Page 30 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

Best of Both Worlds
Although the 3000 may have had few direct peers, it certainly had serious competition, as both the MGB and TR4 had a significant price advantage, not to mention more modern interiors, rack and pinion steering, and better overall refinement. Faced with this challenge, Austin-Healey started production of the Mark III Sports Convertible (BJ8) in October 1963, which completed the model’s transformation from minimalist roadster to luxury grand tourer.
Because so many modifications were contemplated for the Mark III, they were introduced in two separate tranches across the first half of 1964. Included in the ‘Phase One’ roll-out were an improved cabin that benefited from a quieter exhaust system and better heat insulation, while also featuring an attractive full-width walnut dashboard, locking glove compartment, cubby box at the
rear of the center console, revised instrumentation, Ambla seating surfaces with optional leather, and a center console with an integral armrest. The rear seating area was also redesigned to incorporate a backrest that could fold down to form a carpeted parcel shelf, while the rear window was made removable to increase ventilation on hot days.
In May 1964, the Mark III introduced the ‘Phase Two’ modifications, which arrived without fanfare after only 1,390 examples of the Phase One variant were built. The final iteration of the 3000 formula, these cars featured a revised frame for improved ground clearance, a new rear axle layout, softer springs, revised exhaust, stronger wheel hubs, and larger brakes. By this point the 3000 had matured into an impressively fast sports car, possessing refinement and ride quality levels typically seen only in touring models, which pushed sales to new heights.
TOP LEFT: In all but the roadster variants, the spare tire resided on the trunk floor with the battery located in a well on the opposite side. TOP RIGHT: A new gearbox with a top selector mechanism that was introduced in November 1961 made a center gearchange possible for the first time, dispensing with the side shifter that had been in use since the 100 was introduced almost a decade earlier. ABOVE: The 3000 Mk III BJ8 Phase Two arrived in May 1964 with a redesigned suspension to address the poor ground clearance that had been a feature of Big Healeys since the beginning, which resulted in the car looking like it was riding excessively high in the rear.
28Wayne CariniAffordable Classics