1960 Austin Healey

2+2 BT7 Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

HBT7L10666

Gasoline

FOR SALE 1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mark 1 [2 plus 2] BT7, left hand drive with overdrive, wire wheels, and tonneau cover. Current mileage, as shown on the odometer, is 49277 miles. However old service records show that in the late 1970s the speedometer head was changed, so about 10,000 miles must be added. I bought the car in November of 1989 when the odometer showed 47932. I bought it as a restoration project, but never got to start the restoration as I had too many other projects on the go. It was last driven in 1990, and, since June 1991 it has been in inside storage near Picton, Ontario, Canada [for 20 years]. Dry inside storage has no doubt helped to preserve it from rust deterioration. When I purchased the car I was provided all invoices for work on the car since it was purchased by a previous owner in March 1976, with its then current odometer reading 53000 miles. There was speedometer work done in May 1977 at 53680 miles, and thereafter mileage on all subsequent invoices drops about 10,000 miles For example the invoice of May 10, 1979 shows 43345 miles, at which time the engine was totally rebuilt. This was a major engine rebuild including re-bore, new pistons, new valves, bearings, cam followers, clutch and timing chain. All these invoices as well as many others since March 1976 will be provided with the purchase of the car. Great care will be required to free up engine, brakes, and other mechanical components after such lengthy storage. Driving the car should not be attempted until this is accomplished. Prior to the car being placed in storage in 1991 I got to use it for a few months and put on about 1300 miles. I found that everything on the car worked well and that it was a pleasure to drive. The overdrive meant that it cruised at expressway speed limits at quite low engine RPM. The tonneau cover and side curtains are in good shape. The convertible top looks good and works fine, but has two small repair patches about the size of a quarter. I had started to correct a gas tank issue by purchasing a used but correct Austin Healey gas tank to replace the MG gas tank currently installed. This correct Austin Healey gas tank is included with the sale of the car, as is a second steering wheel and side curtain fastening hardware which I purchased new. The car was last painted in April 1976, two tone red and black. (again I have the invoice). Unfortunately there were serious shortcomings in the paint work that was done. The most glaring issue concerns the removal of the piping which normally separates the fenders from the body of the car. Instead, the cracks between the fenders and body were filled with bondo and painted over. The bondo has not stood up well to the passing of time and shows noticeable bubbling. In any event, for a proper restoration, this bondo should all be removed and the correct piping re-installed between the fenders and the body. There are other places where bondo has not stood up well, such as under the headlight on the passenger side of the car. This is all work that I had intended to do to make a concours quality restoration. A complete repainting of the car will obviously therefore be required, as had been my intention when I purchased the car. An Austin Healey Parts Catalogue and Owners Workshop Manual are included in the sale. The car is offered "as is" without warranty. However I believe that my description accurately reflects the car's condition. Transportation will be the responsibility of the buyer.