1963 Austin Healey 3000 Convertible MK2 BJ7 Easy Project

One of the most desirable models of the Austin Healeys and my favorite. Incorporates modern conveniences like roll up windows, easy one handed fold down top, powerful 6 cylinder engine, center shift all syncro gearbox1963, etc. but still retains that beautiful old classic all steel dash with the light tan/silver gauges. This is a 1963 Austin Healey BJ7 MK2 with a very late model 1967 Austin Healey BJ8 engine. In my opinion the later cars with the wood dash and other visual changes lost some of the classic sporting appeal. They got a fatter, more touring like look.
The British Heritage Certificate shows that the original color was black with a red interior and black convertible top and was equipped from the factory with wire wheels, overdrive transmission, heater, adjustable steering column, laminated windscreen and road speed tyres.
ENGINE:
The original owner wanted more power late in his ownership and replaced the 63 BJ7 (29FRUH/2580) engine with a fresh 1967 BJ8 motor (29KRUH/14499). The engine number (14499) puts it at the very last of the BJ8 motors, which has the highest horsepower output of any of the Healey engines. Nice and tight, smooth and quiet, no noises. Starts and runs fine on all cylinders. New water pump. New fan belt. Carburetors are original HD8's. Engine number is 29KRU/H14499.
TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH:
The gearbox is the original matching numbers center shift 4 speed all syncro Laycock Overdrive unit. Works perfectly in all gears, syncros are excellent. Overdrive works fine. No noises, no glitches, no leaks (yes, it is full of fresh oil). All smooth and quiet. Clutch works perfectly and smoothly. Clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder and hose are brand new.
FUEL SYSTEM:
All original. Gas tank was removed and cleaned, as were the original steel fuel lines and connectors from the tank to the carburetors. Original SU fuel pump was rebuilt. HD8 carburetors were cleaned and adjusted with new main jets installed.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT:
Very nice and original as shown. Nothing missing. Everything else looks to be 1963 factory original and intact.
BRAKES/SUSPENSION/WHEELS/TIRES:
New brake master cylinder, new rear wheel cylinders, front brake calipers rebuilt with new seals and pistons, all new rubber hydraulic lines. Emergency brake lubed and adjusted - works well. Suspension is all original and intact. Original wire wheels (5 with spare). The prehistoric tires hold air and need to be replaced.
SHEET METAL/BODY PANELS:
The sheet metal body panels overall are in good condition, described as follows: From the windshield on back the metal is in good solid condition with the exception of the typical dog leg rust on the lower rear fenders as shown. The rockers are very solid, the bottoms of the doors are very solid and rust free, still with original factory black paint. Bottoms of the fenders are solid. Doors open and close nicely with no droop/sag. Side windows roll up and down. Floors are still the originals having scale rust on top and a hole near the drivers footwell. Outriggers should be patched or replaced - or left alone if you don't care. It had a fender bender long ago and left the first 8 inches or so of the fenders at the headlights with some easily repaired crumple damage. It also left the front shroud in very poor condition, which will require major repair work.
INTERIOR/UPHOLSTERY:
Redone once years ago and needs redoing again. Original factory interior color was red.
DASH AREA:
All original gauges look very nice. Tachometer works and is good working unit but is not functional because it is mechanical and the BJ8 engine requires an electric tach. Speedometer works - odometer shows 42630. Oil pressure gauge works - good oil pressure. Fuel gauge works. Water temperature gauge works. Runs nice and cool. Heater motor works. Windshield wipers work. Manual choke works. I think the generator works - it was removed, cleaned, tested and it worked on the bench. Turn signals do not flash but the entire steering wheel mounted unit is good, solid, not loose and works correctly. It's in the wiring or bulbs. Not working: horns, radio.
PAINT:
Original color is black. Has only the original coat and one repaint. It was repainted in the original black color one time.
TRUNK COMPARTMENT:
Quite nice. Still has most of the Armacord. No rust except for one hole on the left side well bottom. Original fuel tank was removed and cleaned. New 12 volt battery. Battery safety switch works.
UNDERCARRIAGE/CHASSIS:
Very nice frame. Straight and undamaged as shown. Still has some of the original factory black paint on it.
EXHAUST:
Needs exhaust system. We added a couple of old mufflers to the downpipes so the noise would be muffled a bit. Didn't help much.
GLASS:
Original glass is all intact. Scratches on side windows and one small stone chip on the windshield.
TOP/FRAME:
Needs a new softtop but the frame assembly is completely intact with good hardware and operates up and down perfectly. Only needs a softtop.