1963 Austin Healey 3000 Sebring Replica
Registration No: PAG 738A
Chassis Number: HBJ7-L/24861
Engine Number: 29F-RU-H/5659
Body Number: 60714
The DHMC international competition debut of the Austin Healey 3000 was at Sebring on March 26th 1960 with their best result being 15th outright.
For 1961-62, The Donald Healey Motor Company concentrated on Sprite entries for Sebring.
In September 1962, Management of BMC, decided full support would be given to Donald Healey's racing activities at Sebring for March 1963. It was agreed that three Austin Healey 3000s (two to race, one as a spare) would be prepared for shipping to Sebring by the third week of February 1963. An order of three BJ7 variants, each stripped of engine and gearbox, instruments, wheels and tyres, shock absorbers, hood, seats, rear axles, brakes and the heater. The request required, black trim, wire wheel hubs and right-hand steering.
On 30th October 1962, three BJ7 3000 Mark IIA Austin Healeys were taken from the assembly line at Abingdon and delivered to the Competition Department of Donald Healey Motor Company in Warwick. These cars would form the 1963 Sebring 12-Hour Austin Healey works team. As the cars had not been homologated with Westlake cylinder heads, 4-speed transmissions, and dual-circuit disc brakes, they were entered as prototypes. Issued with Healey chassis numbers and fitted with experimental racing engines the cars were registered with Warwickshire numbers, 54 FAC, 56 FAC & 57 FAC.
The engines with a specially designed alloy Westlake cylinder head utilised a high lift camshaft, heavy duty valve train, high compression pistons, main bearing strengthening caps, large volume oil pump and three 45 DCOE Weber carburettors mounted on magnesium intake manifolds. The power units would develop 190 bhp using nitrided crankshafts and Y alloy pistons. Three SU carburettors were to be fitted initially but changed to Webers due to the SU setups lacked performance. A close ratio 4-speed transmission without overdrive was installed along with dual circuit single pot Girling disc brakes on all four wheels. Heavy duty, double acting dampers were fitted, with the rear being fully adjustable.
All steel body panels were replaced with aluminium, Perspex windows replaced glass and a lightweight fibreglass hardtop was fitted. Oil cooler vents were added beneath the mesh grille, bumpers were removed, racing seats were added and interior trim stripped to save weight. All cars were painted Ice blue with Old English white hardtop. Vents were fitted to the front wings to allow heat escape from the engine bay and an exhaust system exited on the car's left hand side.
Electrical modifications by Lucas saw dual circuit wiring added along with a higher output generator for distance racing which required left and right hand driving lights. Special lights were added to allow identification of racing numbers at night. Inside the front scuttle air vent, a unique coloured light allowed pit crews to identify which team car was about to pass or pit. Instruments were modified, with a large Smiths tachometer being fitted. 60-spoke light alloy wire wheels were fitted with 6:00 x 15 Dunlop Racing tyres.
DHMC Austin Healey 3000’s entered for the 1963 Sebring 12-hours with their drivers:
54 FAC (No.33) – Bob Olthoff & Ronnie Bucknum.
56 FAC (No.34) – Paddy Hopkirk & Don Morley.
57 FAC (No.35) – Spare Car
Olthoff & Bucknum completing 187 laps, finishing 12th overall and 3rd in Prototype GT class. Hopkirk & Morley completing 166 laps, finishing 26th overall and 4th in class.
In 1964 Donald Healey entered a single Austin Healey 3000 for the 12-hours of Sebring on March 21st. 767 KNX, the lone Works Austin Healey entry was entrusted to Paddy Hopkirk. Fresh from his legendary victory at the Monte Carlo Rally just two months prior, teamed with Canadian Grant Clark. Classed against the Ferrari 250 GTO, the only non-Ferrari in its class in fact, 767 KNX began the race with Hopkirk at the wheel. A puncture nearly ended the race for him, but he miraculously managed to maintain control of the car. Following a pit stop for fresh rubber, Hopkirk played catch-up until handing the wheel to Clark. Driving hard and continuing to try to make up for lost time, it was mere minutes after the driver change that Clark lost control of the car and ended the team's race, with 767 KNX on its roof after 49 laps. Only lightly damaged, the car was sent back to the Works for repairs and sold to its first private owner.
This Sebring replica, PAG 738A is based upon the correct BJ7 variant. Built by a well known Healey specialist over a period of 6 years, this is undoubtably the finest Sebring replica available.
Built on a strengthened new chassis, new inner structure & lightweight alloy body with custom lightweight doors. Excellent panel gaps & paintwork, particular attention was focus on the metalwork to replicate the Sebring 3000’s. The hardtop has been hand fabricated in aluminium to correct specifications.
Fitted with a full steel engine and running on triple Weber 45 carbs , currently producing 240 BHP. The engine will be capable of 300 BHP with a change of camshaft and rolling road adjustments. The gearbox is fitted with Sebring straight cut gears and competition overdrive unit. Fitted with competition front & rear suspension and disc brakes front and rear.
A custom built large capacity foam filled alloy fuel tank sits in the boot area with the filler cap accessed through the rear boot lid.
The interior and cockpit area is sparce to keep the car lightweight and in keeping with the original Sebring cars. The interior is complete with lightweight 100S seats, removable rear roll hoop and an upgraded Smiths large electronic tachometer. The steering wheel is of the woodrim motolita type fitted to the adjustable steering column.
Built Left-hand drive at customers request during build.
A superb platform for a Historic circuit race car or kept as is for show and road driving. A hardly used and well looked after car since completion. A car that must be viewed in person to appreciate the level of detail and build quality.
Supplied with UK V5C registration document, heritage certificate and documents folder.
Complete with 2 Sets of Keys, Thor Hammer, and jack
£155,000.00
For further information on this car or to arrange a viewing or test drive, please contact us on our email address at enquiries@jmehealeys.co.uk or call our workshop on +44 01926 499000