'57 Touring Roadster ready to roll

Description

To the best of my knowledge, this is the history and provenance of this wonderful touring sportster. My custom ‘57 Austin-Healey came off the Longbridge production line on January 30th, 1957, a few months before Austin moved production to Abingdon, UK. One of the few 100/6's destined for the US as a left-hand drive export-model, this car is meant to be toured and revved. On March 9th 1959, the car was sent back to the UK factory and retrofitted with the (then) brand-new 124 H.P. Austin Healey 3000 engine at the factory. This is a factory-retro BT7 Mark 1 3000, done in ’59 - and has the original ’59 engine in it. When this car was done at the factory in ’59, the overdrive was removed and the larger, competition engine (2,912 cc, BT7 3000 Mark 1) was installed and tuned for racing. The original owner wanted the newer, bigger engine with more power, and was motivated by the opportunity to 'factory install' the more powerful engine. Soon after the up-fit, this wonderful car was on board a ship destined for its home in Boston. This Austin-Healey has been in the same family for 40-plus years. This car was recently purchased from the 40+ year's owner’s daughter after the owner passed on. In 1982, a complete body-off restoration, taking approximately 3 years, was completed for her dad - making this car an older restoration. A full book detailing the 1982 restoration is pictured and will be included with the sale. The car recently changed hands and has been kept in a climate controlled garage, having rolled less than 2,000 mile since the restoration. You will not find a better example of this early, big-engine Austin-Healey 3000 anywhere. The frame is near perfect, as is the entire underbody. We can do a FaceTime video chat if you call me first - so I can get the car on a lift for you. This car is really sweet, perfection to a tee, drives like a dream and purrs like a kitten. Large custom restoration book available, as well as many more important, informative documents. In 2009, it was offered for sale at the 'Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey' presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $55,000 and offered without reserve. It remains a wonderful driver and near-concours vehicle. It will be going to auction where I feel it can fetch more than the current asking price. Come spend wonderful days and nights in gorgeous South Carolina when picking up and driving or transporting your vehicle home. Mileage on the car after restoration is @11583. The speedometer was removed for cleaning and accuracy repairs in November 2015. There are some character flaws of the auto - nothing serious, and some things that can be simply repaired, according to your taste. I will include all spare parts, including two wheels with spokes, brake discs, a new top, the frame for the top and everything else that I have fixed, replaced or removed (battery boxes, etc.). I have replaced the alternator, tuned the wheels, installed seat belts, and had the door hinges replaced (old ones were out of line). I have driven this car and it drives great. I have a video if you’re interested. The reason I’m selling is that I don’t feel comfortable in such a fast, low-slung car. Apparently, I’m not a sports car guy. Call Dr. McElveen at 803-351-5253 for specific details.