1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk1 'Liege-Rome 1960 Tribute' Roadster (LHD)

Description

The first of the Big Healeys, badged the 100, debuted at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show and soon developed a reputation for mechanical ruggedness, helped by a competition career spanning two decades. The Big Healey evolved into the torquier 100/6 in 1956 but critics felt it lacked power and so, in 1959, a major revision saw the introduction of the more powerful 3000. The six-cylinder engine had greater displacement, up from 2.6-litres to 2912cc, and this, combined with a raised compression ratio of 9:1 and twin SU HD6 carburettors, saw horsepower lifted to 124 at 4600 rpm. The 3000 had greater stopping power as well, thanks to new Girling front disc brakes. The new 3000 was sold in either two-seater (BJ7) or 2+2 (BT7) configuration, the latter aimed squarely at the lucrative American market, where the vast majority of Austin-Healeys were sold. The 3000 became BMC's front line rally weapon beginning from 1959, scoring its first class win in the gruelling Liege-Rome-Liege Rally thanks to Peter Riley and Rupert Jones. One of the most famous competition successes came in 1960, when Pat Moss drove the Works Car registered 'URX 727' to victory in the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally, with co-driver Ann Wisdom making it an all-female team. Run over a 96 hour period and covering 3,300 miles across some of Europe's toughest roads, the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally was a real test of stamina, driving skill and mechanical ruggedness. The Healey underwent several important modifications in preparation for the event, including beefing up the suspension and installing the lowest back axle ratio possible. One of the most famous of all Big Healey Works Cars, 'URX 727' featured on the cover of Peter Browning's book ?The Works Big Healeys?. Healeys continued performing at the top level of motorsport into the mid-1960s, the last major success coming at the 1965 RAC Rally. Demand for the Big Healeys has always remained strong and values remarkably buoyant, but the real pleasure is to be had behind the wheel of these classic British sports cars.