMATIC SPORTS CAR THAT IS BOTH HANDSOME AND FAST - A TOP SPEED OF 120 MPH. NOT BAD FOR A 43 YEAR OLD SPORTS CAR.

Story: Andy Martin Photography: Carlos Rojas L.

IT WAS A SUNNY DAY when I turned up at Dave Bodell’s 3,000 acre farm just out of Morrinsville. There on the back lawn, glistening under the afternoon sun, was his pride and joy - British motor racing green, a 1966 Austin Healey 3000 Mk 111.

Imported into New Zealand by a doctor for the purpose of racing, thankfully, unlike many Austin-Healeys, this one never sustained a crash. Dave said he found it in Auckland. The previous owner had started a full-on restoration and had taken the car back to bare metal. “We were pretty lucky”, he said “as it was 95 percent complete with only a very few parts missing here and there”.
Dave has owned the car for 12 years. His first introduction to Healeys was back when he was 19 years old and he had owned a lovely red 100-6 model. He wasn’t actually actively looking for another one, but it sort of found him.

He sent the car over to The Healey Shop car restoration firm in Mt Maunganui where it was brought back to life over just nine months. The restoration involved a complete rebuild including new leather seating and a really beautiful paint job. This car is immaculate in every sense and truly is a gem.

I jumped at the chance to go for a spin, delighted to discover that it felt like ‘real’ motoring. You can hear the carburettors sucking in air as the throttle is pressed - a lovely exhaust note, lovely old leather smells, and you can feel the bumps...

The 3000 is so named because it is powered by a 3,000cc six cylinder engine, and a four-speed gearbox with electric overdrive … flick a switch on the dash. It was surprisingly quick for a 43 years old car and very smooth. Dave said he and his family take her out for a spin whenever the weather’s fine. “My wife Mary enjoys going for a girls’ day out’ with our grand-daughters. They certainly get the looks!” And the number plate? He has 11 grandchildren and they got together and secured the number plate for him.

Dave handed me a ten year old edition of NZ Classic Car magazine to study up a bit on the Healey. The 3000 Mk 111 was actually the last model produced. The road going Austin Healey was manufactured for only 14 years yet in that time it came to represent the absolute peak of the traditional British roadster - a sports car that was handsome, fast, and affordable.

MOTOR SHOW STAR

The first Healey produced was the Healey 100 which was the star of the London Motor Show when it was released in 1952. Designed by Donald Healey, it was powered by an Austin A90 2.6 litre four cylinder motor. Due to its success at the Motor Show a manufacturing agreement was reached with Austin and it became the Austin-Healey. This initial model was followed by the six cylinder 100-6 version in 1956 which also had occasional rear seats added to make it a genuine 2+2 roadster.

The third model, and the car featured here, the 3000, hit the market in 1959. Over the next nine years the 3000 was further refined with the introduction of a wood-grained dashboard, front disc brakes, and wind-up windows! Healey production ceased in early 1968 when the car was losing ground to its rivals. An ill-fated attempt to upgrade the car to a Mk. IV version was shelved - and that was the end of an era.

Austin-Healeys in good condition can fetch in excess of $100,000 and really are an appreciating asset. Dave has had the odd tempting approach, but said that this one is destined to stay in the family for some time to come.
I had always admired Austin Healeys from afar, but this was the first time I had got up close. I think the design of the car would stack up even today with many new designs, and this impression admittedly was reinforced by the excellent condition of this particular example. It is one of those cars you could just stare at all day. I can see how owners get hooked.