Vehicle Information
Austin Healey – Chatham-Healey – 1 of only 6 built in 2020
One of only six made by Healey guru John Chatham; lots of upgrades; aluminium body; only 750 miles from build; hard top and soft top; superb condition throughout
This fabulous Big Healey is one of six cars specially made in 2020 by Healey specialist John Chatham of South Gloucestershire.
The aim of the build was to create the perfect fast road spec Healey 3000 with modern upgrades in the spirit of the works Sebring cars. In the process John Chatham addressed almost every known weakness of the Healey model; making this a much stronger, tighter, faster car than almost any other Healey around.
As the Heritage Certificate confirms, the donor vehicle was a RHD UK-market 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk1 BT7. This car was completely dismantled and rebuilt into the wonderful specimen you see today. The exact spec is too detailed to list in full here, but is nicely covered in John Chatham build sheets on file.
The chassis was fully restored and upgraded with strengthened chassis rails, suspension mounts and engine mounts. Heavy duty floor panels and inner sill sections were incorporated, along with additional strengthening around the lower front shroud. The outriggers were modified to fit a tailored exhaust system with bespoke mounting points to keep it securely in place.
The wings are bespoke items made from aluminium with distinctive triangular vents in the front wings and all four wheel arches mildly flared to incorporate larger wheels and tyres. The front grille is also a bespoke item with 3000 S badging and additional radiator ducting. The bonnet has external safety catches in the style of the 100 S. Special attention was paid to door gaps and panel alignments, the whole car being protected with waxoil treatment internally and externally during the build process. The car is finished in ICI two-pack British Racing Green with a fibreglass hard top finished in Old English White.
The 3-litre engine has been fully rebuilt to fast road spec (c.230bhp) with uprated camshaft; higher compression; balanced crank assembly/con rods/pistons; lightened flywheel with diaphragm clutch; aluminium cylinder head and rocker box; triple 1.75” SU carbs; six-branch tubular exhaust manifold; bespoke stainless steel exhaust; 123 electronic distributor; alternator conversion; high torque starter motor; oil cooler and remote oil filter; five-blade cooling fan; high efficiency radiator; electronic fuel pump; aluminium bulkhead etc.
The gearbox is a centre-change four-speed Healey unit with uprated overdrive and works-style overdrive switch on the alloy gearknob. It has a lightweight fibreglass transmission tunnel to assist heat dissipation with extra heat shields for protection.
Axle and brake features include: torque bias limited slip differential; 3.9:1 final drive ratio; servo assisted front disc brakes with Type 16 Healey brake calipers and EBC Green Stuff pads; rear drum brakes; Goodrich aeroquip hoses; internal ducting for vulnerable pipework etc.
Suspension includes uprated anti-roll bar; 650lb front springs; 30% uprated shock absorbers, Spax adjustable at the rear. Steering is the standard Healey 3000 box/set-up. It rides on 72-spoke 15” Cobra wire wheels shod with Avon tyres and a narrower ‘space saver’ spare wheel in the boot.
Other features include: heated front windscreen; bespoke competition wiring harness with all wiring protected by bespoke internal ducting as required; battery kill switch; column-mounted indicator switch with main beam flash and horn push; electric screen wash pump; aluminium sill coverings to protect cables and pipework; front spot lamps mounted on bespoke aluminium brackets with built-in tow eyes; works-style rear bumpers; 18-gallon long-range aluminium fuel tank; Monza-style alloy fuel filler cap.
The interior features 100 S-style seats finished in quilted red leather with enhanced lateral support; quilted Hydura trim coverings; leather/Hydura door cards; woodrim steering wheel with bespoke 3000 S centre; bespoke dash switches; standard modern safety belts; chrome door mirrors and dash-mounted rear-view mirror. A tonneau cover and an indoor car cover are also included, along with a wheel-changing kit and a factory workshop manual.
Originally purchased at John Chatham in 2021 (for considerably more than our asking price). It has only covered 750 miles from build and, as you can see in the photos, it is still in excellent condition throughout and has been starting promptly and running beautifull.
Classed as a Historic Vehicle, it is free to tax and MOT-exempt but has a current MOT valid until March 2024 with no advisories recorded.
A really gorgeous car all round, it is exactly the sort of thing that any true petrolhead would love to have in their garage.
