Description:

Works prepared by the BMC Motorsports Department.

This Healey was born to compete, and it’s ready to do so. With its period works conversion, fascinating history and great provenance, ownership of this special 3000 may provide access to some of the world’s most prestigious motoring events.

Renowned for their great durability and the ability to deliver a rewarding driving experience, the ‘Big Healeys’ are much loved amongst classic car enthusiasts and competitors.

Originally manufactured in 1962, this Austin Healey 3000 Mk II convertible has the car number (VIN) HBJ7/ 21662, body number 57423 (from batch 3128 BJ7), and engine number 29F-RU-H/ 2513, all confirmed by certification from The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

Registered in October 1962 with the mark ‘744 GON’ (which it retains to this day), with the BMC Competition Department listed as the first keepers on the logbook. Correspondence from a past BMC employee, plus research carried out by previous owners and Healey specialists, BK Engineering, suggests the car was immediately converted in-house, at some considerable expense, to ‘Liege-Sofia-Liege’ rally specification, before being commandeered by Innocenti General Manager, Umberto Pizzagali.

Innocenti had a contract with BMC, allowing for the assembly and partial manufacture of BMC cars for the Italian market, and Pizzagali had offices at both the Longbridge and Cowley sites. The Healey joined a stable of interesting cars at his disposal for his daily commute, which included an E Type Jaguar and a Maserati Bora.

Information from The BMC Competitions Department book contains a sample list of the range of modifications available for the rally specification. These included a polished cylinder head, balanced crankshaft, competition camshaft, 3 x HD8 carburettors with special works inlet manifold, and a competition exhaust system. Strengthened chassis and body modifications, 14-leaf rear springs. A 4-speed straight cut performance gearbox with a 4:3:1 final drive, plus competition overdrive. A hardtop, rally seats and Minilite wheels were also offered.

In 2002, the Healey was discovered in storage and taken to Australia. It spent a number of years there, again, in storage, before returning to the UK, where it was sold at the Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction in 2013.

Renovations then began to revitalise the car as a historic racing competitor, with details of the work carried out by the owner, with many parts sourced from AH Spares Ltd, plus extensive preparations by Classic Performance Engineering in Oxfordshire.

More recently, Healey specialists John Chatham Cars of Bristol, have developed the car to FIA Appendix K regulations; it has a plumbed in fire safety system, collapsible steering column, full roll cage with rain light, power cut off switch and single Recaro Pole Position seat with Securon 6 point harness and fire safety system. Wire wheels with centre knock-offs are shod with Dunlop historic racing tyres. (The original Minilite wheels, grille and rally seats are included with the car).

‘744 GON’ was reunited with previous owner Bob Neville, of RJN Motorsport fame, at the BMC & Leyland Show, held at the British Motor Museum in 2022, sharing the limelight with other famous works Healeys; ‘XJB 871’, ‘BMO 93B’ and ‘EJB 806C’. Le Mans racer, Roger Enever, who shared a flat with Umberto Pizzagali back in the day, was also present, remembering the car with great fondness.

There is an extensive history file accompanying this Healey, which includes an old inspection report and photographs of the car throughout its lifetime. Previous MOT certificates and UK registration documents, invoices and receipts for historical maintenance and conservation, plus press and media items.

With just a handful of recognised works cars still in existence, all commanding eye-watering price tags; this period-built classic, with its captivating and intriguing story, is a brilliant addition to the legendary history of the competition Healeys.

Selling via the Williams Crawford Brokerage service.

Nationwide delivery available.

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Keyword Search Terms:

healey, big healey, liege-sofia-liege, rally, works, competition, bmc, RJN Motorsport