In May of 1961 BMC upgraded their flagship model with three SU HS4 carburetors, modified valve springs and a new camshaft. Called the MKII, it was an alternative to the Triumph TR3A or Jaguar E-Type.
The MKII was initially offered as an occasional 4-seat roadster called the BT7 or the 2-seat variant from known as the BN7. Both versions used flat front windscreens and detachable side curtains in the style of a roadster. The rear panel of the BT7 was cut out much deeper towards the truck to make room of the small jumper seats in the rear. As a result, almost all the road race and rally cars were built on the BN7 platform.
Later cars came equipped with a center-located top-loader transmission and a fiberglass transmission tunnel. Of these the BN7, top-loader is an especially rare and desirable combination.
Like the earlier 3000s, the MKII featured BMC’s C-Series six-cylinder engine with a 4-speed + overdrive gearbox. It used a separate ladder-type frame and a steel body.
Production of the MKII BN7 was very limited to only 355 cars. The BT7 4-seat roadster vastly outsold it at 5,096 units. A BT7 with hardtop and overdrive cost £1362 including the hefty British taxes.
MKII configuration changed significantly in 1962 with the introduction of the BJ7 Sports Convertible. It replaced both models with a fully-collapsible soft top, wind-up windows and a curved front window. This modernized the car substantially and the BJ7 is more desirable as a touring car.
Options on the MKII included 15×4 chromed wire wheels, a brake servo system and a tonneau cover that could be opened for just the driver.
Story by Supercars.net
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1961 – 1962 |
| built at | Abington, England |
| price $ | $ 3,699 |
| engine | Straight-6 |
| position | Front, Longitunal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| ignition | Lucas E1 Distributor |
| block material | Cast Iron |
| valvetrain | Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Tripple SU HS4 Carburetors |
| displacement | 2912 cc / 177.7 in³ |
| bore | 83.3 mm / 3.28 in |
| stroke | 88.9 mm / 3.5 in |
| compression | 9.03:1 |
| power | 98.4 kw / 132 bhp @ 4750 rpm |
| specific output | 45.33 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 122.45 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 226.42 nm / 167.0 ft lbs @ 3000 rpm |
| body / frame | Steel Body w/Aluminum Panels over Steel Ladder-Type Frame |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| front tires | 5.9×15 |
| rear tires | 5.9×15 |
| front brakes | Girling Discs |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| r brake size | 57.1 x 279.4 mm / 2.25 x 11 in |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x -1.0 cm / 15 x -1.0 in |
| steering | Cam & Peg |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Shock Absorber, Stabilzer Bar |
| r suspension | Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1078 kg / 2375 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2340 mm / 92.1 in |
| front track | 1240 mm / 48.8 in |
| rear track | 1270 mm / 50.0 in |
| length | 4000 mm / 157.5 in |
| width | 1540 mm / 60.6 in |
| height | 1240 mm / 48.8 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single Dry Plate |
| gear ratios | 2.93:1, 2.05:1, 1.31:1, 1.00:1 |
| top speed | ~185.1 kph / 115.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~11.0 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~36.0 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~17.0 seconds |
| combined fuel econ eu | 12 L/100 km or 19.60 mpg-us |
Auction Sales History
Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction 2015 by Bonhams
1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II BN7 H-BN7-L/17812 – sold for $203,500 One of Only 355 Examples of the Two-Seat, Tri-Carb BN7 Model. Restored by Marque Specialist Healey Lane of Riverside, California. Striking Presentation and Fabulous Visual Appeal.Auction Source: 2014 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II BN7 H-BN7-L/14164 – sold for $170,500 The rarest production model, with just 355 built. Matching-numbers example; finished in stunning grey metallic and red. Only test miles since frame-off restoration. British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate.Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions
1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BN7 HBT7/13716 –
As a 1961 model, this beautifully restored two-seater Austin-Healey Mk I is a rare sight. Rarer still, it was built for the UK market in right- hand-drive configuration. Though reporting of production numbers varies slightly among sources, it is possible that as few as 17 such home- market examples were built in 1961 prior to the introduction of the 3000 Mk II. Although the BMI Hertiage certificate confirms that this car is a BN7, the original data tag was incorrectly stamped HBT7.Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction 2012 by Gooding & Company
1961 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II BN7 Deluxe Roadster – sold for $123,750 A very desirable “tri-carb, center-shift” two-seat model. Extremely rare as one of 355 produced and one of 132 exported to the USA. Complete restoration by Healey Lane with a one-year driveline warranty. Accompanied by a BMIHT certificate and documented in the Tri-Carb Registry.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM
1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark II BN7 –
This wonderfully presented Austin-Healey continues to shine with its eye-catching two-tone finish. The car is among the last of the 355 Mark II BN7 examples built and one of considerably few that feature both the top shift gearbox and tri-carburetor induction. It is accompanied by a restored factory hardtop, original manuals, a DVD documenting its restoration and a certificate of authenticity from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. Also available, at buyer’s shipping expense, is the original engine block. This handsome and powerful Austin-Healey is a striking example of one of Britain’s most admired post-war sports cars.Auction Source: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company
1962 Austin-Healey 3000 MkII Rally Car HBN718704
Property of a titled gentleman, the ex-works, Seigle-Morris, Makinen, Hopkirk, Morley twins. This ex-works BMC rally team ‘Big Healey’ is understood to be the sole surviving 1962 Team car. ’67 ARX’ was one of a series of five cars built by the works in 1962 with registration numbers respectively ’37’, ’47’, ’57’, ’67’ and ’77 ARX’. Three (’37’, ’57’ and ’77’) were written off in 1963 and one, ’47 ARX’, in 1964.Auction Source: 2010 Collectors’ Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams
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